ALFONSO (ALONSO) di MADRID. – Spanish Franciscan writer, born 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 because of the originality of its content (its doctrine is faithfully traditional), but because of its method, clarity, and beauty of exposition. It therefore met with great favor: as early as 1526, the 3rd definitive edition appeared at Alcalá, and many editions and reprints followed, both in the original language (about 30) and in translations into the principal foreign languages. Of the Italian translations, the first appeared in Venice in 1558, through the work of the priest Tullio Crispoldo. The Arte is divided into three parts: the first sets forth the general principles by which our actions must be directed; the second applies these principles to the acts necessary to heal the soul from the ruins of sin, adorn it with virtues, and make it capable of observing the law of love; the third treats of love for God, for one’s neighbor, and for oneself. St. Teresa (Vita, chap. 12) recommends this “excellent book,” which stimulates generous love in the service of God.