St. Robert was famous throughout Europe as a theologian, and as a strenuous defender of the Faith in controversy with Protestants. He joined the Society of Jesus, and was later made Cardinal and Archbishop of Capua. His numerous writings include works of devotion and instruction, as well as of controversy. He died in 1621, and was declared Doctor of the Church in 1931.
Two more exams were successfully completed today: on Natural Philosophy and on the Psalms. Both were interesting. In the former it was our task to present various aspects of the teachings of Aristotle, Francis Bacon, and Renee Descartes, as well as to compare and contrast them where appropriate. The questions that arose dealt with issues like whether natural philosophy / modern science is a speculative or practical philosophy, or whether or not there are formal and final causes in the nature (Aristotle: yes; Bacon and Descartes: no).
My assignment for the Psalms exam was to look at the Psalm chosen by the Church for the Feast of the Annunciation (Ps. 40) together with the other readings selected, and to figure out why this Psalm was chosen, and then to interpret the Psalm in light of the Feast. Part two of the exam: recite from memory Psalm 1 (only 6 verses!). This whole exam was thus quite unlike any others I've ever experienced, but it was interesting - I quite enjoyed the preparation for it.
Now only two exams remain: the Gospel of John tomorrow at 4:30, and Metaphysics the next day at 9:00. The end is near...
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