GAETANO MARIA da BERGAMO. - Capuchin moral-ascetical theologian of the ancient province of Brescia, in the world Marco Migliorini, b. 25 Feb. 1672, d. 10 Sept. 1753. After completing his studies in jurisprudence in his native city, on 3 May 1691 he entered the Capuchins at Trenzano (Brescia). From 1695 to 1702 he studied philosophy, theology, Sacred Scripture and patristics. For about 40 years he preached with zeal in many regions. Then he withdrew in order to devote himself more deliberately to the apostolate of the pen, which he began around the age of 50, and in 30 years he wrote about 40 works, some of which had numerous translations and editions.

Opera omnia, Rome 1776-80 in 12 vols.; Monza-Milan 1812-76 in 33 small volumes. G.'s principal works are still useful today.

Moral theology: L'uomo apostolico istruito nella sua vocazione al confessionario (Bergamo 1726); Le quattro virtù cardinali... con le virtù annesse e co' vizi opposti (Venice 1752); Le teologali virtù... con le virtù annesse e co' vizi opposti (Rome 1779); Riflessioni sopra l'opinione probabile per i casi della coscienza (Brescia 1739); Riflessioni sopra l'attrizione e la costrizione (Venice 1753).

Spiritual theology: L'umiltà del cuore ideata in pensieri ed affetti ad eccitarne la pratica (Bergamo 1726); La fraterna carità ideata in riflessioni sacre e morali (ibid. 1728); Il Miserere esposto in pensieri ed affetti di umiltà e di penitenza (Venice 1752).

In all his works G. displays accuracy of analysis, knowledge of Scripture and of patristics, and the utmost deliberation. In moral theology he takes part in the controversies of his time, opposing probabilism, which he considered pernicious, and laxism. He fought actively against Jansenist rigorism. In spiritual theology G. is an excellent teacher of humility and charity. The enormous success of his Pensieri ed affetti sulla Passione di G. Cristo per ogni giorno dell'anno (Bergamo 1733) proves the effectiveness of his teaching. His volume Il Cappuccino ritirato per 20 giorni in se stesso (Milan 1719) was often reprinted and translated. As a philosopher G. is far less known; but his treatise Della cognizione di Dio impressa nella mente dell'uomo (Padua 1747) deserves to be considered.

Bibliography9 works

BIBL.: Fr. Ant. Zaccaria, Storia letteraria d'Italia, VIII, Modena 1755, pp. 532-33; Edouard d'Alençon, Frères Mineurs, in D'BC, VI, col. 856 4p.; Mazzucchelli, II, II, pp. 1925-36; Alesa, M. da Bergamo, Notizie storiche intorno alla sua ecc., in vol. I of the Roman ed. (1776); Valdemiro da Bergamo, I consenti e i Cappuccini bergamaschi, Milan 1885, pp. 101-10; id., I consenti e i Cappuccini bresciani, ibid. 1891, pp. 405-96; Etudes franciscaines, 40 (1928), p. 82; Ilario da Milano, Bibl. del FF. MM. Capp. di Lombardia, Florence 1937, pp. 119-88; Merodio da Nembo, Una scrittura ascetica del '700, G. M. da B., in Italia francescana, 25 (1950), pp. 34-43, 106-20.

@incollection{ec5_gaetano_maria_da_bergamo, author = {Felice da Mareto}, title = {Gaetano Maria da Bergamo}, booktitle = {Enciclopedia Cattolica}, volume = {V}, pages = {1846--1847}, note = {Cited by column}, publisher = {Ente per l’Enciclopedia Cattolica e per il Libro Cattolico}, address = {Città del Vaticano}, year = {1950}, url = {https://azioneromana.com/article/gaetano-maria-da-bergamo} }

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