![]() However, some women wrote their own “Lives.” Teresa de Ávila (usually called Teresa de Jesús outside the U.S.) was an avid writer, and many subsequent nuns followed her lead. Most Vite were written by men, often by priests seeking to promote their spiritual daughters to enhance their own reputations. It can include biographical material, but also spiritual musings, prayers, anecdotes, and descriptions of visions or locutions. A vita is not strictly speaking a biography, but a spiritual memoir. Most of the books in this collection are “Lives,” spiritual histories called Vite in Italian, Vidas in Spanish, or Vies in French. Taken as a whole, these books greatly enrich our knowledge of the early modern world, and in particular, of the lives of women. The diversity of languages conveys both the amplitude and unity of Catholic culture. They are in Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese and English, and some are translations from German and Latin. They speak of love of God, but also of erotic yearning. They tell us about the humdrum routines of everyday life, but also of defiance, sacrifice, martyrdom, and heroic deeds carried out in defense of the faith. They offer vivid descriptions of the devotional practices of nuns, but also of laywomen. ![]() Above all they provide insight into the spiritual lives of early modern women, but also those of men. These books weave a rich and varied tapestry. The nearly 1,500 volumes that constitute the Thatcher Collection will be a treasure trove for researchers and a source of delight for the general public. Booth Family Center for Special CollectionsĬlick here to download the exhibition brochure (PDF, 681 kb).Rare Books, Manuscripts, Art & Archives. ![]()
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