Vita Christi
Encyclopedia
The Vita Christi, i.e. Life of Christ is the principal work of Ludolph of Saxony
, completed in 1374.
The book is not just a biography of Jesus, but a history, a commentary borrowed from the Church Fathers
, a series of dogmatic and moral dissertations, of spiritual instructions, meditations, and prayers. It was so popular in its time that it has been called a summa evangelica. The popularity of the book is attested to by the number of copies preserved in various libraries, beginning with the first two editions of Strasburg and Cologne, in 1474, to the last editions of Paris (folio, 1865, and 8vo, 1878).
The Vita Christi had significant influence on the development of techniques for Christian meditation
. It introduced the concept of immersing and projecting oneself into a Biblical scene about the life of Jesus which became popular among the Devotio Moderna
community. The Vita Christi was translated into Spanish in 1502 by Ambrosio Montesino and was printed in Alcala. The methods of meditation in the Vita Christi thus entered Spain and were known in the early part of the 16th century.
Ignatius of Loyola
used these techniques in his Spiritual exercises
, e.g. self-projection into a Biblical scene to start a conversation with Christ in Calvary
. Vita Christi is mentioned in most biographies of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
, who read it while recovering from a wound after the siege of Pamplona..
Ludolph of Saxony
Ludolph of Saxony , also known as Ludolphus de Saxonia and Ludolph the Carthusian, was a German Roman Catholic theologian of the fourteenth century.His principle work, Vita Christi was written in 1374...
, completed in 1374.
The book is not just a biography of Jesus, but a history, a commentary borrowed from the Church Fathers
Church Fathers
The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, Christian Fathers, or Fathers of the Church were early and influential theologians, eminent Christian teachers and great bishops. Their scholarly works were used as a precedent for centuries to come...
, a series of dogmatic and moral dissertations, of spiritual instructions, meditations, and prayers. It was so popular in its time that it has been called a summa evangelica. The popularity of the book is attested to by the number of copies preserved in various libraries, beginning with the first two editions of Strasburg and Cologne, in 1474, to the last editions of Paris (folio, 1865, and 8vo, 1878).
The Vita Christi had significant influence on the development of techniques for Christian meditation
Christian meditation
Christian meditation is a form of prayer in which a structured attempt is made to get in touch with and deliberately reflect upon the revelations of God. The word meditation comes from the Latin word meditārī, which has a range of meanings including to reflect on, to study and to practice...
. It introduced the concept of immersing and projecting oneself into a Biblical scene about the life of Jesus which became popular among the Devotio Moderna
Devotio Moderna
Devotio Moderna, or Modern Devotion, was a 14th century new religious movement, with Gerard Groote as a key founder. Other well known members included Thomas à Kempis who was the likely author of the book The Imitation of Christ which proved to be highly influential for centuries.Groote's initial...
community. The Vita Christi was translated into Spanish in 1502 by Ambrosio Montesino and was printed in Alcala. The methods of meditation in the Vita Christi thus entered Spain and were known in the early part of the 16th century.
Ignatius of Loyola
Ignatius of Loyola
Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish knight from a Basque noble family, hermit, priest since 1537, and theologian, who founded the Society of Jesus and was its first Superior General. Ignatius emerged as a religious leader during the Counter-Reformation...
used these techniques in his Spiritual exercises
Spiritual Exercises
Spiritual exercises may refer to:* Any spiritual practice dedicated towards increasing one's personal spirituality* Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, a book of spiritual practices of the Roman Catholic Jesuit order...
, e.g. self-projection into a Biblical scene to start a conversation with Christ in Calvary
Calvary
Calvary or Golgotha was the site, outside of ancient Jerusalem’s early first century walls, at which the crucifixion of Jesus is said to have occurred. Calvary and Golgotha are the English names for the site used in Western Christianity...
. Vita Christi is mentioned in most biographies of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Ignatius of Loyola
Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish knight from a Basque noble family, hermit, priest since 1537, and theologian, who founded the Society of Jesus and was its first Superior General. Ignatius emerged as a religious leader during the Counter-Reformation...
, who read it while recovering from a wound after the siege of Pamplona..