The brilliant Italian scientist Galileo Galilei was one of the great figures of the 17th century. Born in Pisa, in Tuscany, Galileo studied, taught and lectured in Pisa and Padua as well as in Florence, where he and his family made their home. The father of experimental science, his work in astronomy drew criticism from the church of his time and made him a symbol of the conflict between faith and science.
He was a deeply religious man; Catholic to the core. Two of his daughters entered the convent outside Florence and one of them, Sister Maria Celeste, carried on a long, tender correspondence with her brilliant father.
Galileo believed that nature was a teacher along with the bible, and he wanted the church to accept the evidence that science provides, otherwise it could be called an enemy of truth and human progress. Like others then and now, he believed that the bible taught you how to go to heaven and not how the heavens go.
His story is beautifully and carefully told today in a recent book I’m reading now:
Galileo’s Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love, Dava Sobel, New York 1999
There’s a television version: Galileo: Battle for the Heavens, that you can find on Nova’s site on the internet.
I admire the author’s even-handed description of the relations between the scientist and the churchmen who condemned him for what they saw as his heretical ideas. “A tragic mutual incomprehension has been interpreted as the reflection of a fundamental opposition between science and faith, “ Pope John Paul said regretfully in 1992.
I’m going in October on a pilgrimage through some of the Tuscan cities and Venice, where Galileo achieved so much. He was a believer and a scientist. May others follow him and may our church welcome the knowledge they bring to the human family.
The Victor's Place 
If you have time Victor, visit the Cenacle in Montauto in Tuscany. Originally it was a Franciscan Monastery…breathtaking views…some of the Sisters speak English. sr peggy lane r.c. sponsors an art retreat there every year.
Hope all is well with you in your new home.
Mary Jane r.c.
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Thanks for posting, perspectives on the past help us make better sense of the flood of information and innovation we are being exposed to at such a rapid pace today. There’s many of us who believe, as Galileo did, that science and faith can indeed live together and complement each other. As I once heard you say Father, as we learn more about our world through science, new mysteries begin to surface. With each new scientific finding explaining “what” makes the heavens go, this is actually God revealing more about his creations and encouraging us to ask more deeper, spiritual questions about the “why.” Asking these “why” questions (Why are we here? Why is seeking God important?” Why was there a “big bang?” etc) leads us on a journey of much deeper, richer faith.
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You are right on target, Mark. We are entering a stage where science and religion will meet and both will benefit from the meeting.
FVictor
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Now that would be a beautiful place to visit under the Tuscan sun. Hope to see you.
Victor
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my husband and I are going on the st marys trip to italy in the fall as well, we look forward to all the information you have regarding each amazing plaace!
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Karen,
I’ll be putting material here before the trip. Glad to have you with us. Should be a good one.
FVictor
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A great book to read before our trip1 Good seeing you and Fr. Xavier today!sil
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