I would like to share a brief reflection on the Letter that Pope Francis recently published on the importance of literature in priestly formation, although, it should be clarified, he explicitly states that what is said in it can be assumed by any Christian interested in his personal maturation (cf. Letter of the Holy Father Francis on the role of literature in formation, no. 1).No. 1).
But before focusing on the letter, I would like to share a memory.
A high school teacher (in some countries called baccalaureate) awakened in me and my classmates an interest in literature like no one had ever done before.
This teacher knew how to touch some of our hearts in such a way that we began to read novels and poems, and this for two years.
In fact, she encouraged the entire class to write poetry for publication in book form.
Perhaps this was the key to his enduring influence on many of us: he believed in and instilled confidence in his students!
I will not dwell any longer on memories.
I would like this very brief account to serve as a reminder of what it means for someone to awaken an interest in literature in us, as Pope Francis suggests in the letter cited above, recalling his years of teaching literature in high school courses (no. 7).
In any case, all this is nothing new, since literature, since early Christianity, has been a stimulus to access the mystery of life, at the heart of which beats the mystery of Christ.
But where does the power of literature lie?
In its connection with life: “literature has to do, in one way or another, with what each of us seeks in life, since it enters into an intimate relationship with our concrete existence, with its essential tensions, its desires and meanings” (no. 6).
Through literature, especially the great literary works (no. 23), faith can be enriched, since it prepares and prepares it for access to the most varied life situations, expressed in many different forms and languages.
This had already been indicated by the Fathers of the Church such as Basil of Caesarea, cited by Pope Francis (no. 11), or Augustine, who, in his case, it would suffice to take a look at a work of great importance for those who study Augustinian texts in depth, such as the book by Harald Hagendahl, Augustine and the Latin classics (1967), and thus note that he belongs to the non-minority group of ancient Christian authors who knew how to nourish themselves on classical literature.
Moreover, the Apostle Paul did not hesitate to quote poets to address the Athenians, seeking a better understanding of his message (no. 12; cf. Acts 17:28).
In short, Pope Francis’ recommendation is not a bad one and reminds us how much good the reading of novels, stories, poems, etc., can do for our personal maturity, especially in a world where new technologies seem to force us to be merely passive subjects: “Before the omnipresent arrival of the media, social networks, cell phones and other devices, reading was a frequent experience, and those who have lived it know what I am talking about. It is not passé” (no. 2).
And he continues: “Unlike audiovisual media, where the content itself is more complete, and the margin and time to “enrich” the narrative or interpret it are usually reduced, in reading a book, the reader is much more active. In a certain way he rewrites the work, expands it with his imagination, creates his world, uses his abilities, his memory, his dreams, his own story full of drama and symbolism, and in this way what results is a work very different from the one the author intended to write. A literary work is, then, a living and ever-fertile text, capable of speaking again in many ways and of producing an original synthesis in each reader it encounters.” (No. 3).
This is not to deny the positive impact of new technologies, but to point out some of their limitations.
It also underlines the value that reading still has in the lives of so many people: “From a pragmatic point of view, many scientists argue that the habit of reading produces very positive effects in a person’s life; it helps him to acquire a wider vocabulary and, consequently, to develop various aspects of his intelligence. It also stimulates the imagination and creativity. At the same time, this allows one to learn to express one’s own stories in a richer way. In addition, it improves the ability to concentrate, reduces levels of cognitive impairment, calms stress and anxiety.” (No. 16).
The invitation is extended.
Let’s see if we allow ourselves to be found by a literary work capable of making us imagine more, hope more, believe more and love more.