The doctrine of love and the stage of the divine cognition, according to the community of the third order of St. Francis of Foligno, at the turn of XIII-XIV centuries

Abstract

The article presents an analysis of one of the parts of the book of Revelations of blessed Angela of Foligno, which contains the Instructiones (message) to members of the community of the third order of St. Francis. The doctrine proposes to consider the relationship with God as an object/subject of love, to which feelings and emotions are directed. The “presence of the divine Beloved” is “cognition” and can respond by generating sensations of its material presence. The author of the doctrine has practical recommendations (stages of knowledge): how to achieve junction with the divine, what steps should be taken to change the way of life. It is concluded that there was a developed teaching among the members of the community, and its medical aspect is considered.

Keywords

• religious mysticism
• mystical and religious experience
• spirituals
• xiv century
• angela of foligno