CORRADO di SASSONIA (Holzinger, Holthniker, Holtzuhler). — Franciscan, preacher, and ascetical writer, born at Braunschweig, probably at the beginning of the 13th century; died at Bologna on 30 May 1279. A lector at the Studium of Hildesheim, he was elected provincial minister of Saxony (1247). For 16 years he governed his province with zeal and prudence; having resigned this office at his own request in 1262, he resumed it following his reelection at the Chapter of Magdeburg in 1272. Death overtook him while he was traveling to the general Chapter of Assisi.
Among his works are the Commentaries on the four books of the Sentences, and a large number of unpublished Sermons, such as the Sermones de Tempore, de Sanctis, de Communi Sanctorum; a Quadragesimale, and perhaps also the Sermones ad Religiosos et Praelatos of cod. G. IX. 19 of Siena, from the 14th century. C.’s most famous work, however, attributed for several centuries to St. Bonaventure, is the Speculum Beatae M. Virginis, also known under the title Expositio de Salutatione Angelica, through which he earned a distinguished place among the ascetical writers of the 13th century. C. holds the opinion that Mary was sanctified before birth (lect. XI); and he reports the phrase that has remained famous: Maiorem mundum posset facere Deus, maius coelum posset facere Deus, maiorem matrem quam matrem Dei non posset facere Deus (lect. X).