Francis of Meyronnes' Sermon 57 on the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

131 Franciscan Studies 63 (2005) FRANCIS OF MEYRONNES’ SERMON 57 ON THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON (LUKE 15:11-32) Introduction Francis of Meyronnes, known as Doctor Illuminatus, was born ca.1288 in Provence. He studied under John Duns Scotus and became a Master of Theology in Paris in 1323. From 1323 to 1328 he was Provincial Minister of Provence and was known to have preached at the papal court of John XXII in Avignon. He died in Piacenza ca. 1328. In 1467 the General Minister, Franciscus Sampson, had a marble memorial erected in the choir of the Franciscan church of Piacenza, near the sacristy “lest the bones of the Doctor Illuminatus lie unadorned.” The memorial is decorated with a picture in relief that shows the Doctor Illuminatus seated on his magisterial chair, surrounded by students. I translate and abbreviate the verse above the picture: The glory and light of sacred doctrine lies here. Weep, O doctrines, for he labored for your sake without rest till the end. Just as Phoebus outshines the blazing stars, So too do you surpass others with your light, O illustrious doctor!1 There is very little in English about this very influential Franciscan theologian and preacher.2 The best short article is in French.3 1 Bartholomäus Roth, Franz von Mayronis OFM: Sein Leben, seine Werke, seine Lehre vom Formalunterschied in Gott, Franziskanische Forschungen 3 (Werl: FranziskusDruckerei , 1936), 49. 2 See esp. Francesco Fiorentino, “Francesco di Meyronnes e la relazione tra la volont à divina e quella umana dopo Duns Scoto,” in this issue of Franciscan Studies. See also Bert Roest, Franciscan Literature of Religious Instruction before the Council of Trent, Studies in the History of Christian Traditions 117 (Leiden: Brill, 2004), 237-9 n. 24; Girard J. Etz- 132 ROBERT KARRIS Two German monographs contribute greatly to our knowledge, but may be largely inaccessible to both general and serious readers.4 Until the end of the sixteenth century theologians and preachers drew inspiration from the writings of Francis of Meyronnes. The list of those using his writings includes such luminaries as Bernardine of Siena (d. 1444); John Capistran (d. 1456); James of the March (d. 1476); Bernardine de Feltre (d. 1494).5 Roberto Lambertini concludes his resume of the philosophy of Francis of Meyronnes by referring to his sermons: “In connection with his preaching activity, Francis also left a vast number of sermons .”6 In this article I want to explore one of Francis of Meyronnes’ sermons. While it may not have been preached at the papal court of John XXII in Avignon, it will give us some small appreciation of the Doctor Illuminatus. The Form of Sermon 57 It doesn’t take long before the reader realizes that Sermon 57 really isn’t a sermon at all. It’s a theological tractate. What Roth says about the sermons of Francis of Meyronnes is largely true. They are thoroughly thematic and are built up of “considerations,” “conclusions,” and “teachings.”7 Thus, Sermon 57 has six basic considerations divided korn, “Franciscus de Mayronis: A Newly-Discovered Treatise on Intuitive and Abstractive Cognition,” Franciscan Studies 54 (1994-1997): 15-50; Roberto Lambertini, “Francis of Meyronnes,” in A Companion to the Philosophy in the Middle Ages, edited by Jorge J. F. Gracia and Timothy B. Noone (Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2003), 256-7; “Francis of Meyronnes ,” in New Encyclopaedia Britannica, Volume 4, 15th edition (Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1998), 927; A. Emmen, “Francis of Meyronnes (Mayronis),” in New Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 (NY: McGraw-Hill, 1967), 32-33. Unfortunately, the second edition of New Catholic Encyclopedia (2003) excised the article on Francis of Meyronnes. 3 Heribert Rossmann, “Meyronnes (François de),” Dictionaire de Spiritualité Volume X. Paris: Beaucheine, 1976, col. 1155-61. 4 Bartholomäus Roth, Franz von Mayronis OFM; Heribert Rossmann, Die Hierarchie der Welt: Gestalt und System des Franz von Meyronnes OFM mit besonderer Berücksichtigung seiner Schöpfungslehre, Franziskanische Forschungen 23 (Werl/Westf.: Dietrich-CoeldeVerlag , 1972). 5 Heribert Rossmann, “Meyronnes (François de),” Dictionnaire de Spiritualité Volume X (Paris: Beauchesne, 1976), col. 1155-61; here, 1159. 6 See “Francis of Meyronnes,” in A Companion to the Philosophy in the Middle Ages, 257. Rossmann, “Meyronnes...