| uk.abstract.en | This book, dedicated to the pre-baptismal catecheses of Quodvultdeus of Carthage, focuses on
this bishop’s quest to prepare well his catechumens for baptism and to introduce them to a
deeper meaning of what the Christians gathered in the Church believed and celebrated. In
doing so, Quodvultdeus did not limit himself to celebrating the rite with them, but his preparation
was much more thorough. To deliver such a pre-baptismal, mystagogical catechesis, he
had theological grounds to do so. Nine of these catecheses — Contra Iudaeos, Paganos, et Arrianos,
De symbolo I–III, De cantico novo, De ultima quarta feria, De cataclysmo, and De accedentibus
ad gratiam I–II — are particularly considered in this monograph. The book takes a
theological perspective, using also the multidisciplinary approach inherent to today’s Patristic
studies, returning to the findings of late ancient history, archaeology, philosophy, history of
art, history of religion, philology, and other disciplines. A historical overview and the setting
of Quodvultdeus’s works are considered essential for the comprehension and theological interpretation
of Quodvultdeus’s works.
The book is divided into three parts. The first of these parts offers a panorama of the historical
and religious situation of North Africa, particularly in the 430s, with Quodvultdeus’s
life and writings attributed to him, and with Augustine’s care for the catechumens. Chapter
One deals with the arrival of the Vandals to North Africa and with the religious situation of
this part of the world in the 430s. Chapter Two presents Quodvultdeus’s life and work, which
is also essential for dating Quodvultdeus’s works and for asserting their authenticity. Chapter
Three presents the ancient institution of the catechumenate as the period of preparation for
baptism in the life and work of Augustine, friend and master of Quodvultdeus.
Part Two begins with dealing specifically with Quodvultdeus’s pre-baptismal catecheses.
In this part, a thorough examination of the catechumenate institutions in Quodvultdeus’s Carthage,
as present in his pre-baptismal catecheses, is offered. The aim of Chapter Four is to
investigate the initial period of the entrance into the catechumenate and the first stage of the
catechumenate that would culminate with giving one’s name for baptism several weeks before
Easter. Chapter Five pays attention to those pre-baptismal rites where Quodvultdeus’s
discourses offer more material than any other Patristic document: the scrutiny, including exorcisms
and renunciation of the devil, his pomps, and angels, and the handing over of the
baptismal creed (traditio symboli). Chapter Six is devoted to the time of preparation immediately
before the baptism, as witnessed by the two sermons De ultima quarta feria and De cataclysmo,
which include very powerful typologies that led the audience to understand the
meaning of the baptism they were to receive.
Part Three turns the attention towards what Quodvultdeus tried to achieve in his ministry
of a bishop. Chapter Seven concentrates upon the means he used to build up and educate the
community of his Church. It presents his ecclesiology and also two methods he used in his
catechesis: the typological exegesis of the Bible and the mystagogical method which taught
them how to perceive the invisible realities present beyond the visible signs in the reality they
were going to enter. Chapter Eight tries to portray how Quodvultdeus set limits to his community,
trying to keep them safe from anything that could endanger their prospect of salvation
and eternal life. Although Quodvultdeus cannot be considered an original philosopher
and theologian, his real qualities as a bishop emerge, as he tries to prepare the candidates of
baptism for a life of faith in a world tossed by the chaos of social changes, fear, dismay, and
angst of what was to come, offering them not only a sense of belonging to the true Church but
also an eschatological hope. | cs_CZ |
