MATTIA (CAMAGNI) da PARMA. - Capuchin spiritual writer of the province of Bologna, born in 1599, he entered the Order on 1 Nov. 1622, and died at Parma on 24 Apr. 1676. Appointed preacher, he held the offices of master of the young and guardian.
He wrote a work entitled: Viaggio dell'anima per andare a Dio (Parma 1652 and 1658). This is perhaps the first manual of spiritual life written by an Italian Capuchin. Very few authors are cited in the work. Among those most used is s. Bonaventura; M. aims solely at the spiritual profit of souls; he does not appear to know the distinction between ordinary and extraordinary ways, that is, between “asceticism” and “mysticism”; he teaches the method of meditation, offers many examples of contemplations, colloquies, and affective prayers; but he does not expressly speak of infused contemplation.