Early Franciscan Literature

[zunshynn]

I'm interested in reading some early Franciscan literature... and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions?

Thanks L_D for recommending Armstrong's collection of the Early Documents... it looks awesome! I had seen it before at the monastery, but didn't really pay any attention to it because I thought it was just commentaries... but it's got so much in it! And I looked at some of the books that FUS uses for some of it's courses for the Franciscan Studies minor. Don't judge me.

So I had a couple of questions about them, if anyone has read them or can tell me anything.

I'm intrigued by Jacopone da Todi... I found some reviews of The Lauds, but I can't find a review of The God Madness... is it a long poem? a collection of poetry? Should you start with one or the other? I also noticed that his orthodoxy is questionable in some areas... in the sense that he seemed to side excessively with the spirituals? Is there any danger in reading his work without guidance from someone else?

What about Francisco de Osuna? What exactly is the Third Spiritual Alphabet? The related books that came up were like the Interior Castle, Dark Night and the Way of Perfection. Is it similar, like in it's treatment of the spiritual life?

I'd like to read Bonaventure too, and have read some of his lives of St. Francis and some of his sermons, but I don't really know what beyond that someone could read and understand more or less on their own. I probably would just be completely lost if I tried to read the Breviloquium or the Journey of the Mind to God, so I won't, more than likely, but is the Tree of Life fairly understandable? What exactly is it? I looked to see if I could find it online, or an excerpt, and I couldn't find anything. It's different from the Tree of the Crucified Life of Jesus, right?

And as far as more modern commentary/biography, etc, has anyone read Ilia Delio's books? What did you think of them if you have? Or do you have other books by modern authors on Franciscan spirituality, theology or history that you recommend?

Okay... I think I'm done spewing out questions.

Edited January 12, 2010 by zunshynn

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='12 January 2010 - 04:29 AM' timestamp='1263288593' post='2035292']
I'm interested in reading some early Franciscan literature... and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions?

Thanks L_D for recommending Armstrong's collection of the Early Documents... it looks awesome! I had seen it before at the monastery, but didn't really pay any attention to it because I thought it was just commentaries... but it's got so much in it! And I looked at some of the books that FUS uses for some of it's courses for the Franciscan Studies minor. Don't judge me.
[/quote]
Hey! Cool!


[quote name='zunshynn' date='12 January 2010 - 04:29 AM' timestamp='1263288593' post='2035292']I'm intrigued by Jacopone da Todi... I found some reviews of The Lauds, but I can't find a review of The God Madness... is it a long poem? a collection of poetry? Should you start with one or the other? I also noticed that his orthodoxy is questionable in some areas... in the sense that he seemed to side excessively with the spirituals? Is there any danger in reading his work without guidance from someone else?
[/quote]
I've read Jacopone's Lauds a couple of times and I think they're great. Not sure about that "God Madness" book but the theme of God's madness is typical of Jacopone and generally refers to the mystery of Christ's passion. I'm going to assume that the book you speak of is just a new translation of the lauds, or maybe a selection of the lauds that deal with the theme of Divine Madness.

Is it questionable? Well, technically yes, but I wouldn't call it dangerous. In one respect might it be questionable? 1. Jacopone is a poet and doesn't have a whole lot of concern for theological precision (the same can be said of many venerable Christian writers); 2. At least the Classics of Western Spirituality version uses a word or two that would be screened out by the phatmass philters if you know what I mean (but again, he often used the language of the peasants so big deal); 3. His writings (letter and poem) regarding the pope of the time (Boniface VIII) are notorious but still interesting to read (but of course one can just skip these things).

Yes, Jacopone sided with the Spirituals. He was excommunicated by Pope Boniface VIII and kept in a dungeon for years. Some of his friends were executed over these squabbles. Suffice it to say the man had some issues with that particular Pope. It is also helpful to realize that he believed he was living during the apocalypse. The Pope who succeeded Boniface was less hostile to Jacopone and brought him back into good standing with the Church. But I imagine many people would find his writings against Boniface VIII to be a bit shocking at times. My reaction when I read Jacopone was not so much scandal but just sorrow.


[quote name='zunshynn' date='12 January 2010 - 04:29 AM' timestamp='1263288593' post='2035292']What about Francisco de Osuna? What exactly is the Third Spiritual Alphabet? The related books that came up were like the Interior Castle, Dark Night and the Way of Perfection. Is it similar, like in it's treatment of the spiritual life?
[/quote]
Yes! I've read de Osuna as well so I can address this. First, the reason you're probably getting the related St. Teresa books is because Francisco de Osuna was one of the biggest influences on St. Teresa's spirituality. The Third Spiritual Alphabet was the book that her uncle gave her which started her on the path towards contemplative prayer and all that.

What exactly is it? Well, the alphabet format was a way of composing a treatise and was partly intended as a mnemonic structure but in the case of de Osuna's treatise is also meant to imply that it is an introductory type of book. I believe the analogy was that as one must learn the alphabet to be able to read this text provides a kind of alphabet for the spiritual life. Something like that anyway.

The book is not then what one might expect, an alphabetical list of spiritual aphorism or something, it is rather a pretty dense and somewhat daunting tome of mystical and ascetical theology. For an historical or scholar of the Franciscan tradition it is a pretty interesting read, but for a layperson looking for some edification and an introduction to the spiritual life I would say that there are better books out there (the works of St. Teresa for example). I fit into the class of reader that I would describe as a Catholic bibliophile, and I enjoyed the book but have never gone back for a second reading.

I'll continue my response later, g2g for a bit....

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='12 January 2010 - 04:29 AM' timestamp='1263288593' post='2035292']I'd like to read Bonaventure too, and have read some of his lives of St. Francis and some of his sermons, but I don't really know what beyond that someone could read and understand more or less on their own. I probably would just be completely lost if I tried to read the Breviloquium or the Journey of the Mind to God, so I won't, more than likely, but is the Tree of Life fairly understandable? What exactly is it? I looked to see if I could find it online, or an excerpt, and I couldn't find anything. It's different from the Tree of the Crucified Life of Jesus, right?
[/quote]
The Breviloquium is excellent and perfectly accessible. It is a Bonaventure's brief summary of fundamental theology. The Journey of the Mind to God (I just call it the [i]Itinerarium[/i]) is also something that Bonaventure wrote for beginning students and is simultaneously thought-provoking in a philosophical-theological kind of way, and spiritually edifying. It is also another great way to become introduced to the thought of St. Bonaventure. The Itinerarium was actually one of the first Catholic books that I read after my conversion. The Tree of Life is excellent and more along the lines of spiritual reflections following the theme of Christ as the Tree of Life. I read that for lent one year but haven't really studied the text in any scholarly (or wannabe scholarly) way.

[i]"It's different from the Tree of the Crucified Life of Jesus, right?"[/i]

Yeah, for sure. That is Ubertino of Casale, totally different guy, very different work.


[quote name='zunshynn' date='12 January 2010 - 04:29 AM' timestamp='1263288593' post='2035292']And as far as more modern commentary/biography, etc, has anyone read Ilia Delio's books? What did you think of them if you have? Or do you have other books by modern authors on Franciscan spirituality, theology or history that you recommend?
[/quote]
Yes! Haha, I've read most of Sr. Ilia Delio's books and a few of her essays that have appeared in journals over the years. Like her mentor Ewert Cousins I have a hard to recommending her books. [i]Simply Bonaventure[/i] is probably the least problematic of the texts I've read. There are certain orientations that color her writings imo. A preoccupation with interreligious dialog, multiculturalism, Teilhard de Chardin, process theology, feminism, et cetera. I just think that these tendencies could obfuscate the theology of St. Bonaventure for readers who are not already familiar with his thought. Basically there is a bit too much Delio-Cousins in her writings (generally speaking) for my taste and as I'm not dedicated to progressive agendas I find this to be regrettable.

The problem is that a lot of the really good Bonaventure books are out of print or not available in English. Because of this I would actually recommend Delio's [i]Simply Bonaventure[/i] as a quick general introduction but I would read it very critically. I thought her book [i]Crucified Love[/i] was pretty good too but I haven't even cracked it open in years so my impression may be specious.

My favorite source for Bonaventure is just the works of Bonaventure as published by the Franciscan Institute. The volumes tend to have good introductions and the set includes a volume that is nothing but an introduction to Bonaventure's thought. Problem is that it would take some time and loot to acquire this set.

More later...

[zunshynn]

Thank you so much!

A couple more questions that came to mind...

How valuable do you think the Index volume is to Armstrong's set on the early documents?

I would definitely take Ewert Cousins commentary to Bonaventures writings with a grain of salt, but is the translation itself in the Western Classics edition reasonable? It's much more in my price range... lol.

Have you read Moorman's History of the Franciscan Order?


Thanks again!

[zunshynn]

Oh, or what about Cajetan Esser's Origins of the Franciscan Order?

[Laudate_Dominum]

Hi Zunshynn!

[quote name='zunshynn' date='12 January 2010 - 01:59 PM' timestamp='1263322786' post='2035494']
How valuable do you think the Index volume is to Armstrong's set on the early documents?
[/quote]
If your main interest is to casually read the sources and be familiar with them then the index volume isn't particularly important. If you're hoping to do any kind of scholarly work having to do with Francis then the index may be indispensable.

[quote name='zunshynn' date='12 January 2010 - 01:59 PM' timestamp='1263322786' post='2035494']I would definitely take Ewert Cousins commentary to Bonaventures writings with a grain of salt, but is the translation itself in the Western Classics edition reasonable? It's much more in my price range... lol. [/quote]
Yeah, his translations are fine in my amateur opinion. In my opinion Zachary Hayes, Ewert Cousins and Philotheus Boehner all provide worthwhile translations of the [i]Itinerarium[/i]. I've never really systematically compared the various translations of the [i]Legenda maior[/i] or the [i]Lignum vitae[/i] but I don't recall having any issues with the brown volume you're referring to.

[quote name='zunshynn' date='12 January 2010 - 01:59 PM' timestamp='1263322786' post='2035494']Have you read Moorman's History of the Franciscan Order?

Oh, or what about Cajetan Esser's Origins of the Franciscan Order?
[/quote]
The name Cajetan Esser sounds familiar but I don't recall that particular book, however, Moorman's is a text that I've used and would very much recommend.

[zunshynn]

I just got the volume on Bonaventure's Writings Concerning the Franciscan Order from the Franciscan Institute series (pretty cool... I wasn't totally sure what I was getting ... the listing was sort of vague about what it actually was.) I was wondering though, I saw a different collection (the St. Anthony Guild one) had his Defense of the Mendicants in it... do you know if that's the same thing just titled differently? I was kind of looking for the thing he wrote on the Poverty of Christ in response to William of St. Amour, but it doesn't appear to be a part of the book that I got... fortunately it does seem interesting nonetheless.

I also just started reading the Theology of History in St. Bonaventure by Pope Benedict... It's fantastic! One of the most interesting books I've read by him so far, which is saying something because I have never not loved one of his books. Have you read it? I was a little unsure though, is it referring to the work [i]De Reductione Artium ad Theologiam[/i] or is the theology of history simply a recurring topic in Bonaventure's writings?

Edited January 19, 2010 by zunshynn

[zunshynn]

Ah... I just realized De Paupertate Christi and Apologia Pauperum are two different things... and both appear to be hard to find...

L_D... I think you should publish a new collection of Bonaventure's writings, including the ones that have been out of print for a while.

[Rising_Suns]

Dear Zynshunn,
May the peace of Christ be with you.

I am not sure if it was mentioned, but the Omnibus of Sources is considered the principle authority on Franciscan spirituality and history. It is required reading for all novices of the Franciscans of the Immaculate.

.

Edited January 26, 2010 by Rising_Suns

[zunshynn]

[quote name='Rising_Suns' date='26 January 2010 - 01:23 PM' timestamp='1264537427' post='2045136']
Dear Zynshunn,
May the peace of Christ be with you.

I am not sure if it was mentioned, but the Omnibus of Sources is considered the principle authority on Franciscan spirituality and history. It is required reading for all novices of the Franciscans of the Immaculate.

.
[/quote]

Thank you Rising Suns! I am familiar with the Omnibus of Sources... it was one of my favorite pieces of reading material during my own novitiate as a Poor Clare. Unfortunately, because it's out of print it is often very expensive.

I did get the 3 volume Early Documents of St. Francis of Assisi, which has the same material as the Omnibus, as well as other material including more early biographies... although I think the translation in the Omnibus is better.

Anyway, thanks again!

Are you/ have you been in novitiate with the FI, if I may ask? Or do you just know about them?