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Christian : Catholic

13th Century

Italy
(Europe)

Jacopone da Todi (Jacopone Benedetti)

Timeline (1230 - 1306)

Poems by Jacopone da Todi (Jacopone Benedetti)
Books

Jacopone da Todi (Jacopone Benedetti), Jacopone da Todi (Jacopone Benedetti) poetry, Christian, Christian poetry, Catholic poetry, poetry, poetry

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Little is known with historical certainty about the life of of Jacopone da Todi. He was born Jacopone Benedetti to a wealthy family in the town of Todi, Italy. As a young man he entered a career as a notario, combining the skills of an accountant and a lawyer. And he married. All of these elements suggest an early life with some amount of worldly success.

A popular story from an early religious biography suggests that his life drastically changed when, at a wedding feast, a balcony collapsed and mortally wounded his young wife. Devastated, Jacopone abandoned his career and gave away all of his possessions. This event is questioned by modern historians, however, as possibly being manufactured for religious drama. But something happened to his wife and prompted his radical conversion.

He become a wandering penitent and a source of public ridicule. Jacopone eventually joined the Franciscan order. Among the Franciscans, he discovered his gift for poetry. Brother Jacopone became a leader of the Spirituals faction of Franciscans who dedicated themselves to the ideal of radical poverty.

The Franciscan Spirituals got caught up in the ugly politics of papal succession of the time, and Jacopone was imprisoned for five years for his opposition to the election of Pope Boniface VIII. Throughout this time, Jacopone continued to write his ecstatic and mournful poems that touch upon the deepest personal encounters with divine Love.

With his release on Pope Boniface's death, Jacopone retired to a hermitage near Orvieto. He died on Christmas Day in 1306.

Poems by Jacopone da Todi (Jacopone Benedetti)

	How the Soul Through the Senses Finds God in All Creatures
	Now, a new creature
	Love, infusing with light all who share Your splendor (from In Praise of Divine Love)
	Love, where did You enter the heart unseen? (from In Praise of Divine Love)
	As air becomes the medium for light when the sun rises (from Self-Annihilation and Charity Lead the Soul...)
	In losing all, the soul has risen (from Self-Annihilation and Charity Lead the Soul...)
	Love beyond all telling (from Self-Annihilation and Charity Lead the Soul...)
	Oh, the futility of seeking to convey (from Self-Annihilation and Charity Lead the Soul...)
	When you no longer love yourself (from Self-Annihilation and Charity Lead the Soul...)
	At the cross her station keeping (from Stabat Mater Dolorosa)

Recommended Books

All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Time, by Robert Ellsberg

Amazon.com

Jacopone da Todi: Lauds (Classics of Western Spirituality), Translated by Serge and Elizabeth Hughes

Amazon.com

Poetry for the Spirit: Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty, Edited by Alan Jacobs

Amazon.com

Please support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Jacopone da Todi (Jacopone Benedetti)

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Poetry Chaikhana
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