A Counter Reformation Commentary on the 'Cantico espiritual': Agustin Antolinez's Amores de Dios y el alma

Author

Evelyn M. Toft, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University

Date of Award

12-20-1996

Document Type

Graduate Paper

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Spirituality

Department

School of Theology and Seminary

First Advisor

Helen Rolfson OSF

Subject Categories

Christianity | History of Christianity | Religion

Abstract

Antolinez's seventeenth century commentary on Juan de la Cruz's poem, "Cantico espiritual", differs from the commentary written by Juan himself in ways which reflect the winds of reform and reaction that buffeted the Discalced Carmelite order and Counter Reformation Spain. Whereas Juan's commentary champions contemplative spirituality without reservation and makes frequent direct references to transcendental contemplative experience, Antolinez does not. Antolinez avoids discussion of topics which would draw the attention of the Inquisition. Rather than focus on contemplative experience and the exercise of faith to prepare for it, Antolinez seeks to accommodate Juan's poem to the attitudes of the Counter Reformation by appealing to the imagination and focsing on the narrative level of the poem. The discalced Carmelites delayed the publication of Juan's "Cantico espiritual". On the defensive because of Juan's teaching, many of them favored Antolinez's Amores de Dios y el alma.

Comments

Access restricted to College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University on-campus users.

Recommended Citation

Toft, Evelyn M., "A Counter Reformation Commentary on the 'Cantico espiritual': Agustin Antolinez's Amores de Dios y el alma" (1996). School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses. 1525.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/sot_papers/1525