GROOTE, Geert (Gerardus Magnus). - Dutch mystic, b. at Deventer (province of Overijssel) in 1340, d. there on 20 Aug. 1384. He did his early studies in his native city; at the age of 15 he went to the University of Paris, where he was promoted (1358) magister artium. He continued his studies for about another 10 years in Paris, Prague and Orléans. Among the many sciences he studied, including physics, morals, astrology and theology, his taste inclined him principally to law, both Roman and canon. G. was praised as a man "ingenio acerrimus velut alter Augustinus." Probably in 1374 (according to the Jesuit J. van Ginneken, in 1370) the decisive event of his life took place: the conversion from a rather relaxed and worldly life to the interior and ascetic life, under the influence of the Carthusian Henry Egher of Kalkar. He spent some months at the charterhouse of Murnikhuizen near Arnhem, and then consecrated himself totally to the service of God. An energetic man, of notable austerity and firmness, he used his goods and the revenues of his canonries for the work of his life: the propagation of the devotio moderna, a current of Catholic reform that channeled itself into the foundations of which G. was, if not the organizer, certainly the spiritual father and the great promoter. The sisters and brothers of the Common Life, and a little later the Canons Regular of Windesheim (v.), developed in parallel and dominated the whole spirituality of the 15th century. G., ordained deacon in 1377, preached in many cities of Holland against the widespread abuses.
He wrote various treatises and letters in Latin and in Dutch, among them those against simony, against the "focarists" (concubinary priests), on Marriage (which he judges with excessive severity), etc. His ardor brought him many troubles, principally from religious of the Mendicant Orders, who criticized his foundations because in them people lived in common but without religious vows (except for the Congregation of Windesheim, which however arose later). G. had great esteem for the bl. G. Ruysbroeck, prior of Groenendael, went to visit him, and translated into Latin his masterpiece Die Cierheyt der Gheestelike Bruloccht (De excellentia nuptiarum spiritualium). Toward the end of his brief life he was forbidden to preach on the pretext that this pastoral activity was reserved to priests.
G. had the idea of having himself ordained a presbyter, but was forestalled by death. While an epidemic was raging at Deventer, G. contracted the disease at the bedside of a sick disciple, and died at only 44 years of age.
According to some, G. composed (in Dutch [J. van Ginneken] or in Latin [F. Kern]) his spiritual diary, which would contain in large part the essence of the first three books of the De imitatione Christi. But this attribution is still disputed.
G. undoubtedly gave rise to a great movement of Catholic reform, and propagated the exercise of the interior life on the basis of an eclectic spirituality that is concerned above all with the practical and ascetic side. He was therefore called the "Father of all the devout."
Bibliography4 works
Ludovico Moereels