JOHN OF SCHOONHOVEN. - Mystical theologian, b. in the village of Schoonhoven (Gouda, Netherlands) ca. 1335, d. at Groenendaal on 22 Jan. 1432. He studied from 1370 to 1374 at the University of Paris. Around 1377-78 he entered the Canons Regular of St. Augustine at Groenendaal. Appointed prior around 1410, he probably held that office until his death.
He took an active part in the various changes to the statute of his Congregation, which ended with its affiliation to the Chapter of Windesheim (1412). Given the esteem in which he was held by his confreres, he was entrusted with the capitular sermon at Windesheim. The great number of manuscripts and of his various works and the influence he exercised on many writers testify strongly in his favor. His style is limpid, clear, but impersonal, abstract, conventional, overloaded with biblical and patristic quotations and allusions. Full of good sense, J. tends toward practice and toward a well-founded asceticism, sheltered from any illusion. His treatises set out the principles of a spirituality very close to that of the Devotio moderna and of the Imitation of Christ. J.'s asceticism is entirely traditional, a little rudimentary, a little obscure, wholly imbued with a spirit of self-denial and contempt, as the title of one of his works, De contemptu mundi, indicates, in which everything strangely recalls the Imitation. The Life of Ruysbroeck, certainly written by J., would be lost if it had not been taken up almost in its entirety by Pomezio. J.'s controversy against Gerson, who so unfortunately attacked Ruysbroeck, is certainly a title to gratitude. The recent studies of Combes, though perhaps against the author's first intention, vindicate Ruysbroeck and his first apologist.
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Alberto Ampe