Asceticism & Mysticism
Ascetica E Mistica · 392 articles · Principal contributors · All subjects-
Abandonment (ABBANDONO)
ABANDONMENT. - I. ASCETICA. - 1. Notions. - Abandonment (virtue, spirit, act of abandonment) is an attitude of the spiritual life of high… -
Abjection (ABIEZIONE)
ABJECTION. - In ascetics, according to the etymology of the term (abicere), it means the generous renunciation of one's own personality or… -
Adam of Saint Victor (ADAMO DI SAN VITTORE)
ADAM OF SAINT VICTOR. - Regular canon, one of the most renowned authors of liturgical sequences. Biographical information is scarce.… -
Adolfo da Denderwindeke
ADOLFO da DENDERWINDEKE. - Capuchin ascetical author, b. at Denderwindeke (Belgium) on 1 May 1863, d. on 7 Dec. 1925. In the Order he was… -
Agnes of Bilzheim (AGNESE DI BILZHEIM)
AGNES OF BILZHEIM. - German Dominican mystic, died at the end of the 13th century. She lived as a conversa in the Dominican monastery of… -
Aguado, Francesco
AGUADO, FRANCESCO. - Spanish Jesuit, b. at Torrejón de Ardoz on 11 Oct. 1572, d. at Madrid on 15 Jan. 1654. He spent his whole life in… -
Albaspina, Nicola
ALBASPINA, NICOLA. - Ascetical writer of the Conventual Friars Minor, b. in France ca. 1550, d. after 1620. He was guardian of the convent… -
Albertano degli Albertani
ALBERTANO degli ALBERTANI. - Judge of Brescia, of the 13th century. From the explicit of his first treatise, dedicated to his son Vincenzo:… -
Alberti, Giovanni Andrea
ALBERTI, GIOVANNI ANDREA. - Italian Jesuit, b. at Nice in 1610, d. at Genoa on 4 July 1657. He was a praised preacher, and some oratorical… -
Alessandrino de La Ciotat
ALESSANDRINO de LA CIOTAT. - Capuchin mystical writer, in the world Honoré Colombo, b. at La Ciotat (Lower Provence) in 1629, took the… -
Alessandro of Saint Francis (ALESSANDRO DI SAN FRANCESCO)
ALESSANDRO OF SAINT FRANCIS. - Discalced Carmelite ascetical writer, of the noble Ubaldini family (by name Lelio), b. in Rome on 18 Oct.… -
Alfonso of Jesus Mary (ALFONSO DI GESÙ MARIA)
ALFONSO OF JESUS MARY. - Spanish Discalced Carmelite ascetical writer, b. in 1565 at Villarejo (Cuenca) to noble parents, d. 18 Dec. 1638.… -
Álvarez, Baltasar
ÁLVAREZ, BALTASAR. - Spanish ascetical theologian, b. at Cervera del Rio Alhama (1533 or 1534), d. at Belmonte (Toledo) on 25 July 1580. A… -
Ambrosiani, Vincenzo
AMBROSIANI, VINCENZO. - Ascetical writer, b. at Monacilioni (Campobasso) on 9 February 1839, d. there in 1895. He entered the Congregation… -
Ambrosio Maria of Saint Barbara (AMBROGIO MARIA DI SANTA BARBARA)
AMBROSIO MARIA OF SAINT BARBARA. - Discalced Carmelite ascetical writer, in the world G. Domenico Solari, b. in 1645 in Milan, where he… -
Améline, Claude
AMÉLINE, CLAUDE. - Oratorian theologian, b. in Paris in 1635, d. there in 1706. At the age of 25 he entered the Oratory and there made the… -
Ancion, Pascal
ANCION, PASCAL. - Belgian Franciscan, preacher and ascetical writer, b. at Fraipont, d. at Verviers on 3 Jan. 1785. He spread everywhere… -
Ancrene Riwle (« Rule of the Anchorites ») (ANCRENE RIWLE (« REGOLA DELLE ANACORETE »))
ANCRENE RIWLE (« Rule of the Anchorites »). - Ascetic treatise by an unknown author, dedicated to recluses and hermits, composed before… -
Andrade, Alfonso de
ANDRADE, ALFONSO de. - Ascetical writer, b. at Toledo (1590), a Jesuit in 1612, professor of philosophy and theology, qualificator of the… -
Andrea d'Arco
ANDREA d'ARCO. - Franciscan, missionary and ascetic writer, b. at Arco in 1597 to the Zanoni family, d. at Borgo Valsugana in 1674. He… -
Andries, Josse
ANDRIES, JOSSE. - A prolific preacher and ascetical writer, b. at Courtrai (Belgium) in 1588, a Jesuit in 1606, d. at Brussels on 21 Dec.… -
Andriveau, Apolline
ANDRIVEAU, APOLLINE. - Daughter of Charity, b. in France at Saint-Pourçain (Allier) on 7 May 1810. Having embraced the religious life in… -
Angela of Foligno, Blessed (ANGELA DA FOLIGNO, BEATA)
ANGELA OF FOLIGNO, Blessed. - Mystic, b. at Foligno ca. 1248, d. 4 January 1309. Her conversion is fixed at 1285, when she felt inspired to… -
Angelico of Bari (ANGELICO DA BARI)
ANGELICO OF BARI. - Franciscan ascetical writer, of the province of the Reformed Friars of Bari, lecturer in theology, d. in 1704 at… -
Angelo Maria Da Vicenza
ANGELO MARIA da VICENZA. - Capuchin theologian and preacher, in the world Marchesini, famous in his time, b. at Vicenza in 1615, d. there… -
Ansalone, Pietro
ANSALONE, PIETRO. - Ascetical writer, b. at S. Severino (Salerno) in 1633, d. at Naples in 1713. Having entered the Society of Jesus in… -
Anselm of Esch (ANSELMO D'ESCH)
ANSELM OF ESCH. - Capuchin ascetical writer, b. at Esch-sur-la-Sure (Luxembourg), probably in 1710, d. at Mondorf on 21 Nov. 1783. Neither… -
Anthony of Amandola, Blessed (ANTONIO DA AMANDOLA, BEATO)
ANTHONY OF AMANDOLA, Blessed. - Augustinian preacher, born to the peasant Sempliciano Migliorati (Megliorati, Meliorati) on 17 January 1355… -
Antonia of Brescia (ANTONIA DI BRESCIA)
ANTONIA OF BRESCIA. - Dominican mystic, b. in Brescia around 1407, d. in Ferrara on 27 Oct. 1507. Of the Guaineri family, she grew up most… -
Antoniewicz (Boloż-Antoniewicz), Karol (ANTONIEWICZ (BOLOZ-ANTONIEWICZ), KAROL)
ANTONIEWICZ (Boloż-Antoniewicz), Karol. - Polish Jesuit preacher and ascetical writer, b. of a noble family of the Armenian rite on 6 Nov.… -
Antoniotti, Amedeo
ANTONIOTTI, AMEDEO. - Ascetical writer, b. at Biella in 1634, d. in 1712. Having become a Barnabite in 1654, he promoted Christian piety by… -
Apathy (Ἀπάθεια) (APATIA (ἈΠΌΘΕΤΑ))
APATHY (Ἀπάθεια). - Etymologically it is equivalent to the "absence of passions" and to the imperturbability of the soul. 1. ORIENTAL… -
Apparition (APPARIZIONE)
APPARITION. - A supernatural and sensory manifestation by which a spiritual or corporeal object makes itself present to the external or… -
Appelmans, Gheraert
APPELMANS, GHERAERT. - Flemish hermit, who lived between c. 1250 and 1325, known only as a mystical writer, for his original and profound… -
Aquilini, Ignazio
AQUILINI, IGNAZIO. - Dominican from Amata, born in Ragusa in 1632, died there in the convent of Val di Noce on 7 April 1715. His studies,… -
Arab-Spanish, Ascetic-Mystic Writers (ARABO-SPAGNOLI, SCRITTORI ASCETICO-MISTICI)
ARAB-SPANISH, ASCETIC-MYSTIC WRITERS. - The long period of Islamic domination in Spain (more than 7 centuries: 711-1492), with the… -
Arbiol y Díez, Antonio (ARBIOL Y DIEZ, ANTONIO)
ARBIOL Y DÍEZ, ANTONIO. - Spanish Franciscan, preacher and mystical writer, b. at Torrellas in 1651, d. at Saragossa on 31 January 1726. In… -
Arévalo, Rodrigo de
ARÉVALO, RODRIGO de. - Spanish ecclesiastical diplomat and writer, b. at S. Maria de Nueva (Segovia) in 1404, d. in Rome on 4 Oct. 1470. At… -
Arias, Francisco
ARIAS, FRANCISCO. - Ascetical writer, b. in Seville in 1533, entered the Society of Jesus in 1561, being already a priest and a graduate of… -
Arnoldi, Heinrich
ARNOLDI, HEINRICH. - Carthusian ascetical writer. Born in 1407 at Alfeld (whence the appellation de Allevaldia) in Saxony, he pursued… -
Arnoldo of Bohéries (ARNOLDO DI BOHÉRIES)
ARNOLDO OF BOHÉRIES. - Cistercian monk of Bohéries (diocese of Laon, today Soissons), who probably lived at the end of the 12th century. He… -
Ars Moriendi
ARS MORIENDI. - An ascetical booklet in Latin, very widely circulated in the early days of printing (15th century), with exhortations and… -
Ascetical Theology (ASCETICA, TEOLOGIA)
ASCETICS, THEOLOGY. - Systematic doctrine concerning ascesis (v.). The formula "t. a." seems to go back only to the 17th century (in the… -
Asceticism (ASCESI)
ASCETICISM. - A methodical effort to repress the lower tendencies of nature in order to progressively realize spiritual perfection.… -
Asperti, Samuele
ASPERTI, SAMUELE. - Jesuit spiritual director, b. at Gorlago (Bergamo) in 1818, d. at Mantua on June 20, 1896. Ordained a priest at… -
Astete, Gaspar
ASTETE, GASPAR. - Distinguished Spanish catechist, b. at Salamanca ca. 1537, a Jesuit in 1555; he was master of novices, rector of the… -
Athanasius, Varuchas (ATANASIO, VARUCHAS)
ATHANASIUS, VARUCHAS. - Cretan hieromonk, d. 1708, author and translator of many ascetic books. Worth noting: 1) the translation into… -
Aubry, Noël-Véran
AUBRY, NOËL-VÉRAN. - Ascetical writer, b. at Orgon (Avignon) on 23 March 1719, d. at Avignon on 8 January 1756. Having entered the… -
Auger, Emond
AUGER, EMOND. - One of the most distinguished of the early French Jesuits. Born in Aleman (Champagne) in 1539, he was admitted into the… -
Aurifaber (Goldsmid), Aegidius
AURIFABER (GOLDSMID), AEGIDIUS. - Ascetical writer of the Charterhouse of Würzburg (Germany), d. 20 February 1466 as vicar of the… -
Avrillon, Jean-Baptiste-Élie (AVRILLON, JEAN-BAPTISTE-ELIE)
AVRILLON, JEAN-BAPTISTE-ÉLIE. - Ascetical theologian, b. 1 January 1652 in Paris, d. there 16 May 1729. He professed the rule of the Minims… -
Baccari, Francesco
BACCARI, FRANCESCO. - Priest, architect and ascetical writer, b. at Lendinara (Rovigo) on 11 Aug. 1747, d. at Rome on 3 March 1835. At the… -
Bacci, Pietro Giacomo
BACCI, PIETRO GIACOMO. - Aretine, priest of the Congregation of the Oratory in Rome, where he died in 1656. He is known for his Vita del b.… -
Bach y Targarona, Pedro
BACH Y TARGARONA, PEDRO. - Catalan Oratorian, b. 1 May 1796 at San Lorenzo de los Munts (Barcelona), d. at Vich on 6 Jan. 1866. He did his… -
Bail, Louis
BAIL, LOUIS. - Theologian and ascetical writer, b. at Abbeville in 1610, d. at Paris in 1669. A doctor of the Sorbonne in 1628, curate at… -
Baiolé, André (BAIOLE, ANDRÉ)
BAIOLÉ, ANDRÉ. - Theologian, b. at Condom in 1590, a Jesuit from 1608, d. at Avignon in 1660, published in Paris in 1649 a treatise on La… -
Baker, David Augustine
BAKER, DAVID AUGUSTINE. - English Benedictine and ascetical writer, b. at Abergavenny on 9 Dec. 1575, d. in London on 9 Aug. 1641. Brought… -
Baldassare of Saint Catherine of Siena (BALDASSARE DI SANTA CATERINA DA SIENA)
BALDASSARE OF SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA. - Discalced Carmelite mystical theologian, in the world Machiavelli, b. at Bologna in 1597, d.… -
Baldassarri, Domenico Antonio
BALDASSARRI, DOMENICO ANTONIO. - Theologian of the Conventual Friars Minor, b. at Osimo in 1713, d. at Montegiorgio on 8 Jan. 1791. His… -
Balducci, Nicola
BALDUCCI, NICOLA. - Ascetical writer, b. in Rome at the beginning of the 17th century, d. in 1684. An apostolic acolyte, then an Oratorian,… -
Baldwin of Canterbury (or of Ford) (BALDOVINO DI CANTERBURY (O DI FORD))
BALDWIN OF CANTERBURY (or of Ford). - English bishop and theologian, b. in Devonshire and d. at Tyre in Syria in Oct. 1190. He found his… -
Balinghem, Antoine de
BALINGHEM, Antoine de. - Ascetical author, b. at Saint-Omer on 25 June 1571, d. at Lille on 28 Jan. 1630. A Jesuit from 1588, after his… -
Banchi, Serafino
BANCHI, SERAFINO. - Dominican writer, b. in Florence in the second half of the 1500s, d. in Paris > (phot. Alinari) > BANCO - B. in carved… -
Barbo, Ludovico
BARBO, LUDOVICO. - Reformer of Benedictine monastic life and distinguished ascetical writer, b. in Venice in 1381 or 1382, d. there in… -
Barnaba di Palma
BARNABA di PALMA. - Spanish Franciscan, born in Palma (Cordova) to a humble Sicilian family (whence he is also called B. of Sicily) in… -
Barone, Veronica
BARONE, VERONICA. - Mystic, b. at Vizzini (Catania) on 16 Dec. 1856, d. there in the odor of sanctity on 4 Jan. 1878. At Baptism she… -
Barré, Nicolas
BARRÉ, NICOLAS. - Popular educator and ascetical writer, b. at Amiens on 21 Oct. 1621, d. in the odor of sanctity at Paris on 31 May 1686.… -
Barron, Vicente (BARRÓN, VICENTE)
BARRON, VICENTE. - Spanish Dominican, confessor of St. Teresa, b. around 1505. He studied at the theological college of the Dominicans in… -
Bartholi (Bartoli), Francesco
BARTHOLI (BARTOLI), FRANCESCO. - Franciscan preacher and writer, also called, erroneously according to A. Mercati, Della Rossa or Rubeae. A… -
Battista da Crema
BATTISTA DA CREMA. - Dominican ascetical writer and director, in the world Carioni, b. at Crema probably around 1460. He appears to have… -
Baudot, Jules
BAUDOT, JULES. - Benedictine, b. at Notre-Dame-de-l'Isle (Eure) on 4 Aug. 1857, d. at the abbey of St. Michel de Farnborough on 24 Dec.… -
Baudouin, Louis-Marie, Venerable (BAUDOUIN, LOUIS-MARIE, VENERABILE)
BAUDOUIN, Louis-Marie, Venerable. - Priest, b. at Montaigu on 2 Aug. 1765, d. at Chavagnes on 12 Feb. 1835. A vicar at Luçon, he was… -
Baudrand, Barthélemy
BAUDRAND, BARTHÉLEMY. - Ascetical writer, b. at Névache (Hautes-Alpes) in 1701, a Jesuit in 1721, subsequently professor, preacher and… -
Baunard, Louis-Pierre-André
BAUNARD, LOUIS-PIERRE-ANDRÉ. - French prelate and writer, b. at Bellegarde in 1828, ordained priest in 1852, d. in 1919. Already known as… -
Bayma, Giuseppe
BAYMA, GIUSEPPE. - Theologian and scientist, b. at Chieri on 9 Nov. 1816, d. at Santa Clara on 7 Feb. 1892. Having entered the Society of… -
Bazin, Jean-Baptiste
BAZIN, JEAN-BAPTISTE. - French Franciscan ascetical writer, b. at Auxonne (Côte-d'Or) in 1637, d. at Dijon in 1708. A bachelor of theology… -
Beatrice della Concezione
BEATRICE della CONCEZIONE. - Clarisse mystic, b. in 1594, d. in 1646, natural daughter of the Duke of Terranova. Shut up by force by her… -
Beaucousin, Richard
BEAUCOUSIN, RICHARD. - Carthusian, b. in Paris in 1561, d. in the odor of sanctity in the charterhouse of Cahors on 8 Aug. 1610. After… -
Beguines and Beghards (BEGHINE E BEGARDI)
BEGUINES AND BEGHARDS. - The Beguines belong to that category of persons who follow a life midway between that of simple laypeople and that… -
Bellintani, Mattia da Salò
BELLINTANI, MATTIA DA SALÒ. - Capuchin preacher and writer, b. at Gazzane (Roè Volciano) on 29 June 1535, d. on 20 July 1611. He was… -
Bellinzaga (Berinzaga) Lomazzi, Isabella Cristina
BELLINZAGA (Berinzaga) Lomazzi, Isabella Cristina. - Mystic, whose doctrine had a wide influence on the later school of spirituality, also… -
Bembo, Illuminata
BEMBO, ILLUMINATA. - A Poor Clare of rare culture and virtue, daughter of Lorenzo Bembo, Venetian senator. In 1432 she took the habit of… -
Benedict of Canfield (BENEDETTO DA CANFIELD)
BENEDICT OF CANFIELD. - In the world William Filch; Capuchin mystical writer, b. in the county of Essex (England) in 1562, d. in the… -
Benevolence, Love of (BENEVOLENZA, AMORE DI)
BENEVOLENCE, Love of. - The supreme species of love, whose motive is not the advantage of the lover ("love of concupiscence"), but the good… -
Benignity (BENIGNITÀ)
BENIGNITY. - It is that disposition of soul by which one is glad and takes pleasure in doing good to others. While distinguishing it from… -
Benigno, Visdomini (BENIGNO VISDOMINI)
BENIGNO, VISDOMINI. - Abbot general of the Vallombrosans, born at Montevarchi in Tuscany to a noble family related to St. John Gualbert,… -
Berengoz of Trier (BERENGOZ DI TREVIRI)
BERENGOZ OF TRIER. - Benedictine abbot of St. Maximin, to whose benefit he devoted himself by reclaiming from Henry V various rights and… -
Bernadot, Marie-Vincent
BERNADOT, MARIE-VINCENT. - French Dominican b. June 14, 1883, d. at Labastide-l'Evêque on June 25, 1941, an active promoter of the… -
Bernard, Claude
BERNARD, CLAUDE. - French priest known as the poor priest, b. at Dijon, to a distinguished magistrate, on 26 Dec. 1588, d. at Paris on 23… -
Bernières-Louvigny, Jean De
BERNIÈRES-LOUVIGNY, JEAN de. - French mystical writer, b. at Caen in 1602, d. there on 3 May 1659. Devoted to good works from his youth and… -
Berthier, Guillaume-Joseph
BERTHIER, GUILLAUME-JOSEPH. - French Jesuit, historian, publicist and ascetical author, b. at Issoudun on 7 April 1704, entered the… -
Bertini, Giovanni Maria
BERTINI, GIOVANNI MARIA. - Dominican theologian, b. in Palermo around 1610, d. there in the odor of sanctity on 15 February 1669. He… -
Bertot, Abbé
BERTOT, ABBÉ. - French priest, b. in Normandy around 1620, a friend of Jean de Bernières, and d. in 1681; he was one of the first directors… -
Berzi, Angelo
BERZI, ANGELO. - Bergamasque theologian, b. at Chiuduno on 8 May 1815 and d. there on 10 Jan. 1884. He completed his studies at the… -
Besozzi, Giampietro
BESOZZI, GIAMPIETRO. - Ascetical writer, b. in Milan of a noble family in 1503, d. there in the odour of sanctity in 1584. He belonged to… -
Bettini (Bertieri), Antonio
BETTINI (BERTIERI), ANTONIO. - Bishop and member of the Jesuati, b. at Siena in June 1396, d. there on 22 Oct. 1487. At Siena he received… -
Bianco (di Santi), Blessed, of Siena (BIANCO (DI SANTI) DA SIENA)
BIANCO (di Santi), Blessed, of Siena. - Mystical poet, Gesuato, one of the most remarkable figures of the movement begun by the blessed… -
Bilocation (BILOCAZIONE)
BILOCATION. - From the Latin bis and locatio, the simultaneous presence of a person in two different places. Among the portentous facts… -
Binet, Étienne (BINET, ETIENNE)
BINET, ÉTIENNE. - Ascetical writer, b. at Dijon in 1569, d. at Paris in 1639. He entered the Society of Jesus in Italy at Novellara in… -
Biondini, Maria Arcangela
BIONDINI, MARIA ARCANGELA. - Mystical writer, b. June 24, 1641 to Venetian parents in Corfu, where her father was governor, d. at Arco… -
Bona, Giovanni
BONA, GIOVANNI. - Cardinal, a most learned ascetical and historical-liturgical writer, b. at Pian della Valle near Mondovì on 10 Oct. 1609,… -
Bonilla, Juan de
BONILLA, JUAN de. - Spanish Franciscan, b. around the middle of the 16th century. In 1571 he was superior of the Observant convent of… -
Bon, Maria dell'Incarnazione
BON, MARIA DELL'INCARNAZIONE. - Ursuline at St-Marcellin (Dauphiné), b. in 1636, d. in 1680. She wrote a treatise on mental prayer, of… -
Boppert, Konrad
BOPPERT, KONRAD. - Ascetical writer, b. at Constance on 10 February 1750, d. at St. Paul in Carinthia on 31 July 1811. A Benedictine monk… -
Borgo, Carlo
BORGO, CARLO. - Scholar and polemicist, b. at Vicenza on 26 July 1731, d. at Parma in 1794. Having become a Jesuit in 1746, he taught… -
Bosch De Centellas Y Cordon, Balthasar (BOSCH DE CENTELLAS Y CORDONA, BALTHASAR)
BOSCH DE CENTELLAS Y CORDON, BALTHASAR. - Camillian, b. at Centellas (Spain) in 1650, d. at Madrid on 4 December 1714. He lived in… -
Bosso, Matteo
BOSSO, MATTEO. - Theologian, sacred orator, humanist, of the Canons Regular of the Lateran, b. of a noble Veronese family in 1427 or 28, d.… -
Bottens, Fulgentius
BOTTENS, FULGENTIUS. - Franciscan mystical writer, b. at Courtrai (Belgium) on 31 July (or 31 Aug.) 1637, d. at Bruges on 14 Oct. 1717. He… -
Boudon, Henri-Marie
BOUDON, HENRI-MARIE. - Ascetical writer, b. at La Fère (Aisne) on 14 Oct. 1624, d. at Evreux on 31 Aug. 1702. Archdeacon of Evreux from… -
Bourdoise, Adrien
BOURDOISE, ADRIEN. - French priest, b. at Brou in 1584, d. at Paris in 1665, apostle and reformer of the clergy, for whom he established in… -
Bourgoing, François
BOURGOING, FRANÇOIS. - French Oratorian, disciple of Bérulle (v.) and his second successor, b. in Paris on 18 March 1585, d. there on 22… -
Bourignon De La Porte, Antoinette
BOURIGNON DE LA PORTE, ANTOINETTE. - Visionary, b. 13 Jan. 1616 at Lille (France), d. 30 Oct. 1680. Of a restless, eccentric, fanciful… -
Boutault, Michel
BOUTAULT, MICHEL. - French Jesuit, b. in Paris on 1 Nov. 1608, entered the Order in 1625, d. at Pontoise on 12 May 1689, after a life spent… -
Bouvier, Pierre
BOUVIER, PIERRE. - French Jesuit, b. at Chantenay (Brittany) in 1848, d. at Paris in 1925. A preacher esteemed for his profound learning,… -
Branchereau, Louis
BRANCHEREAU, LOUIS. - French priest, b. at S. Pierre di Montlimart (Vendée) on 21 Dec. 1819, d. at Issy on 23 Dec. 1913. He entered St.… -
Brienza, Serafino
BRIENZA, SERAFINO. - A Dominican of the Neapolitan convent of S. Domenico Maggiore, master in theology, one of the greatest and most… -
Brill, Jakob
BRILL, JAKOB. - Dutch false mystic, b. at Leiden on 21 Jan. 1639, d. there on 28 Jan. 1700. He adhered to various Protestant mystical… -
Brisson, Louis-Alexandre
BRISSON, LOUIS-ALEXANDRE. - French priest, b. at Plancy (Aube) in 1817, d. there on 2 February 1908. Under the impulse of the Visitandine… -
Brugman, Johannes
BRUGMAN, JOHANNES. - Pious and learned Dutch preacher and man of letters, b. at Kempen toward the end of the 14th century, d. in the odor… -
Bruyère, Cécile
BRUYÈRE, CÉCILE. - Benedictine abbess, b. in Paris on 2 Oct. 1845, d. in the monastery of Ryde on 18 March 1909. Having entered the… -
Bugni, Clara
BUGNI, CLARA. - Mystic, b. in Venice on 4 Oct. 1471, d. on 17 Sept. 1514. She received the name Bianca at baptism. She joined the… -
Busquets, Pere
BUSQUETS, PERE. - Francesco, b. at S. Felix de Guixola in Catalonia, in the 15th century. A distinguished man of letters, he was one of the… -
Cabala of the Devout (CABALA DEI DEVOTI)
CABALA OF THE DEVOUT. - Nickname (Cabale des dévots) by which, in 17th-century France, the Company of the Most Blessed Sacrament (v.) was… -
Caesarius of Heisterbach (CESARIO DI HEISTERBACH)
CAESARIUS OF HEISTERBACH. - German Cistercian, b. at Cologne around 1180, d. around 1240. First master of novices, he was then prior of the… -
Camus, Jean-Pierre
CAMUS, JEAN-PIERRE. - Bishop and prolific polygraph, b. in Paris on 3 Nov. 1584, d. there on 25 Apr. 1652. He first embraced the magistracy… -
Capellis, Francesco Maria de
CAPELLIS, FRANCESCO MARIA de. - Capuchin liturgist and ascetical writer. A Bolognese, he held the highest offices in his religious province… -
Capilla, Andrés
CAPILLA, ANDRÉS. - Spanish Carthusian, ascetical writer. Born at Valencia in 1529, died at Urgel on 22 September 1609. Having entered the… -
Carafa, Maria Maddalena
CARAFA, MARIA MADDALENA. - Duchess of Andria, b. at S. Arcangelo in 1566 to Prince Lodovico, count of Stimigliano, d. at Naples on 29 Dec.… -
Cardaveraz, Agustín
CARDAVERAZ, AGUSTÍN. - Spanish Jesuit, b. at Hernani (Guipúzcoa) on 28 Dec. 1703, entered the novitiate of Loyola in 1724. After completing… -
Carpenter, Alexander
CARPENTER, ALEXANDER. - English writer, author of a Destructorium vitiorum, begun in 1429, in which the life of the clergy is severely… -
Carron, Guy-Toussaint-Julien
CARRON, GUY-TOUSSAINT-JULIEN. - Priest, ascetical writer, b. at Rennes on 23 February 1760, d. at Paris on 13 March 1821. He was, above… -
Casanovas, Ignasi
CASANOVAS, IGNASI. - Jesuit, b. at Santpedor (Catalonia) on 13 Aug. 1872, he entered the novitiate of Veruela in 1888. After his years of… -
Casimir of Marsala, Saint (CASIMIRO DA MARSALA)
CASIMIR OF MARSALA, Saint. - Capuchin theologian (secular name Casani), b. at Marsala ca. 1676, d. there on 15 Aug. 1762. Several times… -
Caswall, Edward
CASWALL, EDWARD. - English Oratorian poet, b. at Yately (Hampshire) to a Protestant minister on 15 July 1814, d. at Birmingham on 2 Jan.… -
Catenelle
CATENELLE. - As an instrument of penance, chains (Latin catenulae) are used by Christian ascetics either to flagellate themselves (v.… -
Catherine of Bologna, Saint (CATERINA DA BOLOGNA, SANTA)
CATHERINE OF BOLOGNA, Saint. - Born in Bologna on Sept. 8, 1413 to the noble Giovanni Vigri of Ferrara and to Benvenuta Manumolini of… -
Caussin, Nicolas
CAUSSIN, NICOLAS. - Jesuit, b. at Troyes on 27 May 1583, d. at Paris on 2 July 1651. Chosen, for his fame as a preacher and writer, by… -
Cecilia of the Nativity (CECILIA DELLA NATIVITÀ)
CECILIA OF THE NATIVITY. - Discalced Carmelite, in the world Cecilia Sobrino y Morillas, b. in 1570 at > (fol. Alinari) CECILIA, saint -… -
Centurione, Vittoria
CENTURIONE, VITTORIA. - In religion Paola Maria di Gesù, Discalced Carmelite, daughter of the nobles Stefano C. and Vicentina Lomellini of… -
Cepari, Virgilio
CEPARI, VIRGILIO. - Jesuit, hagiographer and ascetical writer, b. at Panicale on Lake Trasimeno in 1563 or '64, d. at Rome on 14 March… -
Certani, Giovanni Filippo
CERTANI, GIOVANNI FILIPPO. - Oratorian ascetical writer, b. in Bologna in 1646 to a noble Florentine family, d. 23 Nov. 1717. A relative of… -
Chambon, Marie-Marthe
CHAMBON, MARIE-MARTHE. - Born at La Croix-Rouge on 6 March 1841, died at Chambéry on 21 March 1907. A daughter of the countryside, she… -
Chamenia (Chameniá) (CHAMÉUNIA (ΧΑΜΕΝΊΑ))
CHAMENIA (Chameniá). - A penance familiar to Christian ascetics, consisting in sleeping on the bare ground (from χαμαι "on the ground" and… -
Champion, Pierre
CHAMPION, PIERRE. - French Jesuit, b. at Avranches on 19 Oct. 1631, d. at Nantes on 28 June 1701. He is known for his biographical works on… -
Chanon, Juan
CHANON, JUAN. - Benedictine of Montserrat (not correctly called Chanones), b. at Mirepoix (southern France) in 1489, died a holy death at… -
Chardon, Louis
CHARDON, LOUIS. - B. at Clermont (Oise) in 1595, d. at Paris on 17 Aug. 1651, Dominican mystical writer, much sought-after director and… -
Charity (CARITÀ)
CHARITY. - The third of the three theological virtues. SUMMARY: I. Theology of c. - II. History of c. - III. Iconography of c. I. THEOLOGY… -
Cherubino of Correggio (CHERUBINO DA CORREGGIO)
CHERUBINO OF CORREGGIO. - Capuchin preacher and scholar of the ancient province of Lombardy (Parma), b. 9 February 1636, d. at Modena 3… -
Chézard de Matel, Jeanne
CHÉZARD de MATEL, JEANNE. - French mystic from Roanne, b. 6 Nov. 1596, d. 11 Sept. 1670, foundress of the Congregation of the Incarnate… -
Chiavetta, Giacinto
CHIAVETTA, GIACINTO. - A Capuchin of the province of Messina, in religion Giacinto da Troina. Learned in ecclesiastical and civil law, he… -
Chiesa, Giannicola
CHIESA, GIANNICOLA. - Augustinian ascetic-mystical writer, b. in Genoa in 1695, d. 23 April 1782. He entered the Hermits of St. Augustine… -
Christian Perfection (PERFEZIONE CRISTIANA)
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. - In its ideal content it entails the complete realization of the Christian life as opposed to its beginnings, that… -
Cisneros, García de
CISNEROS, García de. - Spanish Benedictine monk, b. at Cisneros (León) in the second half of the 15th century. He was a cousin of the great… -
Claudia De Angelis
CLAUDIA DE ANGELIS. - Mystic, b. at Anagni in 1675, d. in 1715. Devoted from her earliest years to a life of piety and sacrifice, she was… -
Collenbusch, Samuel
COLLENBUSCH, SAMUEL. - Protestant Pietist and mystic, b. 1 Sept. 1724 at Wichlinghausen (near Barmen in the Rhenish Prussia), physician at… -
Compunction (Lat. Compunctio, Unknown to the Classics; Gr. Biblical Κατάνυξις) (COMPUNZIONE (LAT. COMPUNCTIO, IGNOTO AI CLASSICI; GR. BIBLICO ΚΑΤΈΝΥΞΙΣ))
COMPUNCTION (Lat. Compunctio, Unknown to the Classics; Gr. Biblical Κατάνυξις). - A feeling of sorrow and confusion caused by awareness of… -
Conrad of Rodenberg (CORRADO DI RODENBERG)
CONRAD OF RODENBERG. - Benedictine abbot, also known by the name C. Barscerier, b. at Rodenberg in an unknown year; d. at Rheingau on 15… -
Contemplation (CONTEMPLAZIONE)
CONTEMPLATION. - Etymologically it is the action of "gazing at length with great admiration and reflection." It can be either natural or… -
Contemplative Life (CONTEMPLATIVA, VITA)
CONTEMPLATIVE, LIFE. - A manner of life ordered to contemplation (v.), through the exclusion of external activities and concerns, not only… -
Cordoni, Bartolomeo da Città di Castello, Blessed (CORDONI, BARTOLOMEO DA CITTÀ DI CASTELLO, BEATO)
CORDONI, Bartolomeo da Città di Castello, Blessed. - Observant Franciscan of the Umbrian province, b. in 1471 of a noble family, d. near… -
Corona
CORONA. - This is the name of a particular form of prayer, in which the Our Father and the Hail Mary are recited, repeated over, with the… -
Counsel, Gift of (CONSIGLIO, DONO DEL)
COUNSEL, GIFT OF. - One of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is classified among the intellectual gifts, since it enlightens the… -
Cramer, Wilhelm
CRAMER, WILHELM. - Author of books on popular education and pastoral theology, b. at Oelde (Westphalia) on 3 March 1815, d. at Münster on… -
Crasset, Jean
CRASSET, JEAN. - Jesuit, b. at Dieppe on 3 Jan. 1618, d. at Paris on 4 Jan. 1692. He was a professor of letters and philosophy, a preacher… -
Cremisini, Antonio
CREMISINI, ANTONIO. - Ascetical writer, b. at Poggio Nativo (Rieti) on 13 June 1792, d. at Rome on 27 Oct. 1875. He entered the… -
Cyprian of the Nativity (CIPRIANO DELLA NATIVITÀ)
CYPRIAN OF THE NATIVITY. - Discalced Carmelite, in the world André de Compans, b. in Paris on 26 Nov. 1605, d. there on 16 Sept. 1680. He… -
Damascene the Studite (DAMASCENO LO STUDITA)
DAMASCENE THE STUDITE. - Greek preacher of the 16th century, b. at Thessalonica in an unknown year, d. in 1577. He was exarch in Little… -
David of Augsburg (DAVIDE DI AUGUSTA)
DAVID OF AUGSBURG. - German Franciscan, mystical writer and preacher, b. at Augsburg (Bavaria) ca. 1200, d. there on 15 or 19 Nov. 1272.… -
Delatte, Paul
DELATTE, PAUL. - Benedictine, b. at Jeumont (Cambrai) in 1848, d. on the Isle of Wight in 1937. In 1890 he was elected third abbot of the… -
Del Corona, Pio Alberto
DEL CORONA, PIO ALBERTO. - Dominican, b. at Livorno on July 5, 1837, d. at Florence on Aug. 15, 1912. A professor, writer, and eminent… -
Devine, Arthur
DEVINE, ARTHUR. - Passionist theologian, in religion Arthur of St. Paul of the Cross, b. at Kilmacter (Ireland) on 3 Dec. 1849, d. at Mount… -
Devotio Moderna
DEVOTIO MODERNA. - A movement of religious renewal which, having arisen in the Netherlands in the second half of the 14th century,… -
Devotion (DEVOZIONE)
DEVOTION. - I. GENERAL NOTIONS. - The word d. is not always rightly understood. This term is often confused with d. in the plural. The… -
Devotional Little Song (CANZONCINA DEVOTA)
DEVOTIONAL LITTLE SONG. - A brief lyrical composition in honor of God, the Virgin Mary and the saints, or didactic for the religious… -
Devotion to the Sorrowful Mother (ADDOLORATA, DEVOZIONE ALLA)
DEVOTION TO THE SORROWFUL MOTHER. - A devotion that commemorates the sorrows of the Virgin Mary during the various events of her earthly… -
Diego of Jesus (DIEGO DI GESÙ)
DIEGO OF JESUS. - Discalced Carmelite theologian, in the world Diego Salablanca, b. in Granada (Spain) in 1570, d. at Toledo on Sept. 3,… -
Dionysius the Carthusian (DIONIGI CERTOSINO)
DIONYSIUS THE CARTHUSIAN. - Theologian, exegete and mystic, b. at Ryckel (Belgian Limburg) in 1402, d. at Roermond on 12 March 1471. His… -
Discernment of Spirits (DISCERNIMENTO DEGLI SPIRITI)
DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS. - Supernatural wisdom (discretio spirituum), recommended by Sacred Scripture (I Thess. 5:19-21), which allows one… -
Discipline (DISCIPLINA)
DISCIPLINE. - An instrument of penance, which ordinarily consists of a set of cords or chains, small or large, simple or ending in bars and… -
Divine Presence (PRESENZA DI DIO)
DIVINE PRESENCE. - Respectful attentiveness to the presence of God, or "elevation of the soul," constitutes the fundamental act… -
Docta Ignorantia
DOCTA IGNORANTIA. - An expression deriving from letter 130 of St. Augustine to Proba, concerning the "quid oremus sicut oportet nescimus"… -
Domenico della Madre di Dio, Venerable (DOMENICO DELLA MADRE DI DIO, VENERABILE)
DOMENICO DELLA MADRE DI DIO, Venerable. - Passionist theologian, missionary and mystic, b. at Viterbo to the Barberi family on 22 June… -
Domenico of Prussia (of Trier) (DOMENICO DI PRUSSIA (DI TREVIRI))
DOMENICO OF PRUSSIA (of Trier). - Carthusian writer, b. in Prussia around the year 1382, d. at Trier on 21 Dec. 1460. Having entered the… -
Doyle, William
DOYLE, WILLIAM. - Irish Jesuit, b. March 3, 1873 at Melrose, Dalkey (Dublin), fell at Ypres on Aug. 16, 1917 in the First World War. Having… -
Družbicki, Kaspar
DRUŽBICKI, KASPAR. - Polish Jesuit, preacher and writer, b. 6 Jan. 1590 at Sieradz (Greater Poland), d. at Poznań on 2 Apr. 1662. He taught… -
Ecstasy (ESTASI)
ECSTASY. - A psychological state of man "outside himself" (ἔκστασις, from ἐξίστημι). The term can apply either in a good sense or in a bad… -
Emmerick, Anna Katharina
EMMERICK, ANNA KATHARINA. - Mystic, b. September 8, 1774 at Fiamale near Coesfeld (Westphalia), d. February 9, 1824 at Dülmen. Daughter of… -
Evangelical Counsels (CONSIGLI EVANGELICI)
EVANGELICAL COUNSELS. - Invitations, contained in the Gospel, to stable forms of virtue in the renunciation of natural goods that hinder… -
Faà di Bruno, Francesco
FAÀ DI BRUNO, FRANCESCO. - Priest, b. at Alessandria on 29 March 1885 into the well-known family, d. at Turin on 27 March 1888. A captain… -
Faber, Frederick William
FABER, FREDERICK WILLIAM. - Oratorian ascetical theologian, b. at Calverley (Yorkshire) on 28 June 1814, d. in London on 26 Sept. 1863. He… -
Ferrari, Paolo Agostino
FERRARI, PAOLO AGOSTINO. - Genoese Benedictine of the 17th century. He professed in the year 1649 in the monastery of St. Jerome of Cervara… -
Ferrero, Benigna Consolata
FERRERO, BENIGNA CONSOLATA. - Mystic, b. in Turin on 6 Aug. 1885, d. in Como on 1 Sept. 1916. She entered at the age of 22 the monastery of… -
Fieschi, Tommasina
FIESCHI, TOMMASINA. - Mystic, b. in Genoa ca. 1448, d. at Acquasola in 1534. Of the noble F. family, she was probably a distant blood… -
Flete, William
FLETE, WILLIAM. - Augustinian theologian, b. in England at the beginning of the 14th century. Already a bachelor in the universities of his… -
Flowers Of Virtue (FIORI DI VIRTÙ)
FLOWERS OF VIRTUE. - A classic work of civil and moral education, founded on the authority of the greatest theologians and philosophers;… -
Foch, Germain
FOCH, GERMAIN. - Jesuit spiritual writer, b. 8 Oct. 1854 at Tarbes (Hautes-Pyrénées), d. in Paris on 9 June 1920, brother of the Marshal of… -
Fonseca, Cristóbal de
FONSECA, CRISTÓBAL de. - Augustinian theologian and preacher, b. at S. Eulalia in the diocese of Toledo, professed among the Augustinians… -
Francis of Assisi, Saint (FRANCESCO D'ASSISI, SANTO)
FRANCIS OF ASSISI, saint. - Founder of three religious Orders (Friars Minor, Poor Clares, Franciscan Third Order), patron of Catholic… -
Franco, Antonio
FRANCO, ANTONIO. - Jesuit hagiographic writer, b. in 1662 at Montalvão in Portugal, d. 3 March 1732 at Evora. Besides the translation of… -
Franzini, Antonio
FRANZINI, ANTONIO. - Ascetical writer, b. at Mariana (Corsica) on 12 Jan. 1696, d. at Naples on 27 Apr. 1764. Admitted to the Congregation…