Giovanni Fidenza, Itinerarium mentis in Deum [The Soul's Journey into God]

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Itinerarium Mentis in Deum

is a masterpiece of medieval Christian spirituality written by Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (also known as Doctor Seraphicus or the “second father” of the Minorites) in 1259, shortly after his appointment as General Minister of the Franciscan order. The treatise outlines a seven-step journey of intellectual advancement and moral cleansing that elevates mankind from its terrestrial limitations towards a full enjoyment of its divine origin (

unio mystica

). Its straightforward and cohesive structure consists of a prologue and seven chapters that detail the itinerary that Bonaventure is presenting.

The book opens with a call for prayer and meditation, a prerequisite without which no real purification is possible. In the incipit, Doctor Seraphicus explains that he is

1301 words

Citation: Gelmi, Alberto. "Itinerarium mentis in Deum". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 October 2020 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=38979, accessed 31 October 2024.]

38979 Itinerarium mentis in Deum 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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