Modern Devotion has been a major field of research ever since the inception of the Titus Brandsma Institute. The Institute regards the study of this important field, which started in the Netherlands in the late Middle Ages, as a continuation of the work of Titus Brandsma.
This research comprises the following:
- A critical edition of Gerardi Magni opera omnia.
- Historical study of concrete expressions of spirituality such as liturgy, literary culture and collatio .
- Spiritual hermeneutic study, especially of the Imitation of Christ.
A novel feature of the forthcoming research period (2004-2008) will be interdisciplinary cooperation throughout the Institute in the field of Modern Devotion. With this aim in mind two prior choices have been made: the Imitatio Christi as the material centre of discussion and inwardness as the thematic focus.
1. The imitation of Christ
Thomas à Kempis's De Imitatio Christi, by far the most famous work in Modern Devotion, is an object of interdisciplinary study.
- Form-descriptive research sheds new light on the textual history of the Imitatio ; the liturgical patterns influencing the text, the schools with which Thomas communicated, as well as the reception history will be studied.
- From a spiritual hermeneutic angle semantic research will be conducted into key terms (
imitatio; interior; ammonitio; consolatio
; etc.); intertextual relations with Scripture will be a research object.
- From a systematic angle the philosophical and theological motives underlying the Imitatio will be investigated.
- From a mystagogical angle the nature of the spiritual intervention technique will be studied.
2. Interiority
Interiority is usually interpreted pejoratively as individualism, personal piety, bourgeois self-preservation, closeting, other-worldliness and the like. Many attribute this negative perception to Modern Devotion, more particularly to the Imitation of Christ . The question is whether interiority is properly understood.
The aim of the Institute's interdisciplinary approach is to initiate a new kind of dialogue between Modern Devotion and present-day culture. Firstly, the eclipse of interiority in the modern culture of appearances (objectification, mass phenomena, instrumentalisation) is increasingly perceived as a problem. Secondly, dialogical thinking offers a fresh, hitherto neglected slant on interiority. The same applies to the theory of interiorisation, which sheds new light on interiority as the ground of the spiritual transformation process.
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Projects
Liturgical identity of modern devotees
Conductor: Charles Caspers
The life regulated by the rhythm of liturgy lived by the canons and canonesses of the Congregation of Windesheim has hardly been researched so far. The project is meant to remedy the deficiency by pinpointing the identity of the Windesheimers, in contrast with that of other 15th century religious and non-religious.
Modern Devotion as a form of philosophy
Conductor: Inigo Bocken
In this project texts from the tradition of Modern Devotion will be studied from a philosophical angle. The concept of interiority, which plays a key role in modernity, will be the prime focus.
Profectus virtutum in Modern Devotion
Conductor: Krijn Pansters
Research will look into the role of spiritual exercises and progress in virtues ( profectus virtutum ) in the process of interiorisation as articulated in Modern Devotion, particularly by Gerhardt Zerbolt of Zutphen (1367-1398).
The phenomenon of conversion in Modern Devotion
Conductor: Dick Akerboom
'Conversions' have been handed down from the domain of Modern Devotion in various ways. The sources afford insight into the conversion of Geert Grote, father of Modern Devotion, and some of his followers.
A mystagogic reading of the Imitatio Christi
Conductor: Jos Huls The project seeks to reveal the spiritual process to which Thomas à Kempis wants to introduce his readers. It will do so by way of a mystagogic reading of the text.
Opera Omnia by Geert Grote and Modern Devotion
Conductor: Rijcklof Hofman
In addition to a phased edition of Geert Grote's Opera Omnia, the project will promote understanding of the spirituality of Modern Devotion by collaborating on the new translation of Thomas à Kempis's Imitation of Christ , producing a translation of his Soliloquy of the soul, studying his method and works, and reflecting on the themes of interiority.
Translation of the Imitation of Christ
Conductor: Rudolf van Dijk
The project is aimed at a new translation of De imitatione Christi from the Latin version according to the diplomatic edition of Léon Delaissé (1956), with selective study of the sources and incorporating the results of mystagogic research.
De geestelijke opklimmingen [Spiritual ascensions] , translation and introduction
Conductor: Rudolf van Dijk Gerard Zerbolt is a major early author of Modern Devotion. One of his works is De spiritualibus ascensionibus . It is to be translated.
Gaesdonckse treatise manuscript in MVN series
Conductor: Marinus van den Berg
The Gaesdonckse tracts manuscript was compiled in the St Agnes op de Beek monastery in Arnhem round 1550. The aim is to produce an annotated edition with an introduction and a palaeographic and codicological description. |
