An Outline of the Theology of Sacraments According to Ph. J. Rosato: Its Relevance and Potential for Current Ecclesial Context Cover Image

Náčrt teológie sviatostí podľa Ph. J. Rosata, jej aktuálnosť a inšpiratívny potenciál pre súčasný ekleziálny kontext
An Outline of the Theology of Sacraments According to Ph. J. Rosato: Its Relevance and Potential for Current Ecclesial Context

Author(s): Ľubomír Hlad
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Pastoral Theology
Published by: VERBUM - vydavateľstvo Katolíckej univerzity v Ružomberku
Keywords: Sacramental theology; Prophetic gestures; Sacramental grace; Orthopraxis; Transcreation; Transsocialization; Philip. J Rosato; Pope Francis

Summary/Abstract: The year 2021 brought several reasons to remember the Rev. Philip J. Rosato, a Jesuit priest and longtime professor of sacramental theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1979-2004). The particular occasion was the tenth anniversary of his death (July 20, 2011) and the eightieth anniversary of his birth (July 7, 1941). The biographical dates also include thirty years since the publication of his most widely read work: An Introduction to the Theology of the Sacraments (Introduzione alla teologia dei sacramenti, 1992). The pastoral visit of Pope Francis to Slovakia (12.9.-15.9.2021) offered an additional reason to remember him. His words on the vocation of Christians not to hoard bread but to share it strikingly recall the essence of Rosatos’ sacramental doctrine. It is the thesis that the foundation of Christian orthopraxis lies in the sacramental liturgy, which is a pneumatic recollection and re-presentation of Jesus‘ prophetic gestures (gestures in favor of justice and gestures of self-giving culminated on Calvary) into which the faithful are grafted. At the same time, they are encouraged by sacramental grace to live in conformity with the ethical dimension of the gesture, walking toward the full realization of the Father‘s kingdom. Rosato’s sacramental theology, emphasizing the ethical dimension of sacramental grace, was formulated in response to the ongoing sacramental crisis of the Western Church. If the focus of Pope‘s messages are diverse variations on the theme of active protagonism of justice, hope, compassion, reconciliation, solidarity, fidelity, or service that spring from the contemplation of the cross - the founding principle of all the sacraments of the Church and their efficacy - then the theological concept of sacramentality by Ph. J. Rosato receives from his fellow Jesuit a certain implicit recognition. The study is divided into three parts (anamnestic, indicative-explanatory and prognostic); its purpose is to recall the personality of Ph. J. Rosato, his theology and the interpretation of the focal points of his sacramental theology, as well as a prognostic outline of the significance of an ethically designed sacramental theology for the Church in the time of the new evangelization and pastoral conversion.

  • Issue Year: XXI/2022
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 37-62
  • Page Count: 26
  • Language: Slovak