THOMÁS, de Jesús

£2,650 · Offered by Sokol Books

Important first edition of this major work on missionary theory by the great Discalced Carmelite Monk Tomas de Jesus, (Diego Sanchez Davila) one of the most important figures of the Discalced Carmelite movement, a work of great influence in the establishment of missions throughout the New World. Thomas was named Provincial of Casilla in 1597 and founded another desert Monastery at Las Batuecas shortly after. During this time he was invited by the Carmelite fathers of the Italian congregation to join a missionary expedition to the Congo, however he preferred to remain in solitude in his retreat. Shortly after however, on rereading the first chapter of the foundation work of the order by St. Theresa D Avilla, he had a profound change of heart. He made a vow to work on the conversion to Christianity of all those who were outside the Church, and wrote to his Italian confreres to inform them of his availability to travel anywhere in the world. With this goal he returned to Rome. The African mission had not materialised so whilst in Rome he wrote this treatise in which he formed the view Carmelites should give themselves to the missions as it was entirely within the spirit of contemplation that founded the order. He developed the idea that Monks and Solitaries, due to their rigorous training were most qualified for this apostolic mission. He developed these thoughts in a second work De procuranda salute omnium gentium which, together with this, would serve as one the chief works us

• Binding: Hardcover

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