Instytut Badań Literackich Polskiej Akademii Nauk

(The role of Virgin Mary in the light of Science of last things by Jacek Liberiusz)

Year of publication: 2018
Page range: 11 (31-41)
Keywords: baroque preaching, Jacek Liberiusz, Marian cult, old Polish religious culture, post-Trento folk piety, final things
Author: Jan Błoński (University of Warsow)
 

Abstract

In this paper I present Jacek Liberiusz’s sermons and his preaching about the last things (death, last judgment, heaven, hell and purgatory) and the cult of St. Mary. I juxtapose them with the Jean Delumeau’s thesis about the common fear caused by wars, plagues and church’s teaching. Tremendal elements can hardly be found in Liberiusz sermon’s. On the contrary – worldly atrocities or God’s wrath are being mitigated by the infinite mercy and goodness of Virgin Mary. She seems to be the central figure of the cult, even more important than Jesus himself which is characteristic for 17th century polish piety. Sermons by Liberiusz may be an example of more complex and diversed reactions to surrounding cruelty. These atrocities were not necessary replicated in religion, but also in the contact with God people looked for a consolation.

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