Reflections On The Study Of Church History:
Understanding The
Past - Insight For The Future
by Gerald Laba, C.P.
As the recent works of various members of the Congregation have shown, the study of Passionist history and spirituality can provide valuable insights into the origin and development of our mission and charism while serving as a guide or point of reference for the future. With regard to the presence of the community in North America, similar kinds of study may help to determine future directions and goals as we are increasingly called to refine our understanding of mission and to collaborate in the work of the local Church.
My own interest in the history of the Church and of the Congregation grew during the years in which I was privileged to work in the newly created inter-Province Novitiate program. Aspects of religious life, the vows, liturgy, and spirituality were subjects for many study sessions and for group reflection. Often, the issue or question of development in all of these areas would spark interest and questions, especially in regard to spirituality, communal and personal. Given a particular period of history, what were the conditions serving as a background to this development? What were catalysts? Was this development part of a wider or long-standing movement? Which individuals or groups were most involved? How did this development express itself in prayer, liturgy, and apostolic service?
As these and other questions surfaced repeatedly over the years, I began to realize the critical role of history in understanding the development of the Church's life in all of its aspects. It was at this point that, given the opportunity for a sabbatical year, I decided to pursue the study of Church History at Catholic University (CU). It proved to be a great introduction to many dimensions of this fascinating subject. After returning to full-time ministry for a few years, I was again given the opportunity to pursue studies and to continue in the program at CU.
In dealing with so many of the details of historical research, several underlying, more general themes have continued to surface reinforcing my belief in the importance of this area of study, not only to learn about the past but also to think about the future. The first simply points to the clear relationship between historical development and the development of spirituality, religious life, prayer, and apostolate in the life of the Church. The second highlights the importance of contextualization when dealing with any historical moment. The third is a recognition of the importance of sources which emerge from the past and which, at this moment, are being created for the future. And finally, there is an awareness that prevailing, popular views often do not tell the entire story.
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