Penitence, Preaching and the Coming of the Reformation by Anne T. Thayer

Author:Anne T. Thayer [Thayer, Anne T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, General
ISBN: 9781351912327
Google: JTErDwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Published: 2017-07-05T01:29:58+00:00

The absolutionists

The third group of sermon collections is made up of those who emphasize confession in their preaching on the penitential process to such an extent that their treatment of contrition and satisfaction becomes minimal. Forgiveness is clearly centered on the absolution given by the priest in confession. These sermons place the least amount of responsibility on the penitent for penitential success and offer the most spiritual help to the penitent. This group is led by the Italian Franciscan Roberto Caracciolo, whose Quadragesimale de poenitentia was popular in print all over Europe. Also included are the Sermones dominicales of Olivier Maillard, popular in France, and the Sermones funebres of Gregorius Britannicus, popular in Italy.

In contrast with the theologically muddled moderate Meffreth, the absolutionists Caracciolo and Maillard are among the most theologically sophisticated of the preachers in this study. They are well aware of ongoing theological debates, but their own positions are quite clear. Both are Franciscans following the teaching of Duns Scotus. A caution is in order with respect to the reading of Britannicus. The collection surveyed here is a collection of funeral sermons; it would be unfair to label these as 'penitential preaching' per se. Nevertheless, in keeping with the pervasive concern with penitence seen in the sermon collections, its preface reveals that Britannicus had penitential concerns at heart as he prepared these sermons.

Since our order was instituted for the salvation of souls by divine inspiration from the beginning, it is right and consonant with reason, that the brothers of this order who are called preachers should apply themselves vigorously to the salutary office and should preach the most healthful truth, they should exhort men to penitence, away from the old life of guilt, promising forgiveness by divine grace. And because in the execution of this office to provide for the brothers, often assigned to the task by prelates on account of the general flux of human mortality, led by divine suggestion and moved by the needs of the brothers and sisters for spiritual prizes, I began, focused on divine largesse, to compile a certain little book concerning the dead, to which junior brothers may turn and find materials according to the needs of the dead.124

Britannicus' sermons teach about death and comfort the bereaved. Yet the place of penitence in the life of the deceased is a key aspect of the comfort he can offer. Reading through these sermons, one is struck by the confidence of the preacher that the deceased went to heaven, based on the sacraments of the church and the virtuous life lived.125

The overall penitential message of these absolutionist collections is encouraging and helpful. Although all these preachers acknowledge the mercy of God in the penitential process, this is particularly characteristic of Caracciolo. A sermon for the Wednesday after Septuagesima is entitled 'Concerning the infinite mercy of God by which the Father, most pious and sweet, calls the soul to penitence, even freely promising to all the worst sinners forgiveness and remission'.126 It begins, 'God, the

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