La canonizzazione dei santi combattenti nella storia della Chiesa by Geraldina Boni (review)

In this volume, Boni undertakes an historical exposition of persons who participated in military endeavors and who were also recognized by the Church as saints. The book begins with a preface by Giuseppe Dalla Torre, which introduces the contradiction seemingly separating military life from sainthood (5–8). While Dalla Torre concludes that the dichotomy is not a necessary one, he encourages the reader to continue with Boni’s exploration of the issue for further consideration of the subject (7–8).

To address the topic, Boni divides the book into ten chapters organized in the following manner. The first chapter begins with a foreword and then considers topics such as the Church’s saints who were in the military, and theories of just war and just peace (9–26). In the second chapter, she considers the issue of “military passions” (27–48). In the third chapter, Boni discusses those who engaged in military action during the Middle Ages (49–71). The fourth chapter embodies a presentation of saints who were kings, princes, and certain bishops who were defenders of the city (73–85). In chapter five, Boni discusses the crusades (87–101). Certain canonizations and the reactions to them are considered in chapter six (103–122). In chapter seven, Boni raises the potential impact of temporary service in the military on certain saints (123–128). Chapter eight has a discussion of military chaplains (129–142). In chapter nine, Boni considers the “warrior” saints of the twentieth century (143–156). In the final chapter, she discusses the universal call to holiness of the Second Vatican Council as it applies to military life (157–177).

Boni supports her theories with extensive references, documented and discussed in an abundant number of footnotes in each chapter. Nevertheless, perhaps not surprisingly, there is no broad consideration of the 1983 Code of Canon Law (but see 44–45 addressing c. 1041) and only a limited presentation of the 1917 Code of Canon Law (129, citing 1917 CIC c. 451 §3). As a result, one would probably not expect to find this book on a shelf of the tribunal library. Given the narrow scope of the topics, the book seems to be targeted to a rather limited audience, primarily those with an attentiveness to Church history or military life. Nevertheless, the topics could be relevant to a wider audience given an increasing current interest in just war theories and pacifism. Boni’s book is written in Italian, however, which requires a fundamental understanding of the language to appreciate the volume.