VERRATI, GIOVANNI MARIA. — Carmelite theologian and controversialist, born in Ferrara ca. 1490, died there on 20 July 1563.
He taught Sacred Scripture and theology for many years in Bologna and Ferrara; he was definitor general of his Congregation and several times prior in Ferrara. A determined opponent of Lutheranism, he combated it in the *Disputationes adversus lutheranos* (Bologna 1538), where in fifteen treatises he addressed the most controversial points (faith and works, free will and predestination, the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist, Purgatory, and indulgences). Also with an anti-Lutheran thrust were: *Super sermone Domini in monte* (Venice 1547); *De incarnatione Verbi Domini* (ibid. 1551); *Homiliae*, or commentaries on the Sunday Gospels for the entire year (ibid. 1556). Among his pamphlets are to be noted: *De iustificatione* (ibid. 1547); *De divina et aeterna praedestinatione* (ibid. 1556); *De Gratia et libero arbitrio* (ibid. 1558); *De suffragiis annuisque legatis defunctorum* (ibid. 1558); and his final work in favor of the Council of Trent: *Contra responsiones et protestationes eorum, qui ad generale concilium venire contemnunt* (Ferrara 1561).