Theory of the religious and art education in contemporary research E-Book

Tomáš Jablonský

• Herausgeber: EDUCatt
• Kategorie: Bildung
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014

Beschreibung

Man is created by God, as the unity of matter and of the Spirit. These two facts cannot be separated from each other, in order that they will not disrupt the integrity wanted by God. Man needs to nurture and express his spiritual dimension and that happens mainly through science and art. It is not just about the cultivation of some human skill, or – the developing of a certain hobby, but about the overall development of a person who, through scientific reflection and art, has opened himself into transcendence, and to eternal values, God’s values. Each piece of authentic knowledge and authentic art has in fact a transcendent dimension. With this belief in the transcendence of human knowledge and artistic creativity is linked the idea that human scientific and artistic activities are like an image of God’s demiurgic activity. This is even more true for the art that educates a new generation, the art that is very closely related to knowledge and education. Today’s high-technology society understands educational subjects only as a supplement, little often required and useful. In primary schools, Religious Education and Music are in last place, Music is even absent in the programs of secondary schools, and it is also being reduced from the curricula of future teachers, at universities. The results of which, are candidate teachers who, at the universities, must be taught the musical alphabet – the notes. The technocrats managing our society, underestimate the importance of the ethical and aesthetic development of young people, which is then uncritically thrown at a subculture, killing the ability to perceive the true values and true beauty within it. The miscellany that you have in your hands contains contributions from the areas of religion and music education. It is the result of the efforts of young people, promising researching, scientific and pedagogical workers, within the school system. I believe that for many readers it will become a source of new knowledge, or at least a stimulus for speculation. prof. ass. ThDr. Lic. Rastislav Adamko, PhD., m. prof. CU Tratto dall'Introduzione

Leseprobe

Editors

Prof. PhDr. PaedDr. Tomáš Jablonský, PhD., m. prof. CU

Dr. Dušan Kováč-Petrovský, PhD

Review

Prof. ThDr. ICDr. PaedDr. František Dlugoš, PhD

Prof. ass. ThDr. Art. Lic. Rastislav Adamko, PhD., m. prof. CU

© 2013 EDUCatt - Ente per il Diritto allo Studio Universitario dell’Università Cattolica

Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milan – tel. [phone] – fax [phone]

e-mail: [email protected] (produzione); [email protected] (distribuzione)

web: www.educatt.it/libri

Associato all’AIE – Associazione Italiana Editori

ISBN edizione cartacea: 978-88-6780-059-9

ISBN edizione PDF: 978-88-6780-065-0

ISBN edizione ePub: 978-88-6780-693-5

copertina: progetto grafico Studio Editoriale EDUCatt

Contents

Introduction

Didactics of Religion

Marcela Čarnická

Mariánska Hora in Levoča, after 1989

Silvia Kaščáková

Symbol and Metaphor in the Bible and in Literature

Milan Kandráč

Catechetical Model of Early Christian Hymnographyand its Application in the Subject of Religious Education

Jozef Koválik

Jozef Tomanóczy, Priest and Pedagogue

Róbert Slotka

University Pastoral Work in Slovakia, in the Past and Present

Roman Víglaský

Štefan Klubert, Priest and Pedagogue, Persecuted by the Political Regime

Peter Pitoniak

The Role of Chirstian Parents to Raise their Children to be Responsiblealso for Public Affairs

Anna Vaľková

The Implementation of the Cross-Area Topic of Media Education

Dominika Pažítková

The Pedagogical Activity and Moral Education of L.N. Tolstoy

Stanislava Kružliaková

Spiritual Development of Slovakia Led by Frantisek Tondra

Katarina Niznanska

Pedagogical Diagnostics at Catholic School Using Cognitive Scheme

Marta Oravcova

Actural Liturgy of Holy Week

Dariusz Żuk-Olszewski

Missionary Work and Methods of Catechization ofSt. Maximilan Maria Kolbe in Japan

Andrea Starchoňová – Nadežda Stollárová

Ethical Relativism in the Area of Performing Assisted Reproductions

Anna Nemcová – Mária Migrová

Assistant Teacher as a Significant Factor in the Educational Process

Jaan Zaher – Kristína Králiková – Jozef Králik

Realization of Right to Education in Afganistan 2001-2011

Didactics of Music

Blanka Pavlovičová

French Way of Ornamenting Music in the 16th-18th Centuryas Grounds for Mastering Manners of Baroque Music

Katarína Kováčová

Composers and their Relationship to Music

Matej Bartoš

The Analysis of the Harmonic Potential of the Phrygian Mode

Iwona Bodziak

Educational Background Influence on Musical Interests Developmentand Contemporary Youth Attitude Towards Valuable Art Music

Zuzana Masaryková

Easter Triduum in Cantionale Rituale by Father Mikuláš Hausenka

Conclusion

Introduction

Man is created by God, as the unity of matter and of the Spirit. These two facts cannot be separated from each other, in order that they will not disrupt the integrity wanted by God. Man needs to nurture and express his spiritual dimension and that happens mainly through science and art. It is not just about the cultivation of some human skill, or – the developing of a certain hobby, but about the overall development of a person who, through scientific reflection and art, has opened himself into transcendence, and to eternal values, God’s values. Each piece of authentic knowledge and authentic art has in fact a transcendent dimension.

With this belief in the transcendence of human knowledge and artistic creativity is linked the idea that human scientific and artistic activities are like an image of God’s demiurgic activity. This is even more true for the art that educates a new generation, the art that is very closely related to knowledge and education.

Today’s high-technology society understands educational subjects only as a supplement, little often required and useful. In primary schools, Religious Education and Music are in last place, Music is even absent in the programs of secondary schools, and it is also being reduced from the curricula of future teachers, at universities. The results of which, are candidate teachers who, at the universities, must be taught the musical alphabet – the notes. The technocrats managing our society, underestimate the importance of the ethical and aesthetic development of young people, which is then uncritically thrown at a subculture, killing the ability to perceive the true values and true beauty within it.

The miscellany that you have in your hands contains contributions from the areas of religion and music education. It is the result of the efforts of young people, promising researching, scientific and pedagogical workers, within the school system. I believe that for many readers it will become a source of new knowledge, or at least a stimulus for speculation.

prof. ass. ThDr. Lic. Rastislav Adamko, PhD., m. prof. CU

Didactics of Religion

Mariánska Hora in Levoc'a, after 1989

MarcelaC'arnická

Abstract: The Catholic Church as the most widespread, the most numerous and, despite forty years of oppression, still the strongest confession of faith, had to correct the hardest deformations of the previous period. The revival and full development of Marian devotion was taking place after 1989, after the liberation of the Catholic Church. Pilgrimages to Mariánska hora were, and still are, a great opportunity to bring believers to know the mystery and the love of Christ. Every year, a large number of pilgrims come here in order to gain new spiritual strength and encouragement from the Blessed Mother, the Virgin Mary.

Keywords: Mariánska hora. Levoča. Church. Freedom. Pilgrimage.

Re-acquisition of the option to freely practice faith, report to churches and practise a religious active life has got several attributes, however, the most common was the disenchantment of all churches and religious communities.

The period between 1989-1993 was imbued with sincere ideals of piety, humanity, humaneness, sheer Christian morality, resting mainly on humility and forgiveness.

First it was necessary, after 1989, to organise the diocese, to create a new, respected hierarchy of the church and solve one of the most pressing problems: the extremely old age of the serving priests. The transfusion of personnel could only be achieved by raising new priestly adolescents at restored seminaries and at an increasing number of theological faculties. However, one or the other were desperately lacking, in Slovakia, in the first half of the nineties of the 20th Century.

Priests were removing the deficit of spiritual life in the parishes, they not only administered the Holy Masses, but also the sacraments of Baptism, prepared children for the First Holy Communion and Confirmation and had to cope also with the rapid increase in religious marriages or funerals. Religious Education was no longer subjected to such discriminatory practices any more, like during the socialist times, but lacked qualified teachers. Lay catechists still only began to study at universities. They eagerly awaited the first graduates of theological study – new priests – in the parishes, and at various stages of educational institutions. Gradually, however, teaching teams began, mostly at primary schools, to supplement the nuns of the restored religious communities. Nuns either acquired or extend their teaching skills to teach religion and significantly strengthen the catechesis at schools and in parishes, where they sought to organise various child, youth or Christian events to enrich spiritual life and shape the Catholic awareness of the young generation.

Nuns gradually came into institutions and to the positions from where the totalitarian power had expelled them at the start of the fifties, of the last century. They were welcomed at the hospital, social institutions, special educational institutions for the physically disabled and especially in the growing charities.

Women’s religious orders have also become a qualified personnel base for the administration of dioceses and bishops offices.

The liberated Catholic Church accepted a basic philosophy of ecumenism and sought to contribute to a higher quality of social life and events, towards the post-November revival and especially the moral revival of the Slovak nation. Catholic or Christian philosophers, artists and a university academic community were generating a creative platform for the discussion and the presentation of the World Heritage values of a Christian culture. This effort was immediately followed by the development of the Christian media, which has gradually expanded from basic print to electronic ones, as we know them today (Radio Lumen, LUX TV, Internet portals).

In particular, the Catholic Church, whereby, the praiseworthy share of other faiths and Christian interest groups should not be reduced, and religious communities have played an undeniably positive role in recovering the Slovak nation, especially its spiritual and cultural nature. Church historians have rehabilitated Slovak personalities who, of course, could not have come from other than priestly circles.

Christian intellectuals have made considerable efforts in a broader, more objective explanation and in particular an appreciation of the Cyril and Methodius tradition. The blank pages of the history of Slovak literature were filled with information about the Slovak Poetry Catholic Modern, including its exiled authors. Slovak Scouting was restored, the Salesians were able to return to Slovakia and resume their commendable work with the Christian youth.

November 1989. The fall of the Communist government brought an end to harassment and intimidation, and brought freedom of the press and of assembly. A new government started, which began to negotiate with the Vatican about the renewal of contacts and the occupation of the bishop’s offices. “After the occupation of the Trnava archdiocese, by Ján Sokol, and the Spiš diocese, by Dr. František Tondra, also other dioceses were gradually occupied”1. Ján Hirka became the Greek-Catholic Eparchy, Alojz Tkáč the Košice bishop and Eduard Kojnok the Rožňava bishop. Rudolf Balaz was appointed bishop of Banska Bystrica, Ján Chryzostom Korec was the Bishop of Nitra. In addition, auxiliary bishops, Vladimír Filo, Dominik Tóth, Peter Dubovský, František Rábek, Andrej Imrich, Bernard Bober and Milan Chautur were also appointed and ordained. The Bishops Conference of Czechoslovakia was established2, which invited Pope John Paul II. for the country’s first visit.

After the establishment of the independent Slovak Republic, the Conference of Slovak Bishops was established. “Between the 29th June to the 3rd July, 1995, Pope John Paul II. conducted a five-day visit to Slovakia”3. In 1997, he established the Exarchate of Kosice, led by Milan Chautur.

At the beginning of 1990, both male and female religious orders renewed their activity and the Theological Faculties administered universities. The first restored seminary, in Slovakia, was in Spis. “On the 26th September, 1990, there was the opening of the new school year 1990/91 at the renewed Theologian Institution, which is the branch of CMFT, in Bratislava, in a priest seminary, in Spišská Kapitula, which is named after the Spiš Bishop, Ján Vojtaššák”4. Other seminaries were established in Bratislava, Nitra, Banská Bystrica – Badín and in Košice. Greek Catholics had their separate theological faculty at today’s University of Prešov.

The next important step was also the restoration of religious education at schools. The episcopal office began to establish church schools. The first church school was the grammar school of St. Francis of Assisi, in Levoča5.

After 1990, religious movements have been restored and new ones established, and the construction of retreat houses has expanded. A positive development happened even in the media, when private stations were created (radio, television), the amount of Christian literature is increasing and also new publishing houses are established.

On the basis of the Federal Assembly, from 1991, and from the regulation of the Slovak National Council, from 1994, buildings, monasteries and also agricultural land were returned to Churches.

Pilgrimages to Mariánska hora after 1989

Catechesis strives to lead children and young people towards the faith in Jesus Christ, to lead to Christ, to lead them towards the faith in Church and the faith of Church. Objective of catechesis is to lead children and youth towards meaningful life and life with God. To achieve these objectives and tasks of catechesis was very difficult in the period from 1948 to 1989.

Catechetical activities of churches can, however, after many years, take place in good time and local conditions. Religious education is being reintroduced at schools and religious literature can be freely spread, church schools are being formed again. It comes to the development of spiritual exercises, retreats and days of recollections.

The retreat centre on top of Mariánska hora, built in 1994, offers its premises for various lectures, retreats for priests, friars and believers of different age groups. There is also the possibility of revivals and meetings of lay believers or religious communities.

“This first single pilgrimage started on the 2nd July, on the feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, by a spiritual program starting in the morning and culminating with a Holy Mass at 5 o’clock, which was celebrated by diocesan Bishop, Dr. František Tondra, during which he consecrated the new altar, built next to the Basilica”6. The annual pilgrimage to Mariánska hora fell this year on the 7th and 8th July. The pilgrimage was visited by about 500,000 believers from Slovakia, Moravia, Bohemia, Austria, Poland and Hungary. “After night masses, in the morning at 8 o’clock, Prešov Diocesan Bishop, Ján Hirka, has served the eastern Holy Liturgy – the first time since 1969 – in front of all the pilgrims”7. The Solemn Holy Mass of thankful pilgrimage was celebrated by Košice Bishop, Alojz Weaver.

The believers could come to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, on the 15th September, 1990, after long years of suffering and pain, but full of love for God and Mary on Mariánska hora. Mons. František Dlugoš, in his homily, brought the believers Mary as the sufferer – a Mother in pain, who stood under the cross of her son, Jesus Christ. “A unique woman, a unique mother! What were the things she had to go through!? The whole nation rose up against her child, against her son. Against the one, who lived and sacrificed himself for the whole of humanity... They whipped him in front of an enraged crowd, sentenced him to the most humiliating of deaths, like a hardened criminal”8. However, the minister points out that the Virgin Mary did not let the anger win in her, her heart did not harden, but she kept the faith and bravely bore the tortures of her son. “In suffering, the fulfilment of love, motherly mission, bravery, and even the heroism of a woman, is accomplished. Mary, a Mother in pain, standing at the cross, let her be for us all an encouragement, an example and support”9.

In 1991, at the initiative of Levoča Dean, Štefan Klubert, the first pilgrimage of youth from Eastern Slovakia took place. The main ceremony was held on the 6th and 7th July, 1991, and was attended by both Slovak Cardinals, Jozef Tomko and Ján Chryzostom Korec. In addition to these eight bishops – Slovaks from home and abroad: Alojz Tkáč, Eduard Kojnok, Ján Hirka, František Tondra, Dominik Kalata, Dominik Hrušovský, Pavol Hnilica and Andrej Grutka10. The number of attendees was around 600,000 pilgrims. At the same time, the Greek Catholics also carried out their pilgrimage. In 1991, the Spiš bishop gave his permission to conduct Fatima Saturdays on Mariánska hora. Fatima Saturdays are still held today on the first Saturday of the month, led by Amantia Akimjak.

Since 1991, on the first Sunday in October, theologians have been doing the pilgrimage to Mariánska hora, together with their superiors and thus begins the academic year.

The Pilgrimage in 1992 was held on the 4th and 5th July. The pilgrimage was attended by Bishop Jozef Adamec, from the USA. and Dominik Hrušovský, the bishop from Rome. For the first time this year, the Slovak youth led by the priest Peter Murdza, the Salesian, and Daniel Bédi, have walked from Muráň to Levoca, throughout the entire week11. 400,000 pilgrims were present on the festive Holy Mass.

The main theme of the pilgrimage, in 1993, was marked by repentance. Levoča was again visited by young people from Muráň and the Greek Catholics also celebrated their liturgy. The main celebrant, Cardinal Ján Chryzostom Korec, emphasised in his speech that the face of Slovakia is dependant on fathers and mothers, young people are the future of Slovakia, who should shape the spiritual atmosphere of love and sacrifice, because only repentance and refuge to Virgin Mary, to Jesus’ mother can save us12. The pilgrimage was attended by approximately 450 000 people.

The year 1994, was declared the Year of the Family. Due to this occasion, pilgrimages throughout the year were carried out on Mariánska hora, for example, for men – fathers, children and young people and for women – mothers, the sick and elderly in families. The first weekend in July, a traditional pilgrimage for the spiritual renewal of marriage and family was held. “On Saturday, 2nd July, the holy mass was served by Bishop František Tondra, who at the end of the mass performed a renewal of marriage vows for all present married couples”13. This year, the newly-built pilgrimage house was consecrated on Mariánska hora. The pilgrimage was attended by approximately 500 000 people.

On the eve of the visit of the noble pilgrim, on the 2nd July, 1995, at the feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, and in the spirit of expectation, Mons. František Dlugoš celebrated a solemn Holy Mass. The Pope arrived at Spišská Kapitula on that day.

Pope John Paul II. visited the Virgin Mary on Mariánska hora, on 3rd July, 1995. There were 650,000 pilgrims from Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania present at the festive Holy Mass. Spiš Bishop, František Tondra, welcomed Pope John Paul II. in the name of all believers. During the festive Holy Mass, a choir sang, composed of eleven choirs under the direction of Štefan Olos, Amantia Akimjak and Andrew Palušák. The Pope was accompanied by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Cardinal Jozef Tomko, Polish Primas Cardinal Jozef Glemp, Krakow Cardinal František Macharski, Prague Cardinal Miloslav Vlk and Cardinal Ján Chryzostom Korec, as well as 40 bishops from home and abroad, guests of honour, prelates and monsignors, more than 750 priests, many theologians and altar servers14. Pope John Paul II. said in his homily, “The Levoča sanctuary is dedicated to the mystery of the Visitation, to the second mystery of the joyous rosary, about which we contemplate today, instructed by the Gospel according to St. Luke. The Virgin Mary went to visit Elizabeth after the Annunciation, to Zechariah’s house... Today I come to Levoča actually in the spirit of the Visitation secret. And you, who have come here on pilgrimage from Spis and from the whole of Slovakia, you bow at the feet of the Virgin Mary actually in the spirit of the Visitation gospel...”15. Pope John Paul II, after the end of the Holy Mass, and the blessing of those present, went to the Tatras.

“The pilgrimage in 1996, began here on Tuesday, 2nd July, on the day of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, when the Holy Masses were celebrated by Spiš Bishops, František Tondra and Andrej Imrich”16. The climax of the pilgrimage was on the 7th July, when the solemn mass was celebrated by Košice Archbishop, Alojz Tkáč. About 400,000 believers came to greet the Virgin Mary.

At the pilgrimage, in 1997, Spiš Bishop, František Tondra, renewed the consecration of the diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. A delegation from Rome, six bishops, about 150 priests and nearly 480,000 pilgrims were present at the pilgrimage. For the first time, the pilgrimage was attended by the military of France, Poland and Slovakia. The festive Holy Mass was served by Cardinal Ján Chryzostom Korec.

Cardinal Joachim Meissner with Cardinal Francisco Macharski came to honour the Virgin Mary, on Mariánska hora, in 1998. Joachim Meissner was the main celebrant of the festive Holy Mass, who in his speech praised the change after the fall of the Communist regime and the establishment of freedom. Each year, Greek Catholics also conduct their pilgrimage on the first weekend in July.

The festive Holy Mass, on the Feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, on 4th July, 1999, on Mariánska hora, in Levoča, was celebrated by Mons. Alojz Tkáč, the Archbishop – Metropolita of Košice Archdiocese. The pilgrimage was attended by about 600 thousand pilgrims. Mons. František Tondra, in his homily, stressed the responsibility of believers and all the people in the world and the running of civil society in the democratic world. The pilgrimages to Mariánska hora was attended by representatives of the State and the Army of the Slovak Republic, France and Poland. The sacrament of penance was continuously administered by about 150 priests. The program of the pilgrimage was directed to prepare for the Jubilee of the Year 2000.

The pilgrimage in the Jubilee year, on 1st – 2nd July, 2000, began with Fatima Saturday, which was led by Amantius Akimjak. The solemn Holy Mass on the 2nd July was attended by about 600,000 pilgrims. The main celebrant was the delegate of the Krakow Archbishop, auxiliary Krakow bishop, Jan Szkodoň, and Bishop Mons. František Tondra, Auxiliary Bishop Mons. Andrej Imrich and Bishop of Australia, Mons. John William Bronnan, were present. Bishop Szkodoň emphasised in his homily the need to behave so that a person could use the freedom that he received from God. “The pilgrimage has been already for the fourth time attended by representatives from France, Poland and the Slovak Army”17. Military Bishop of the Polish Army, Major Darius Kowalski, who represented the military bishop, Slavoj Leszek Glodza, gave the Marian Basilica on top of the Mariánska hora a gift – monstrance. Young people from Muráň have already journeyed to Levoča for the ninth time.

On Saturday 7th July, 2001, at 17.00 o’clock, Mons. Henryk Józef Nowacki, Apostolic Nuncio in Slovakia served the opening Holy Mass18. Solemn Holy Mass was celebrated on the 8th July by Berlin Cardinal, Georg Sterzynsky, together with the Apostolic Nuncio H. J. Nowacki, with four Slovak bishops and many priests. Throughout the pilgrimage, the Sacrament of Reconciliation was administered by 150 priests. There were around 500,000 pilgrims at the pilgrimage.

Two days in July 2002 – the 6th and 7th – were again taken up by Mariánska hora and the pilgrimage to the oldest pilgrimage site in Slovakia. Fatima Saturday was led by Amantius Akimjak, inaugural Holy Mass was celebrated by Msgr. František Dlugoš. The Liturgy of the Eastern ceremony, the Rosary prayer with a candle procession, Devotion of the Cross with Spiš auxiliary bishop Msgr. Andrej Imrich, and Midnight Mass with the participation of soldiers who participated in the sixth national military pilgrimage followed. A festive Holy Mass was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Henryk Józef Nowacki, who urged Catholic families in Slovakia to protect life from the conception. There were around 600,000 Marian devotees who were present at the festive holy mass. The pilgrimage of theologians from all over Slovakia to Mariánska hora was held on 1st May, 2002.

Mariánska hora welcomed during the pilgrimage on the 5th-6th July, 2003, around 600,000 believers. Solemn Holy Mass was celebrated in the presence of Archbishop Alojza Tkáč, Bishops František Rábek, Bernard Bober and Spiš Bishops František Tondra, Andrej Imrich and Štefan Sečka, and the Apostolic Nuncio, in Slovakia, Henryk Józef Nowacki. The Apostolic Nuncio drew his attention to the Virgin Mary in his speech, who is noting man’s fight for his dignity.

The pilgrimage, in 2004, was marked in the spirit of the twenty-year jubilee, from the elevation of the temple of the oldest pilgrimage site in Slovakia, to a Basilica minor. The main celebrant was Cardinal Jozef Tomko. A direct transmit of the worship took place for the first time in this year, through Radio Lumen. “On Saturday evening, on 14th August, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the dogma proclamation of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, a festive Holy Mass with a candle procession was held in the Basilica on Mariánska hora”19. In Fatima, on the 3rd October, 2004, Levoča was accepted into the community of European pilgrimage sites.

2005 was the Year of the Eucharist and the 10th anniversary of the visit of Pope John Paul II., in Slovakia. Also the pilgrimage on the 2nd-3rd July was carried in this spirit. The opening mass was served by Levoča Dean, Mons. František Dlugoš, and the solemn Holy Mass was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio in Slovakia, Henryk Józef Nowacki. “During the Holy Mass, he blessed the tower with a cross, built on the spot where John Paul II. served the Pontifical Holy Mass ten years before”20. Mons. Nowacki urged the believers to take into their life the Virgin Mary and Jesus too.

The pilgrimage in 2006 was, in addition to the celebration of the feast of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, the commemoration of the anniversaries of important events. 230 years since the creation of the Spiš diocese, 40 years after the declaration of The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, the major patron of Slovakia, and 10 years from the attendance of the Armed Forces and the Armed Units of the Slovak Republic, at Mariánska hora. The Virgin Mary also welcomed this year soldiers from Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. The young people from Muráň journeyed to Mariánska hora already for the fifteenth time. Spiš Bishop, Mons. František Tondra, pointed out in his homily the spiritual meaning of sacrifices. The festive Holy Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Ján Chryzostom Korec, together with the Apostolic Nuncio H. J. Nowacki.

Mariánska hora became the scene of a nationwide youth meeting with Cardinal Joachim Meisner, on the 15th and 16th August, 2006.

The Levoča pilgrimage in 2007, brought four significant anniversaries. 760 years since the establishment of the pilgrimage site, 20 years since the pilgrimage church construction, 85 years after the sanctification of the temple by Bishop Ján Vojtaššák and 60 years since the dedication of the Spiš diocese to the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary. The main Holy Mass was celebrated by J. Em. Cardinal Jozef Tomko, Tarbes-Lourdes Bishop, Jacques Perrier, domestic bishops and priests, representatives of Fatima and Lourdes. Christian scouts from Europe21 celebrated one hundred years since their formation, on Mariánska hora, on the 4th and 5th August, 2007. The festive Holy Mass was celebrated on the 5th August, by J. E. Mons. Ján Babjak.

The number of pilgrims, in 2008, during the pilgrimage did not decrease significantly. About half a million believers, children, youth, adults, families and the sick attended, who came to seek help from the Virgin Mary. Important pilgrims were Fatima Bishop, Antonio Marto, and Vienna Archbishop, Cardinal Christoph Schnönborn, who celebrated a solemn Holy Mass. In his speech, he invited everyone present to thank our mothers, that they said yes.

In Rome, 28th February, 2009, a decree on the Spiritual connection of the Basilica of the Visitation, in Levoča, with the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome, which is the first and principal Marian Cathedral, was issued.

During the pilgrimage on the 4th-5th July, 2009, the believers commemorated the 25th anniversary of the proclamation of the church for the Basilica minor. On this occasion, the Spiš diocesan Bishop, Mons. František Tondra, issued a decree on the establishment of the diocesan Marian Sanctuary, in Levoča22. The opening Holy Mass was celebrated by Mons. František Dlugoš and the solemn Holy Mass was served by Košice Archbishop of metropolita, Mons. A. Tkáč. During the proceedings of the entire pilgrimage, the Sacrament of Reconciliation was administered.

Many people came to greet, thank and ask the Virgin Mary even during the pilgrimage on the 3rd-4th July, 2010. The opening Mass was served by Levoča Dean, Mons. František Dlugoš, on the 3rd July. This year’s pilgrimage was aimed at strengthening the Christian family. The Sacrament of Reconciliation was administered by two hundred priests. The solemn Holy Mass was served by Bratislava Archbishop, Mons. Stanislav Zvolenský.

Levoča Virgin Mary welcomes her admirers and provides an opportunity for the pilgrimage is not limited by dates, but pilgrimages and spiritual events are held throughout the entire calendar year. They take place freely, without fear and without obstacles in transport and the like. Compared with the previous period, the number of pilgrimages and holy masses significantly increased.

From the occasion of the Pilgrimage Church proclamation for the Basilica minor is the Eucharistic celebration on the 26th January. The feast of St. Peter the Apostle is celebrated on Mariánska hora, in February.

On Good Friday, when we commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, the Calvary from the church of St. James to Mariánska hora is held under the leadership of the Scouts and theologians.

From Easter to the last Sunday in October, regular worships are held on Mariánska hora.

In the month of May, Christian educators perform their pilgrimage to Mariánska hora and in mid-May also children from Košice, Prešov and Spiš diocese.

The main pilgrimage begins with Sunday week before 2nd July and will culminate on Sunday after 2nd July. Nationwide pilgrimage of Christian seniors takes place on Thursday after the main pilgrimage. On the feast of the anniversary of the consecration of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome, a pilgrimage to Mariánska hora takes place on the 5th August, which is spiritually connected with this basilica.

The feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, on the 15th August, on Mariánska hora, is celebrated in the presence of a large number of pilgrims. Christian Democrats do their pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary in Levoca on the last August, Sunday.

Salesians, on the last day of the holiday, organise a full day program for children and youth on Mariánska hora as a thanks for the summer and at the same time, ask the Virgin Mary for help for the new school year.

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, on the 14th September, a pilgrimage of disabled and wheelchair users is held on Mariánska hora. Another opportunity for the all-day pilgrimage is the feast of the patron saint of Slovakia Virgin Mary. Besides the domestic believers, also foreign pilgrims journey to Mariánska hora. Believers from Zakopané pursue their traditional pilgrimage in Levoča on the last Sunday in September.

Theologians and superiors from the Theologian Seminary of Bishop Ján Vojtaššák in Spis Podhradí perform their pilgrimage on the first October Sunday. The second Sunday of this month belongs to the nationwide pilgrimage of the Militia Immaculata. The last Sunday in October, the final pilgrimage is held.

To participate at Holy Mass on Mariánska hora, the faithful may participate during all Marian feasts throughout the year.

The pilgrimages to Mariánska hora are attended also by the members of the armed forces and units of the Slovak Republic, soldiers from France, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Germany and Belgium.

Organising pilgrimages to Mariánska hora did not cease during the Communist regime. The believers have always found their way to the Mother of God, although many of them were harassed, had to resign or were reassigned in their jobs, had the problem of getting to school and the like.

Despite all these and many other obstacles, the Marian devotion has survived and has been the support of the Catholic Church, in Slovakia. Initially, only the locals and believers from eastern and central Slovakia, were coming to Levoča to honour the Virgin Mary. Later, also foreign pilgrims, for example, from Poland, Austria, Italy and Spain and dignitaries from Poland, Spain, Portugal, UK, Germany, France, Austria and the USA have found their way to her. “It is an expression of the fact that Levoča has come out of its regional level and has become a European pilgrimage site”23.

Currently, Mariánska hora is visited by different ages, children, youth and believers of middle age or older. They come here to be thankful for their lives, for the strength that they could come to beg forgiveness for their sins, errors, ask for patience in sickness and ask for health and blessings. Every believer comes to Mariánska hora for different reasons, however, each has the faith, humility and devotion to the Virgin Mary.

List of bibliographical references

Chalupecký, I. 2006. Mariánska hora v Levoči [Mariánska hora in Levoča]: Člen Európskeho združenia mariánskych pútnických miest [Member of the European Association of Marian pilgrimage sites]. Trnava: Society of St. Vojtech, 2006. p. 45 ISBN 80-7162-614-7.

Dlugoš, F. 2000. Dejiny Mariánskej hory v Levoči [History of Mariánska hora, in Levoča]. Levoča: Polypress, 2000. p. 349 ISBN 80-88704-29-4.

Dlugoš, F. 2001. Pápež Ján Pavol II. a Levoča [Pope John Paul II. andLevoča]. Levoča: Polypress. 2001. p. 84 p. ISBN 80-88704-44-8.

Dlugoš, F. 2010. Homilies for weekdays and also feast days. Marian homilies from 1984 to 2010. Ružomberok: Verbum, 2011. p. 239 ISBN 978-80-8084-651-0.

Dlugoš, F.: Mariánska hora v slove a v obrazoch [Mariánska hora in word and pictures]. Levoča: Publishing House MTM, 2006. p. 239 ISBN 80-89187-07-2.

Dlugoš, F. 2005. Pätnásť slobodných pútí [Fifteen free pilgrimages] 1990-2004. Levoča: MTM, 2005. p. 95 ISBN 978-80-89187-02-7.

Dlugoš, F. 2010 ...a do svätyne vedú kroky naše. História Mariánskej hory v Levoči […and our steps lead to a sanctuary. History of Mariánska hora, in Levoča] (1247-2010). Levoča: MTM, 2010. p. 248 ISBN 978-80-89187-40-9.

Dlugoš, F. 2009. Štefan Klubert, the priest, intellectual and a developer of cultural wealth. Levoča: Publishing house MTM, 2009. p. 311 ISBN 978-80-89187-35-5.

1 Dlugoš, F. 2000. Dejiny Mariánskej hory v Levoči [History of Mariánska hora, in Levoča]. Levoča: Polypress, 2000, p. 197.

2Spiš Bishop, František Tondra, became the first chairman of the conference. After the establishment of the Slovak Republic, he became the Chairman of the Conference of Slovak Bishops. As residential Spiš Bishop, he served until 2011, when Štefan Sečka, the auxiliary bishop was appointed to the office of Bishop.

3 Dlugoš, F. 2000. Dejiny Mariánskej hory v Levoči [History of Mariánska hora, in Levoča]. Levoča: Polypress, 2000, p. 198.

4 Dlugoš, F. 2000. Dejiny Mariánskej hory v Levoči [History of Mariánska hora, in Levoča]. Levoča: Polypress, 2000, p. 200.

5 Today, there are still two church schools in Levoča: The Secondary Medical School of Štefan Klubert and the related Boarding School of Ján Vojtaššák.

6 Dlugoš, F. 2006. Mariánska hora v slove a v obrazoch [Mariánska hora in word and pictures]. Levoča: MTM, 2006, p. 46.

7 Dlugoš, F. 2006. Dejiny Mariánskej hory v Levoči [History of Mariánska hora, in Levoča]. Levoča: Polypress, 2000, p. 206.

8 Dlugoš, F. 2011. Homilies for weekdays and also feast days. Marian homilies from 1984 to 2010. Ružomberok: Verbum, 2011, p. 43.

9 Dlugoš, F. 2011. Homilies for weekdays and also feast days. Marian homilies from 1984 to 2010. Ružomberok: Verbum, 2011, p. 47.

10Dlugoš, F. 2006. Mariánska hora v slove a v obrazoch [Mariánska hora in word and pictures]. Levoča: MTM, 2006, p. 50.

11Dlugoš, F. 2000. Dejiny Mariánskej hory v Levoči [History of Mariánska hora, in Levoča]. Levoča: Polypress, 2000, p. 211.

12Dlugoš, F. 2000. Dejiny Mariánskej hory v Levoči [History of Mariánska hora, in Levoča]. Levoča: Polypress, 2000, p. 213.

13 Dlugoš, F. 2006. Mariánska hora v slove a v obrazoch [Mariánska hora in word and pictures]. Levoča: MTM, 2006, p. 54.

14Dlugoš, F. 2006. Mariánska hora v slove a v obrazoch [Mariánska hora in word and pictures]. Levoča: MTM, 2006, p. 60.

15Dlugoš, F. 2006. Mariánska hora v slove a v obrazoch [Mariánska hora in word and pictures]. Levoča: MTM, 2006, p. 60.

16 Dlugoš, F. 2000. Dejiny Mariánskej hory v Levoči [History of Mariánska hora, in Levoča]. Levoča: Polypress, 2000, p. 218.

17Dlugoš, F. 2006. Mariánska hora v slove a v obrazoch [Mariánska hora in word and pictures]. Levoča: MTM, 2006, p. 65.

18Dlugoš, F. 2006. Mariánska hora v slove a v obrazoch [Mariánska hora in word and pictures]. Levoča: MTM, 2006, p. 65.

19Dlugoš, F. Mariánska hora v slove a v obrazoch [Mariánska hora in word and pictures]. Levoča: MTM, 2006, p. 66.

20Dlugoš, F. 2006. Mariánska hora v slove a v obrazoch [Mariánska hora in word and pictures]. Levoča: MTM, 2006, p. 67.

21Scouts, not only from Slovakia, but also from Italy, France, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Belgium and from Kazakhstan came to Levoča.

22Dlugoš, F. 2009. Štefan Klubert, the priest, intellectual and a developer of cultural wealth. Levoča: MTM, 2009, p. 130.

23Chalupecký, I. 2006. Mariánska hora in Levoča: Member of the European Association of Marian pilgrimage sites. Trnava: Society of St. Vojtech, 2006, p. 33.

Symbol and Metaphor in the Bibleand in Literature

Silvia Kas'c'áková

Abstract: In this paper, we are looking at the use of symbols and metaphors in reference to the emergence of writing in old cultures. We concentrate on symbolism in literature with a focus on poetry. Next, more significantly, we present the metaphoric and symbolic language of the Bible.

Keywords: Symbol. Metaphor. Writing. Literature. Old Testament. New Testament.

Symbol and metaphor are concepts, which have their important place in the communication between aesthetics – art and religion. Both areas – the language of art and the language of the Bible – utilise these forms, each in their own regard, and yet they are becoming a means of knotting relationships and inter-professional connections. They are filled with rich content and are approaching towards each other and towards man. Their relationship through joint symbolic language helps a person unearth their own meaning and mystery. Man is often reliant on images in his knowledge, and the same applies to human desires. Through symbols, images and metaphors we are talking, we give names, we express everything that goes beyond us. In images and symbolic acts, in interaction with another person, in actions and in efforts to name that “within themselves”, a person reveals and is always reliving the experience of the living God, a religious experience.

Writing and symbolic expression

Writing appears in history in connection with the development of social relations and also the economic needs of the people. Its dissemination is historically linked to culture and also to the religion of nations. Europeans capture and express ideas through a system of characters that are different from the method of expression for non-European cultures. European culture is using 27 letters for recording thoughts. A letter – grapheme, as the basic unit of a written system, to capture speech sounds, bears no other information. It denotes sound only, no symbol, no image, no gesture etc. The writing that we use is thus a pure abstraction.