Catholic Spectacle and Rome's Jews: Early Modern Conversion and Resistance

In the sixteenth century, Jews in Rome were forced to attend hostile sermons aimed at their conversion, which were harshly policed and scrutinized by local Christians, foreign visitors, and potential converts. This display was vital to the development of early modern Catholicism and became a point of prestige in Rome. Christian spectators, Roman and foreign, were integral to these sermons, and preachers played to the gallery. Jews mounted a campaign of resistance, using any means available.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 10 May 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

A comprehensive investigation reveals the profound significance of conversionary preaching to Jews in the early modern Catholic Church and the broader Roman religious landscape. This practice, which began in the sixteenth century, compelled Jews in Rome to attend hostile sermons aimed at their conversion, every Saturday. Enforced by harsh policing, they were subjected to a public spectacle where they were scrutinized by local Christians, foreign visitors, and potential converts. In her groundbreaking work, Catholic Spectacle and Romes Jews, Emily Michelson meticulously reconstructs the dynamics of these weekly forced sermons, shedding light on their crucial role in shaping early modern Catholicism.

Drawing from a wealth of overlooked manuscripts, Michelson meticulously reconstructs the intricate tapestry of weekly forced preaching in Rome. These sermons, delivered in the context of the Catholic Church's global missions, provided a unique platform to define and defend the church's triumphalist, global outlook. They became a source of prestige in the city, with prominent organizations investing significant resources in maintaining these spectacles. Foreign tourists, eager to witness this cultural phenomenon, flocked to these sermons. The title of "Preacher to the Jews" held immense career potential, and preachers crafted their messages with the audience in mind, playing to the gallery.

However, beneath the surface of these sermons lay a more complex narrative. Conversionary preaching served as a veneer to mask ongoing anti-Jewish aggressions. Jews, in response, mounted a spirited campaign of resistance, employing various strategies to challenge the dominance of Christianity. Michelson's work delves into the history and content of sermons to Jews across two and a half centuries, providing a comprehensive analysis of this contentious period.

Through her meticulous research, Michelson argues that conversionary preaching to Jews played a fundamental role in shaping early modern Catholic identity. These sermons not only reinforced the church's missionary efforts but also contributed to the construction of a distinct Catholic worldview that distinguished it from other religious traditions. They helped solidify the church's position as a dominant force in European society and played a significant role in the persecution and marginalization of Jews during this period.

Catholic Spectacle and Romes Jews is a groundbreaking work that sheds new light on the complex relationship between Christianity and Judaism in early modern Europe. It challenges prevailing narratives and provides a fresh perspective on the historical significance of conversionary preaching. Michelson's meticulous scholarship and compelling analysis make this book an essential read for scholars, historians, and anyone interested in understanding the intersection of religion, power, and culture in the early modern world.

Weight: 738g
Dimension: 242 x 166 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691211336