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

Some topics in this essay:
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