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Jacopone da Todi (Jacopone Benedetti) Italy (1230 - 1306) Timeline Christian : Catholic Poems by Jacopone da Todi (Jacopone Benedetti) Books |
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 some historians, however, as possibly being manufactured for religious drama. But some traumatic event seems to have prompted his radical conversion.
He first became 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 carries light poured out by the rising sun
- 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: Jacopone da Todi (Jacopone Benedetti)
