Well, since we are celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception today, I thought it would be a good time to give a long overdue mention of our John Duns Scotus DVD called “Blessed Duns Scotus, Defender of the Immaculate Conception” which is now available with English subtitles exclusively through Ignatius Press.
The inspiring true story of the holy Franciscan priest and theologian who won a famous debate against the Dominicans in the 13th century in which he defended Our Lady’s great privilege of her Immaculate Conception, laying the groundwork for the Church to later define that as a dogma of the Catholic faith. Filmed in beautiful ancient monastery locations in Europe, Scotus is revealed as a humble and courageous apostle of the Faith against the oppressive anti-Catholic government in power. His public defense of the papacy as the head of the Church eventually got him thrown out of the country.
An important film for Americans since the Immaculate Conception is the Patroness of the USA, this acclaimed feature film stars Italian actor Adriano Braidotti in an award-winning performance as Blessed John Duns Scotus, who was Beatified by John Paul II. The movie won major awards for Best Movie and Best Actor at the 2011 International Catholic Film Festival.
This DVD contains the following language options: Italian with English and Spanish subtitles
This is a Region 1 DVD (playable ONLY in Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, United States and U.S. territories).
Homily #111108 (09min) Play – On this Memorial of Bl. John Duns Scotus, Fr. Bonaventure preaches on the teaching of this Marian Doctor, especially the Immaculate Conception which was formally adopted as a Dogma by Bl. Pope Pius IX in his Bull Ineffabilis Deus on December 8, 1854.
Ave Maria!
Mass: Bl. John Duns Scotus – Opt Mem – Form: OF
Readings: Tuesday 32nd Week of Ordinary Time
1st: wis 2:23-3:9
Resp: psa 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19
Gsp: luk 17:7-10
Variety #173 – statue of Blessed John Duns Scotus in Cassino, Italy (7min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
In honor of the feast of one of the patrons of our FI house of studies (S.T.I.M.) here in Italy, we present this video of the Holy Mass celebrated in 2010 in Rome in the extraordinary form, with our co-founder Father Gabriele. It’s a mixture of highlights and music from the Mass, as well as some thoughts from our blessed scholastic philosopher/theologian, who died in 1308. The text is in both Italian and English.
Yes, we did win the ‘Silver Fish Award’ at the Vatican’s International Catholic Film Festival in the categories of Best Film, and Best Actor/Actress. This is for the feature length motion picture titled “Duns Scoto” on the life of Bl. John Duns Scotus that the FI’s in Italy produced in conjunction with TVCO. Not bad for our first feature length video. Well done Fr. Alfonso Bruno and team! Deo Gratias!
Here is the English trailer from TVCO:
You can see more on this film Duns Scoto with these AirMaria articles:
Fi News #73 – Duns Scoto, trailer of the dramatic film of the life of Bl. John Duns Scotus (14min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
As part of our grand finale for our Scotus Month we have a repost of the trailer for the feature length film we recently completed on the life of Bl. John Duns Scotus. It is in Italian but there should be a DVD available in the US with English subtitles early 2011.
The FIs in Italy have finished their first trailer for the feature length film Duns Scoto on the life of Blessed John Duns Scotus that we mentioned in an earlier post. It is more of a behind-the-scenes view of the making of the movie. All the actual footage of the movie is raw with the time stamp running. But it powerfully shows the magnitude of the project and how beautiful and dramatic the finished edition will be. Yes, it is in Italian. We hope to get an English subtitled version out soon. Enjoy!
Short Series #31 – Tradition in Scotus’ Mariology ( 40min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
Since yesterday’s post for Scotus Month was on the radical Christology of Scotus, and is the firm basis for his Mariology, this is a natural post to follow up and lead us to tomorrow’s grand feast of the Immaculate Conception which Scotus was so famous for defending, and so central to the Franciscans of the Immaculate. The audio is a bit low at first but gets better.
In the seventh presentation at our International Centenary Symposium on the Mariology of Bl. John Duns Scotus held in Durham, England, Fr. Peter discusses the source of tradition present in the Mariology of Bl. John Duns Scotus.
Short Series #26 – The Christocentrism of Bl. John Duns Scotus and its Implications for Mariology (40min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
In this repost for our Scotus Month (ending on the Immaculate Conception, Dec 8th) we delve into the radical Christocentrism of Bl. John Duns Scotus that provides the theological basis for the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and this puts the lie to the idea that giving honor to Mary is synonymous with downplaying Christ.
In the second presentation at our International Centenary Symposium on the Mariology of Bl. John Duns Scotus held in Durham, England, Fr. Johannes Schneider, OFM, discusses the Christocentrism of Bl. John Duns Scotus and its implications for Mariology. Fr. Johannes’ presentation is read by Fr. Peter D. Felhner, F.I.
Conferences #113 – Fr. Ondrako gives the final lecture (61min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
The final lecture for the Newman-Scotus Symposium is given by Rev. Dr. Edward Ondrako, OFMConv. titled: Intuition and Certitude: Newman and Scotus Anticipate Liberal Christianity and Modern Voluntarism
Fr Edward Ondrako explores how Scotus anticipated the theology and thinking of Newman and both of them anticipated [and gave an orthodox rebuttal to] much of modern theology. He ties this to the balance that Pope Benedict is advocating between a continuity with the doctrinal tradition on the one hand and the relating it to the modern culture on the other. (more…)
Conferences #112 – Sr. Ingham gives the keynote address (59min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
The keynote address for Newman-Scotus Symposium the is given by Sr. Mary Beth Ingham who advocates for a shift of our concept of rational activity from an intellectual centrality to that of the will along the lines of Scotus who is the most famous of the Franciscan masters.
Notes:
Anselm comodi and justistia two desires of our rational self. Comodi for personal health, happiness. Justisia is a desire for justice, good for goodness itself. both of these things need to be pursued. Anselm and Scotus believe that these two must work together in order for us to be different from the animals. (more…)
Conferences #105 – Fr. Peter in his Second Lecture for the Symposium (64min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
Lecture 5 of the Newman-Scotus Symposium is by Rev. Dr. Fehlner: Scotus and Newman in Dialogue: Examples of Scotistic Affinities in Newman, the Will, the Critical Question (of Interiorization) and Faith
Fr. Peter first comments on Dr. Noone’s last talk that Newman and Scotus disagrees with each other on process of assent. But this is not the starting point. Going to God given the differences is difficulty. Scotus term simplicite simplex, Perfect being, that is God and so radically different. But they have a common starting point in their Christology and Mariology.
Fr. Peter mentions:
Key is to find where Newman fits in the Franciscan view (more…)
Conferences #104 – Dr. Timothy Noone (49min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
Lecture 5 of the Newman-Scotus Symposium is by Dr. Noone: Bl. Duns Scotus and Bl. John Newman on Knowledge, Assent, and Faith
Dr. Noone basis his lecture on Scotus’ Tenet Philosphi Perfectionem Naturae addressing the need for natural and supernatural knowledge in faith and the place for each. Scotus teaches that natural intellect can come to some knowledge of God but cannot come to certainty that God is truly Triune and that we are destined to enjoy the beatific vision of Him. A person can however at least understand what these concepts are saying.
Scotus deals with Philosophers pointing out the limits of their reasoning and conclusions and to use persuasion to show the continuity of the different elements of faith and so demonstrate its credibility. Some consider Scotus to be skeptical on this point but he is simply exhibiting his concern to maintain the distinction and coherence between reason and faith.
Newmanesque Intimations – Acquired natural faith is when we believe others on a natural level like the fact that Rome exists even if we have never seen it. This relates to Newman’s arguments that we accept that England is an island even without rowing around it, also, similarly argued by Augustine.
Dr. Noone then covers Scotus’ teaching on infused faith, how we believe with certainty, experiencing the higher forms of assent. He first outlines other forms of knowledge showing how complete Scotus’ analysis typically is. He then covers many points of comparison and contrast between Scotus and Newman.
Q and A
Fr Ed points out for reflection, if no universities start any earlier than Kant for philosophy and leave out Medieval Philosophyentirely, then how can we prepare our seminarians for ministry? And there are other interesting questions as well.
Conferences #101 – Rev. Dr. John Ford (08min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
Newman-Scotus Symposium – Deacon John Sullivan asks what role illumination plays in the intellect.
Dr. Ford answers by calling this the eureka moment where many different peaces of information comes together into one sudden insight that brings it all together in one coherent picture. Newman speaks of taking a view, and that this leads to a need for action to follow through by conversion and to show others this new view.
Follow up question, how do know if this new view or eureka moment is true?
Dr. Ford answers by saying there is no formula to know. But only points to the need to include the need for the will being involved in the process of inference.
Conferences #100 – Dr. Noone answering questions at the Newman-Scotus Symposium (16min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
Newman-Scotus Symposium – Fr. Ed Ondrako asks how we might implement what the Pope asked for, to reconnect will and intellect?
Dr. Noone answers that the problem is rooted in Descartes by disassociating will from intellect. He was aware of Scotus and used his thoughts but ultimately subverted them. He covers the progress from Descartes and even sketches the reasons why Scotus is blamed due to misconceptions about him.
Fr. Ed adds that it is very heard to stay clear of misconceptions.
Dr. Noone reflects on the rarity of authors and philosophers to be free of preconceptions and pints to the exception of Etienne Gilson who saw right past the heavy bias against Scotus in the 1920′s and 30′s. And that it is sad that Scotus is not included in the great books program.
Fr. Ed further reflects on how this exposes a lack of knowledge of medieval history.
Sr. Mary Beth Ingham reflects on how challenging Scotus is to modern impoverished notions of thought and intellectual activity and even the notion of the person. Scotus does not hold to a real distinction between Intellect and will whereas Aquinas did have this distinction and led to a rather strict separation between the two.
Conferences #99 – Fr. Peter on Scotus and the Heart (20min) >>> Play
Ave Maria!
Newman-Scotus Symposium – What is meant by Heart in Scotus, Bonaventure and the Franciscan tradition? Fr. Peter answers this question. Heart in Augustine really means the essence of a person. And this is used very similarly in Bonaventure in the Itinerarium with the interiorization. Father goes into considerable detail outlining the use of the world by Augustine, Bonaventure, Francis de Sales, Aquinas, and generally in the Franciscan school. He points out that the Franciscans make a strong distinction between doctrine and spirituality. St.Margaret Mary Alaquoqe, St. John Eudes, Two Hearts and Sacred Hearts which is related to the Church which is from Duns Scotus. He relates this to Scotus’ teaching of the absolute primacy of Christ. The devotion to the hearts of Jesus and Mary popularizes the scotistic teaching.
Audio (MP3)
