BRUGMAN, JOHANNES. – A pious and learned Dutch preacher and man of letters, born at Kempen toward the end of the 14th century, died with a reputation for holiness at Nijmegen on 19 September 1473 (according to others, 19 October 1475). After a turbulent youth, he entered the Franciscans of the Observant reform, which was already being introduced in Germany and the Low Countries. First a lector in theology, then guardian at Mechelen and provincial vicar of the Observants of Holland (1462–64), he worked extensively to spread the reform in those regions and is considered one of the first founders of the Observant province of Cologne, of which he was vicar.
His fame is linked, besides various spiritual, historical, and poetic works, to the preaching that he carried out fervently and with fearless zeal for about twenty years in his homeland, always accompanied by the example of a holy life. Dionysius the Carthusian dedicated his work De doctrina et regulis vitae christianae to him.
Principal works (in Flemish): Allegorical Sermon on Psalm 22: 5: Parasti in conspectu meo mensum...; 26 Collationes to his confrères of Kempen (cf. Ons geestelyk erf, Antwerp 1934, pp. 253–89; 1935, pp. 167–89; 1936, pp. 5–18), a Life of Jesus, a masterpiece of piety; Vita (s.) Ludwinae Virginis, frequently published and subsequently expanded twice by B. himself (in Acta SS. Aprilis, II, Antwerp 1675, pp. 270–302 and 303–64); De ruinis Observantiae, that is, Speculum Imperfectionis Fratrum Minorum..., a significant and informative work addressed to his confrères to warn them against laxity (ed. in Arch. franc. hist., 2 [1909], pp. 615–25, and Supplemento, ibid., 4 [1911], pp. 314–317). Various sermons and sacred poems that place him among the finest Flemish poets.