CALDERA (Caldeira), Fernando. – Spanish mystical writer of the Order of Minims, born in Madrid c. 1560, died there in 1633. After completing his studies, he entered the Minims at the Madrid convent “La Victoria.” He distinguished himself as a preacher in various places and as a spiritual director.
He published: *Mystico theologia et exercitium fidei divinae et orationis mentalis* (Madrid 1623; enlarged new editions 1629 and 1632). This work, notable for the solidity of its doctrine, based on the Gospel and the writings of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross, was translated into Italian (*Mystica teologia e essercitio di fede viva et oratione mentale*, Rome 1638) and into French by Fr. Court (Paris 1636). Also noted are a *Sermón en el día de s. Francisco de Paula* (Alcalá 1622) and *Mística teologia y discreción de espíritus* (Valencia 1652).