More on the header images on the capdox homepage

Now there are more sets of images for the cycle of header images on the home page that include Australian scenes. I would be happy to hear what you think about their suitability and quality, etc... ilico@ozemail.com.au

The Soul's Deliberations and Prayers

Francesco da Fognano

Introduction by Costanzo Cargnoni OFM Cap

Translated by Br Patrick Colbourne O.F.M.Cap.

Francsco Visani (+ 1579) who was born in Fognano near Brisighella, in the Province of Bologna, was one of the best examples of preachers of the second half of the sixteenth century in Italy. In the tradition passed on in by the Order’s chronicles he was outstanding for his zeal for reform of morals, especially with regard to the curbing of luxury and provocative women’s fashions, as well as in his assistance to the poor in time of famine by devising novel ways of helping them. He also collaborated in the reform of many monasteries of nuns and inspired and founded certain Sodalities, such as those of Weavers and of Mariners at Rimini. It is noteworthy that his only spiritual work was printed for the Sodality of The Lord’s Body of Magdalene “in via S. Donato”, Bologna.

As we read in the Dedication, this work was intended to be “a way of practising a spiritual life that would teach you to direct your life in all the things that are most necessary for carrying on a Christian existence and which will promote divine life more strongly. The work will be understood better the more what is contained in it is put into practice.”

Nevertheless Francesco da Fognano composed it out of ideas taken from his sermons for his personal use. After the manuscript had fallen into the hands of a “bookseller”, named Girolomo Veneziano, he had it printed “for the special use of the Sodality”, as we read in the publisher’s caption on the cover, when Pellegrino Bonardo of Bologna published it. It is easy to conclude that if he offered it to The Sodality of the Body of the Lord, this “bookseller” would have been one of their most fervent and devoted members. This is also clear from what he wrote to “the brothers and sisters of the Sodality” when he presented the content of the book and its author: “… This spiritual work teaches how to enkindle love of Our Lord and of our neighbour, and prepares a person for all the virtues and how to avoid vices and sin and the pains of hell, and acquire eternal life. Here in a short time anyone who wants to be equipped with virtue and holy morals and who wants to know how to control his frail life can learn excellent and necessary things. Even more, this short and useful work ought to be embraced by all, especially those who want to live a Christian life, particularly members of Sodality of the Body of the Lord because it was written by a Capuchin Friar. It is known that these Friars definitely live a harsh life and set a good example to the world.”

The work is comprised of 40 “deliberations of the soul”, as the author expresses it, or forty topics for meditation, which, covering a wide range of considerations concerning being aware of God and His gifts, focus on the person of Jesus Christ and the mysteries of his life, his sayings and deeds as a teacher of virtue and holiness. The concluding meditations deal with love of neighbour and the spiritual life in practice, above all with respect to sorrow for sin and the celebration of Confession and Communion which overcome all vice and sin.

The method of meditation is very affective and practical. The texts are divided into two parts: the first contains “the conversation of the soul”, which is set out in an affective style indicating various points on which the soul dwells in order to kindle love; the second part is made up of a prayer that summarises these thoughts.

Following the order set out in the work (as contained in the index), the pages that have been chosen here are deliberations: n. 3, 5, 13, 20, 26, 38, and 39. Note the author’s consummate familiarity with Sacred Scripture, which he quotes in very simple and plain and yet incisive words. The word of God flows out in tiny thoughts that are suitable for simple people and are effective in bring them to love Jesus Christ and the spiritual life.

What are the new header images about?

The new set of header images does not reflect any Franciscan or Capuchin theme. Instead, they depict a few aspects of life in Italy. A second set of Italy images is in preparation. There will also be a set of Australian images.

capdox url

The capdox blog URL is: http://capdox.blogspot.com.au/

some capdox housekeeping

For quite some time (about three years), the software for the header module on the capdox site has been malfunctioning. The problem has been repaired with a software update and now the module functions correctly.
Visitors can now see a greater variety of header images on the homepage.
I usually change the selection of images once a week.
Here's a sample.

Bernardino Da Balvano

The Mirror of Prayer

Translated by Bro. Patrick Colbourne OFM Cap

Bernardino da Balvano (+ c. 1568/70) was an outstanding missionary and preacher who worked predominantly in the region of Southern Italy. Many small booklets which inspired popular piety over a long period of time were the result of his pastoral activities. The content and diversity of topics in these writings are to be found in a condensed fashion in his most important and most prolifically published booklet entitled The Mirror of Prayer which appeared in Messina in 1553 and was reprinted fourteen times within the space of about seventy years. It is a charming little pocket edition the product of both the concrete spiritual and apostolic experience of its author. In thirty-three very compact short chapters, as well as a final appendage (which in our opinion was a separate little work, entitled The Seven Rules for Good Living, which is mentioned by his biographers), the subject of interior prayer that leads to the gift of mystical experience through meditation on the mysteries of Christ is set out with great clarity, simplicity and emotion. However, it is not so much an authoritative and abstract lecture as it is a very practical manual in which the essential theoretical directives are passed on plainly and applied by means of concrete and realistic exercises that can be easily assimilated by the reader. It is this “practical quality” which makes the work popular in character and worthy of a spiritual guide and a true master of prayer.

Go to the Capdox article and document

A Scurrilous Letter to Paul III - text

Some time ago the essay A Scurrilous Letter to Paul III was posted on Capdox (here). For some reason, I overlooked the supplementary text containing the full transcription of the relevant manuscripts. As of today, that oversight is remedied.
This second document is in A3 landscape format and weighs in at 481 kb.
In synoptic layout, Benrath's slightly abbreviated transcription is compared with the two Guicciardini (Florence) Mss and the Sant Gallen Ms.

This letter is an example of a strident politicization of historiography. The author slanders Paul III, not so much for theological, but political reasons, while taking advantage of the scandal of Bernardino Ochino's flight to Geneva as well as his popular authority. The circulation of this letter would not have enhanced the reputation of the Capuchin Fraternity. Ochino's story demonstrates that a hermetically sealed demarcation  between Catholic and "Lutheran" or Protestant, or between spirituali (evangelicals) and intransigenti  in Italy in the 1530's and 1540's is inadequate. Such a polarised view will gain traction later.
Your comments (of whichever streak) are welcome, on this blog, or via email.