A Study on the Latin Prose of Jacopone da Todi (1230-1306)

This book offers a comprehensive study of Jacopone da Todi (1230–1306), a prominent Franciscan mystic and poet, whose Latin prose and vernacular laude have left a profound legacy on both medieval and modern Christian spirituality. Combining historical context with deep theological analysis, the work explores Jacopone's radical critique of ecclesiastical corruption, his emphasis on the ideals of poverty, humility, and suffering, and his mystical theology centered on the cross as the path to divine union. Each chapter examines his theological writings, including his Tractatus de Paupertate Christi, Tractatus de Ecclesia, and Tractatus de Iudicio, in addition to his profound engagement with biblical and patristic texts, his vision of reform, and the lasting influence of his works on later mystics such as John of the Cross, Teresa of Ávila, and the Catholic Reformation movements. By tracing Jacopone's influence across centuries, from the thirteenth century to the Counter-Reformation and beyond, this study illuminates his continuing relevance in contemporary discussions on Christian mysticism, personal spiritual transformation, and ecclesiastical renewal. The book positions Jacopone as both a theologian and mystic, offering a challenge to modern Christianity to revisit the radical poverty and humility of the Gospel, while engaging deeply with the suffering, purification, and transformation that are essential to true union with God.