Alfonso (Alonso) of Madrid

ALFONSO (ALONSO) OF MADRID. - Spanish Franciscan writer, b. in Madrid in the last quarter of the 15th century. Nothing is known of his life. He wrote: Arte para servir a Dios (Seville 1521); Espejo de ilustres personas (Burgos 1542); Siete meditaciones de la Semana Santa, of which only the place and date of the French translation are known (Paris 1587); Tratado de la doctrina christiana, published together with the Arte.

First in chronological order, the Arte is A.'s masterpiece, not for the originality of its content (the doctrine is faithfully traditional), but for its method, its clarity and the beauty of its exposition. It therefore met with great favor: already in 1526 the 3rd definitive edition appeared at Alcalá, and many were the editions and reprints that followed in the original language (about 30) and the translations into the principal foreign languages. Of the Italian translations the first appeared at Venice in 1558, by the priest Tullio Crispoldo. The Arte is divided into 3 parts: the first sets out the general principles according to which our actions must be directed; the second applies these principles to the acts necessary to heal the soul from the ruins of sin, to adorn it with virtues and to make it capable of observing the law of love; the third treats of love for God, for neighbor and for oneself. St. Teresa (Vita, ch. 12) recommends this "excellent book" which spurs one to generous love in the service of God.

Egidio Caggiano