Writers of the Order of Friars Minor

OF THE ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR

ANGELO PALEA, a Neapolitan from the city of Giovenazzo, and Bartholomew of Orvieto, both of the Regular Observance and highly skilled pharmacists who served as prefects of the infirmary at the monastery of Aracoeli in Rome, published in Latin:

A Critique of the Antidotary of John, son of Mesue, regarding the explanation of simple medicines. The Antidotary was a standard medieval pharmaceutical text; "Mesue" refers to Yuhanna ibn Masawayh, a 9th-century Christian physician in Baghdad.

A solution, furthermore, to many doubts and difficult terms in medical matters. These were published in Venice in the year 1543, and in Lyon by Jean Frellon in the year 1550, dedicated to Guillaume Pellicier, the Bishop of Montpellier. Pietro Andrea Mattioli A famous 16th-century Italian doctor and botanist. cites this book very frequently in his commentaries on Dioscorides.

ANGELO DEL PAS, of Perpignan in the province of Catalonia, was a man of the Regular Observance most eager for its restoration. Accordingly, he was designated as Provincial for the new "Reformed" province of Tarragona, though it was dissolved almost at its inception. He was a most eloquent theologian of very solid doctrine, exceptionally well-versed in the Councils, the Holy Fathers, Church history, and scholastic theology. Having stayed for a long time at San Pietro in Montorio in Rome Latin: D. Petri in Monte aureo, he frequently experienced the goodwill and generosity of Pope Sixtus V, and devoted himself entirely to piety and the study of sacred matters. He was a man of marvelous abstinence and penance, always walking with bare feet. Having received a notable subsidy from Sixtus V to furnish a library, and obeying the Apostolic command, he illustrated the holy Gospels with commentaries. He performed this with divine assistance, as he himself clearly testifies in the preface to the Gospel of Matthew, and as is related more diffusely in his life written by Bonifazio Bonebello, his companion of many years. From the morning praises until dawn, he would persevere in prayer before the altar of the most Holy Sacrament, and he celebrated Mass very early every day, always spending two hours in performing the sacrifice—unless it happened that the Mass was delayed by some impediment and was read at a time when the people were listening; then he would perform the mystery briefly, saying that a Priest ought not to be so intent on his own devotion that he does not look out for the inconvenience of those standing by. Whatever time remained from his piety and from hearing the afflicted—who sought and received remedies for their tribulations from him in abundance—he consecrated to studies, the fruits of which he produced in rich and varied forms; for he wrote:

Very copious commentaries on the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and on the first three chapters of John, applying entire books of commentary to individual chapters of the Gospel, and diffuse chapters to individual verses, always preceded by a short literal exposition and followed by a more diffuse moral one, eloquently filled with the opinions of the Holy Fathers and various learning. We saw to it that these were published in Rome in the year 1623. The commentaries on Mark in one volume, and on Luke in two volumes in the year 1625; we shall give the remainder on Matthew and John if leisure allows and times smile more favorably.

Two volumes on the Apostles' Creed, the first of which he himself saw through the Vatican Press in 1599; we shall provide the second at some point. Antonio Possevino A prominent Jesuit diplomat and scholar. testifies that these books are very useful, and concerning the first, which was the only one he had read, he adds: “I hope no one will regret having read it through, for the style is elegant and ecclesiastical; and though it brings forward very much, it is not loose but concise, and rich with the testimonies of the Fathers without causing weariness to the readers.”

Commentaries on the Prophet Obadiah.

Short annotations on all the Gospels for the Seasons and for the Saints.

A Manual Enchiridion: a concise handbook or manual of divine and scholastic theology, divided into two parts, speculative and practical. It begins: “For the sparrow has found herself a house” original: "Etenim passer invenit sibi domum," a quote from Psalm 84:3.. Dedicated to Ferdinand de' Medici, Cardinal Protector of the Order. It was published in Genoa in the year 1582.

An exposition of the Manual, or a Commentary, divided into six books.

On the Fabric of the World, or on the first creation of all things, in two books. It begins: “The supreme goodness of God made...”

On the cult of the Saints, prayer to them, their intercession for us, and on the reverence of Relics; addressed to Francesco Tagliacarne, a nobleman of Genoa. It begins: “The first assertion of the heretics...” This book was composed in the year 1584 in the monastery of St. Mary in Genoa.

On capturing divine love, one book.

On the confidence of man in God, in three books, addressed to Antonio Maria Braccelleo, a nobleman of Genoa. It begins: “Even if mortals seek God...”

On the reciprocal love of parents and children; in six books. It begins: “The Artisan of all things...”

A treatise on restoring the ancient discipline of the Religion of St. Francis, addressed to Ferdinand, Cardinal de' Medici, Protector of the Order. It begins: “Commanded because of mutual...”

A second treatise on the same. It begins: “Since I judge it difficult...”

A third treatise on the same subject, addressed to the Cardinals of the Congregation for the Affairs of Bishops and Regulars.

A fourth treatise on the reformation of Religious Orders in general, addressed to Felice, Cardinal de Montealto (soon to be Sixtus V), written in Genoa in 1583. It begins: “I have never read of a reformation...”

A small work of instruction, or admonitions, intended for Jacob Sanchez, Apostolic Commissary of the province of Valencia. It begins: “Long-suffering and very merciful...”

A small work in which he commends the decree of the aforesaid Congregation concerning the removal of all monasteries of Regulars in which the number of Religious necessary to maintain regular discipline cannot be held. It begins: “The decree proposed the other day in the sacred Congregation...”

A small work on the instruction and education of Religious. It begins: “Nature, who could follow the light of the face of God...”

On the authority of the Cardinal Protector, one book.

A funeral oration on the death of Brother Cesare Pergamensis, his companion. It begins: “Even if to me not forty days...”

Commentaries on the rule of the Franciscan Third Order. Written in the Spanish language.

The following works he wrote in Italian:

A treatise on the worthy and necessary preparation for receiving the most holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. Published in Rome by Guglielmo Facciotto in the year 1596.

On the Eucharistic Supper, one book. Published in the same place and year.

On ejaculatory prayer. Rome, Vatican Press, in the same year.

On the knowledge and love of God. In the same place, the year 1596.

On the foundations of the good spirit and of all spiritual perfection, addressed to the Prioress of the monastery of St. Andrew in Genoa in 1582.