Being a monk in the midst of the world: An Analysis of Ascetism in Twentieth-Century Catholicism and Protestantism in the thought of Ernesto Buonaiuti and Adolf von Harnack
Name of applicant
Valeria Dessy
Title
PhD
Institution
Lund University
Amount
DKK 900,000
Year
2024
Type of grant
Internationalisation Fellowships
What?
The project investigates the connections between two twentieth-century scholars: the Italian Catholic Ernesto Buonaiuti and the German Lutheran Adolf von Harnack. It is the first treatment of Buonaiuti's reception of the monastic tradition and his ties to Harnack. Moreover, the project highlights the connection between the two theologians and the ecumenical movement of New Monasticism.
Why?
In contrast to the idea that "asceticism is dead", the project illustrates with an ecumenical approach how ascetic practices are integrated into our culture across various religious denominations. It brings new insights into the relationships between Protestants and Catholics and fosters dialogue across different academic traditions.
How?
The project examines Buonaiuti’s works on the topics of monasticism and asceticism, employing the methodological framework of reception theory. It further analyzes the points of contact between Harnack and Buonaiuti, first regarding monasticism, then regarding their influences on New Monasticism, building on previous research conducted on Buonaiuti and studies on Harnack.