La expositione del Pater Noster Composta per Frate Girolamo da Ferrara… [and] Epistola a una devota donna Bolognese sopra la sancta comunione

? Florence: ?A.Tubini, L. de Alopa and A.Ghirlandi, ca, 1505. AN EARLY ITALIAN EDITION of Savonarola’s “Expositio Orationis Dominicae” and “Epistola della communione”. The Italian versions, first printed at Florence in 1494 or 1495, preceded the printing of the original Latin texts. This edition was long attributed to Gian Stefano di Carlo da Pavia but more recently it has been identified as the work of Tubini, Laurentius de Alopa, and Ghirlandi, who, beginning 1499, printed various works by Savonarola in a similar format. See ISTC. Hardcover. Fine. An attractive, illustrated edition of Savonarola’s exposition of the Pater Noster, addressed to his friend the Florentine statesman Filippo Valori (1439-1498) and his letter on Communion, addressed to an unnamed Bolognese woman. Illustrated with three very fine quarter-page woodcuts. Bound in fine 20th c. red morocco, the boards and spine ruled in gold and with gilt turn-ins. The text is in fine condition, with early foliation at the corners and a little light foxing and mild soiling to the title and final leaf.

The three woodcuts depict: the Agony in the Garden, with Christ on the Mount of Olives with the Apostles sleeping below; Savonarola blessing a group of nuns; and Savonarola visiting the Abbess Caterina Ubaldini in the convent of Le Murate. The two showing nuns bookend the second work in the volume, “To a devout lady of Bologna, concerning the Communion”.

The third woodcut was originally used for Savonarola’s earlier guide to confession (1495), which he had written for the nuns of the convent of Le Murate (Monastero delle Murate) in Florence. The work was addressed to the convent’s abbess, Caterina Ubaldini (abbess 1475-1498).

Savonarola:

“Born in Ferrara, Girolamo Savonarola (b. 1452–d. 1498) entered the Dominican order in Bologna in 1475. After spells in Florence, San Gimignano, and Brescia, he returned to Florence under Medicean patronage in 1490 and was elected prior of the convent of San Marco the following year. From 1493 he became a thorn in the side of Pope Alexander VI by separating San Marco from the Lombard Congregation of the Dominican order. In 1494 Savonarola used his Lenten sermons to predict the descent of the French into Italy, and his Advent sermons to inspire constitutional reforms to fill the political vacuum created by the expulsion of the Medici.

“Thereafter his preaching instigated social and spiritual reform in Florence and created a party of ardent followers, the Piagnoni (literally ‘Wailers’), though the famous ‘bonfires of vanities,’ into which citizens moved by the Savonarolan call to repent threw worldly treasures such as cosmetics and playing cards, did not take place until 1497 and 1498. His criticisms of the pope led to his excommunication in May 1497, and a hemorrhaging of support among Florentines resulted in his arrest, imprisonment, admission of heresy under torture, and, finally, to his execution in the Piazza della Signoria on 23 May 1498. His followers preserved his reputation as an ecclesiastical reformer throughout the sixteenth century.”(Fletcher, Oxford Bibliographies, Savonarola)

A Letter to a Devout Woman of Bologna:

In this undated letter, Savonarola responds to a request from “a devout woman of Bologna” to outline the spiritual and practical conduct recommended for those who wish to receive Holy Communion frequently, whether weekly or biweekly.

Savonarola explains the importance of true contrition, confession, and inward purification before receiving the Sacrament. The recipient must strive to rid themselves of not only sins but also earthly and carnal attachments, fostering a spirit of love, humility, and readiness to serve God. Additionally, he advises maintaining peace of mind through silence, solitude, prayer, and spiritual reading, especially on the days leading up to Communion. Finally, he underscores the need for perseverance in the practice, as spiritual adversaries may seek to undermine the devout through mockery or distractions. (Inventory #: 5190)