Reforms of Christian Life in Sixteenth-Century Italy

Reforms of Christian Life offers a fresh perspective on the role of the Barnabites, Angelics, Ursulines, and Somascans in 16th-century Italian reform movements by highlighting their unconventional view of perfection and the Church. It explores their connections with other devout milieus, ascetic-mystical currents, and post-Tridentine ecclesiastical reformers, contributing to cultural and gender analyses of the religious mentality of the period.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 8 pages
Publication date: 04 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Reforms of Christian Life presents a fresh perspective on the role of the Barnabites, Angelics, Ursulines, and Somascans, which were founded in Northern Italy in the 1530s by Battista da Crema, Angela Merici, and Girolamo Miani, within sixteenth-century Italian reform movements. While historiography has traditionally categorized these groups as part of the Catholic Reformation, this book contends that they advocated an unconventional vision of perfection and the Church that stood in contrast to both Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism. Their goal was to reform society rather than solely focus on the ecclesiastical institution. By delving into the intricate interplay of perceptions of "Christian life" and exploring neglected connections among devout milieus, Mazzonis establishes a continuity between the sodalities and a fifteenth-century ascetic-mystical current. He also examines their relationship with contemporary institutions such as the Jesuits and the Oratorians, irenic reforming circles like that of Juan de Valdés, and post-Tridentine ecclesiastical reformers like Charles Borromeo. This volume demonstrates that reforming trends in the sixteenth century were more diverse and fluid than previously believed, and it makes valuable contributions to cultural and gender analyses of the religious mentality of that era.

Reforms of Christian Life is an invaluable resource for students and scholars of medieval and early modern religious and cultural history. It offers a comprehensive exploration of the roles played by the Barnabites, Angelics, Ursulines, and Somascans within the broader context of sixteenth-century Italian reform movements. By challenging traditional narratives and highlighting the complex interplay of ideas and beliefs, this book provides a deeper understanding of the religious and social dynamics of the period. Its insights into the perceptions of "Christian life" and the connections between different devout milieus are particularly valuable, shedding light on the broader cultural and gender dynamics of the religious mentality of the sixteenth century. Whether one is interested in religious reform, social history, or cultural studies, Reforms of Christian Life is an essential read that will enrich one's understanding of this fascinating period.

Weight: 436g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367763473