Reconstructors

Reinventing the Spiritual Path within Italian Catholicism

Authors

  • Stefania Palmisano University of Turin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/firn.v4i1.29

Keywords:

Catholicism, new religious movement (NRM), spirituality, yoga

Abstract

This article treats the Reconstructors, a Catholic Community founded in Italy by the Jesuit Vittorio Cappelletto. After a period in India at the school of Anandamurti, the leader of the Ananda Marga movement, Cappelletto’s spiritual experiences induced him to import the teachings received from the Indian guru into Christianity. After presenting the salient stages in the history of the Reconstructors, this article analyses the doctrinal structure and the ritual practices of the movement. Next, it explores the movement’s esoteric bases and the relationships between Cappelletto and his disciples. Finally, the “story behind the story” is engaged, along with reflections upon the contingencies and dilemmas of fieldwork.

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Author Biography

  • Stefania Palmisano, University of Turin

    Stefania Palmisano is a Lecturer in Organization Studies attached to the Department of Social Sciences, University of Turin (Italy). She is a Visiting Research Fellow, IAS and Religious Studies, Lancaster University.

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Published

2010-01-15

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Palmisano, S. (2010). Reconstructors: Reinventing the Spiritual Path within Italian Catholicism. Fieldwork in Religion, 4(1), 29-45. https://doi.org/10.1558/firn.v4i1.29