Opera Omnia Savonarolae - Alexander Norton

Letters

Sep 10, 1493

15 min read

To the Prioress of San Domenico in Pisa

May the grace of God preserve you in the love of Christ Jesus. Your letter was most pleasing to me, and I willingly read your admonition, knowing it to proceed from zeal for charity; and in this I recognize that you love me in truth, without dissimulation, according to the teaching of Jesus Christ. Would that God granted that I might speak with you face to face, and set forth the beginning, the means, and the end of our affairs! I am certain that all would then be according to your desire.

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Letters

Sep 10, 1493

15 min read

To the Prioress of San Domenico in Pisa

May the grace of God preserve you in the love of Christ Jesus. Your letter was most pleasing to me, and I willingly read your admonition, knowing it to proceed from zeal for charity; and in this I recognize that you love me in truth, without dissimulation, according to the teaching of Jesus Christ. Would that God granted that I might speak with you face to face, and set forth the beginning, the means, and the end of our affairs! I am certain that all would then be according to your desire.

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Spiritual Treatises

Sep 20, 2024

4 min read

The Reform of the Church

Do you wish to see in what manner we propose to reform the Church that is in ruins?

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Spiritual Treatises

Sep 20, 2024

4 min read

The Reform of the Church

Do you wish to see in what manner we propose to reform the Church that is in ruins?

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Defenses and Testimonies

Jan 9, 1538

9 min read

Miraculous Healing of Sister Caterina by the Lord, May 22, 1540

In the monastery of San Vincenzo in Prato, there was—and still is—a nun named Sister Caterina, daughter of Pierfrancesco de’ Ricci of Florence, who at the time was 18 years old. In the early part of the year 1538, in the month of March according to the Florentine calendar—thus two years and a few months had passed—she began to suffer continuous pain and torment in her body, accompanied by fever. According to the doctors, this was due to dropsy complicated by kidney stones, as was later clearly observed. And though every possible remedy had been tried, none proved effective. The doctor in Prato said: "Cease all treatments and baths being administered under my orders and those of Master Francesco Pagolo of Florence, for they only bring her further torment."

Sister Tommasa Martelli, O.P.

Defenses and Testimonies

Jan 9, 1538

9 min read

Miraculous Healing of Sister Caterina by the Lord, May 22, 1540

In the monastery of San Vincenzo in Prato, there was—and still is—a nun named Sister Caterina, daughter of Pierfrancesco de’ Ricci of Florence, who at the time was 18 years old. In the early part of the year 1538, in the month of March according to the Florentine calendar—thus two years and a few months had passed—she began to suffer continuous pain and torment in her body, accompanied by fever. According to the doctors, this was due to dropsy complicated by kidney stones, as was later clearly observed. And though every possible remedy had been tried, none proved effective. The doctor in Prato said: "Cease all treatments and baths being administered under my orders and those of Master Francesco Pagolo of Florence, for they only bring her further torment."

Sister Tommasa Martelli, O.P.

Doctrinal and Apologetics Works

Sep 20, 2024

12 min read

Solace for My Pilgrimage, bk. I

Spiritus: As I find myself contemplating, far from the presence of God, the return to the Father's house, you, O my Bride, must come with me. Anima: But I do not know by what path we may walk toward such salvation. Sp: Our path is Christ. An: But faith is uncertain. Sp: For one who wishes to draw near to God, it is necessary to believe. An: Yet one who believes too easily is light of heart. Sp: But to believe in God is an act of the utmost gravity. An: Has God perhaps spoken with you? Sp: No, but I believe those to whom God has deigned to speak. An: And how do you know that they have heard God speaking Sp: Miracles have proven it to me. An: But miracles belong to the past; then by what arguments may I believe now? Sp: Do you doubt, perhaps, that God exists? An: Even this leaves many in uncertainty, for "No one has ever seen God" (Jn 1:18). Sp: But such people are certainly devoid of intelligence, according to these words: "The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’" (Ps 13:1). An: And by what arguments do you prove that God exists?

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Doctrinal and Apologetics Works

Sep 20, 2024

12 min read

Solace for My Pilgrimage, bk. I

Spiritus: As I find myself contemplating, far from the presence of God, the return to the Father's house, you, O my Bride, must come with me. Anima: But I do not know by what path we may walk toward such salvation. Sp: Our path is Christ. An: But faith is uncertain. Sp: For one who wishes to draw near to God, it is necessary to believe. An: Yet one who believes too easily is light of heart. Sp: But to believe in God is an act of the utmost gravity. An: Has God perhaps spoken with you? Sp: No, but I believe those to whom God has deigned to speak. An: And how do you know that they have heard God speaking Sp: Miracles have proven it to me. An: But miracles belong to the past; then by what arguments may I believe now? Sp: Do you doubt, perhaps, that God exists? An: Even this leaves many in uncertainty, for "No one has ever seen God" (Jn 1:18). Sp: But such people are certainly devoid of intelligence, according to these words: "The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’" (Ps 13:1). An: And by what arguments do you prove that God exists?

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Defenses and Testimonies

Apr 9, 1542

8 min read

Vision of St. Catherine de' Ricci on the Feast of the Resurrection

I recall how on the morning of the most holy Resurrection of the Lord, between the hours of 9 and 10, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Sister Caterina, while she was in her cell. He was entirely clothed in glory, and His wounds were red with blood and radiated the utmost splendor. His head, adorned with beautiful hair, shone with immense light, particularly in the area marked by the cruel crown of thorns. Upon His head was a resplendent crown of gold. He also bore upon His shoulder a great cross, completely bloocdied and adorned with wonderful splendor: at its summit hung a small white and red banner, within which was painted a white lamb, stained with red, which shone with great brilliance.

Sister Tommasa Martelli, O.P.

Defenses and Testimonies

Apr 9, 1542

8 min read

Vision of St. Catherine de' Ricci on the Feast of the Resurrection

I recall how on the morning of the most holy Resurrection of the Lord, between the hours of 9 and 10, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to Sister Caterina, while she was in her cell. He was entirely clothed in glory, and His wounds were red with blood and radiated the utmost splendor. His head, adorned with beautiful hair, shone with immense light, particularly in the area marked by the cruel crown of thorns. Upon His head was a resplendent crown of gold. He also bore upon His shoulder a great cross, completely bloocdied and adorned with wonderful splendor: at its summit hung a small white and red banner, within which was painted a white lamb, stained with red, which shone with great brilliance.

Sister Tommasa Martelli, O.P.

Spiritual Treatises

Sep 20, 2024

27 min read

Exposition on the Ave Maria

This most devout and angelic salutation, which the Holy Church offers daily through the mouths of her devoted sons and daughters to the most glorious Mother of the beloved Bridegroom, Christ Jesus, was composed by the Holy Spirit: in part through the mouth of the angel Gabriel, in part through the mouth of Saint Elizabeth, mother of Saint John the Baptist, and in part through the mouth of the Holy Church.

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

Spiritual Treatises

Sep 20, 2024

27 min read

Exposition on the Ave Maria

This most devout and angelic salutation, which the Holy Church offers daily through the mouths of her devoted sons and daughters to the most glorious Mother of the beloved Bridegroom, Christ Jesus, was composed by the Holy Spirit: in part through the mouth of the angel Gabriel, in part through the mouth of Saint Elizabeth, mother of Saint John the Baptist, and in part through the mouth of the Holy Church.

Fra Girolamo Savonarola, O.P.

More O.P.

Dec 27, 2025

32 min read

The Character and Principles of Dominican Spirituality

When one seeks to define the character of Dominican spirituality, one is struck by its multiplicity of elements, yet also by a supreme simplicity that is hardly adaptable to the formulas of a definition. Its diverse constitutive principles do not seem easily reconcilable, and the means by which they fuse into a cohesive whole is neither immediately apparent nor easily grasped—except by those souls gradually formed and tempered within its discipline.

Fr. Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.

More O.P.

Dec 27, 2025

32 min read

The Character and Principles of Dominican Spirituality

When one seeks to define the character of Dominican spirituality, one is struck by its multiplicity of elements, yet also by a supreme simplicity that is hardly adaptable to the formulas of a definition. Its diverse constitutive principles do not seem easily reconcilable, and the means by which they fuse into a cohesive whole is neither immediately apparent nor easily grasped—except by those souls gradually formed and tempered within its discipline.

Fr. Réginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.

Defenses and Testimonies

Sep 20, 2024

7 min read

The Prophecy Question

We have been able to consider the question of Savonarola’s obedience and excommunication independently of whether he was or was not a prophet, for a very simple reason: because the issue of obedience and excommunication concerns, on one hand, the concrete determinations of authority, according to the science of law and the prudence of command, and on the other hand, the corresponding commitment of the subject, according to the same legal science and moral virtue of submission. The question of prophecy, however, belongs to the realm of charisms—miracles, the gift of tongues, interpretation of Scripture, stigmata, raptures, bilocation, etc.—which are granted by God not directly for the sanctification of the chosen individuals, but for the common good of the Church.

Fra Giacinto Scaltriti, O.P.

Defenses and Testimonies

Sep 20, 2024

7 min read

The Prophecy Question

We have been able to consider the question of Savonarola’s obedience and excommunication independently of whether he was or was not a prophet, for a very simple reason: because the issue of obedience and excommunication concerns, on one hand, the concrete determinations of authority, according to the science of law and the prudence of command, and on the other hand, the corresponding commitment of the subject, according to the same legal science and moral virtue of submission. The question of prophecy, however, belongs to the realm of charisms—miracles, the gift of tongues, interpretation of Scripture, stigmata, raptures, bilocation, etc.—which are granted by God not directly for the sanctification of the chosen individuals, but for the common good of the Church.

Fra Giacinto Scaltriti, O.P.