Dante's Paradiso: The Religious Orders

with wisdom so profound none of His creatures

can ever hope to see into Its depths,

In order that the Bride of that sweet Groom,

who crying loud espoused her with His blood,

might go to her beloved made more secure

Within herself, more faithful to her Spouse,

ordained two noble princes to assist her

on either side, each serving as a guide.”

(Canto XI, lines 28-36)

Dante and Beatrice are now in the Realm of the Blest, where the souls of the Wise are circling and singing. Cantos XI and XII introduce Dante to the two monastic orders of St. Francis and St. Dominic, as related to them by two of the followers of these orders. Dante discovers much about their teachings and beliefs, the founders of each order, as well as the self-proclaimed weaknesses of each one. Through the orders represent different teachings, the strengths and weaknesses of each are intertwined, the outer circle of love being a reflection of the inner circle of wisdom.

The importance of these two orders is related to us by St. Thomas, a follower of St. Dominic, and by St. Bonaventure, a follower of St. Francis. St. Thomas introduces us to the two most important mendic

twin garlands round us at the outer one

like to the longing voice of her whom love

Their tales of the founders of the two orders end with each reflecting on the faults of their order. St. Thomas says “they stray to alien pastures carelessly,” (Canto XI, line 126) referring to the way the Dominican Order has become greedy for worldly honors and favors, deviating from the principles that governed their order. He also refers to their corruption, “the tree is chipped,” (line 137) and their lack of spiritual nourishment outside of the flock, “the less milk/ they bring back” (line 128-129). St. Bonaventure says his own order no longer follows the track left for them. He says “there is only mold where once was crust,” (Canto XII, line 114) in a reference to bad wine which produces mold as opposed to good wine which will leave a crust in the barrel. He then describes how they are “now so turned round/ they walk along by putting toe to heel” (lines 115-117). These lines evoke a notion of regression and also a lack of accord between past and present members of the Order. He also implies that if “you search our book” you will not find many Franciscans who adhere to the rules of the Order as set down by their founder.

Some topics in this essay:
Canto XII, Canto XI, St Thomas, St Francis, Original Sin, , St Dominic, St Bonaventure, God Noah, Christ Francis, st thomas, canto xi, st francis, xi line, canto xi line, canto xii, st bonaventure, canto xii line, st dominic, xii line, canto xi lines, francis st, follower st, st francis st,