Key Figures and Historical Shifts in Christian History

St. Francis of Assisi

Born in 1182 in Assisi, a small village in central Italy. In 1202, during the war between the towns of Assisi and Perugia, he was taken prisoner for more than a year. One day, he encountered a leper who sought alms and gave him a kiss; for him, it was like an encounter with Jesus. From then on, his conversion began. "Francisco, rebuild my church."

Lady Poverty

His first companion was Bernard of Quintavalle, a wealthy merchant of Assisi who sold all he had to give to the poor.

The Great Schisms

Schism of the East

The separation between the Latin Church and the Greek Church grew increasingly wider. The rupture between the two churches materialized in 1054 when the Patriarch Michael Cerularius ordered the closure of Latin monasteries in the East.

Schism of the West

In the 14th century, upon the death of Pope Gregory XI, an Italian pope, Urban VI, was chosen. The French cardinals, at odds with this, rejected the election and proclaimed Pope Clement VII, who resided in Avignon. Both popes excommunicated each other. Christendom was divided into what is called the Western Schism.

St. Teresa of Avila

Born in 1515 in the city of Avila to noble Castilian parents. At age 15, her parents sent her to the convent of the Augustinians of Avila. A good friend of God, she founded the convent of San Jose in the city of Avila with the help of one of her brothers and other religious figures.

Luther and the Reformation

Luther was one of the protagonists of the religious and political events of the 16th century. Luther argued that:

• Every person, not the Church, is the sole interpreter of Scripture.
• The only thing that saves is faith in God, not good works.
• The cult of saints, the Virgin, and indulgences must be suppressed.
• There are only two valid sacraments: Baptism and Eucharist.
• The hierarchy has no power in the Church.

The Court of the Inquisition

This arose when civil and religious powers sought out heretics. Those accused by the Inquisition were interrogated, sometimes through torture. Civil power supported these intolerant actions because they also served their own purposes.

Spanish Mysticism

St. Teresa of Avila

She took mysticism to its maximum literary expression. Among her mystical writings is The Interior Castle (Las Moradas). She was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1970.