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The House of Mary translated to Loreto: its history printed in, and bound for the city of Liège
TURSELLINUS, Horatius (Orazio TORSELLINO).Lauretanae historiae libri quinque. Ad illustriss. D. Petrum Aldobrandinum S.R.E. Card.    Liège, Willem Hovius, 1621. 12mo. Contemporary full calf, ribbed spine with small gilt ornaments in compartments, with gilt-stamped coat-of-arms of the city of Liège (a column crowned by a pine cone and cross, flanked by the letters G and L) on both sides, gilt gauffered edges. Wooduct vignette on title with Mary and Child, somewhat larger woodcut with Mary and Child on the roof of a church (the Cathedral of Loreto with the House of the Holy family, carried away through the air by angels on the verso of the title, woodcut end-pieces and initials. 373 (11) pp. Rare edition of the history and translation from Nazareth to Loreto, near Ancona, Italy), of the original House of Mary and the Holy family in five books by the Jesuit Horatius Tursellinus (ca. 1545-1599), first published in 1597 at Aloysius Zannetti at Rome. This copy is bound for the city of Liège, with its gilt-stamped coat-of-arms on both sides. The Holy House of Loreto is alleged to be the house where Mary was born and raised, and where an angel told her she would be the mother of Jesus. The first historical mention of the 'Santa Casa' appears when Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, learned of its existence and had a church built around the house in order to protect it. According to a 14th century legend, after the Holy Land came under the control of Islam in 1263, the Holy House was flown by angels to Dalmatia (in modern Croatia) in 1291, where a vision revealed it to be Mary's house. Three years later, in 1294, it was again transported by angels to Recanati and finally, in 1295, to a laurel grove, the 'Lauretanum,' for which Loreto is named. The myth of the Holy House states that when the Holy House was lowered into place the nearby trees bowed down in respect. Analysis of literary sources, however, indicates that the transport of the Santa Casa possibly happened by sea and not through the assistance of angels. During the medieval period of Christian history it was common for monks and crusaders to be called 'angels' by the common people, this explaining the legend of 'angels' flying the house from the Holy Land to Loreto. Archaeological evidence and documents uncovered in 1962 suggest that the house may indeed derive from the region of Nazareth as its limestone and cedar construction materials are not available in the area of Loreto. The Holy House itself is quite small, and its single room with a small altar contains a Black Madonna statue and a blue ceiling with golden stars. In 1469, a large Basilica was built over the Holy House. Having been remodeled and reconstructed numerous times over the ensuing centuries, the Basilica has a Renaissance exterior and a Gothic interior. In 1510 the Santa Casa was approved for pilgrimages, soon became extremely popular in Italy, and by the 16th century was receiving pilgrims from all over Europe. Surrounding the Holy House, and inside the Basilica, is a marble concourse which pilgrims use to circumambulate the shrine. In this work, Tursellinus gives a most extensive example of the Jesuit view on the House. He tries to give a historial account, including a recounting of the tradition of its angelic translation. He also describes subsequent pious practices and accounts of miracles there. Tursellinus emphasizes the role of the popes in particular as patrons and sponsors of the shrine and underscores their devotion to it. The book is dedicated to Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini (1571-1621). Tursellinus' attitude on the Marian shrine of Loreto reflects late-Renaissance views on European expansion, Latin culture, early modern Catholic piety, and a new emphasis on the church's missionary activity. He believed that Loreto is not holy because of the place itself, but because of the house that had been placed there. Horatius Tursellinus (Orazio Torsellino), was a Roman born Jesuit historian and man of letters who wrote books on Christianity, the world famous concise but very popular and successful world history, used by schools for centuries, and a Latin grammar. He spend 22 years as a professor of classical literature at the Jesuit Roman College and also served as director of the Roman seminary and rector of the Jesuit college in Florence. In 1584 he became the rector of the Jesuit college in Loreto, hence his association with the shrine of Loreto. Good copy with eighteenth-century ownership's entry of the priest Antonius Gregorius De Harzé at Iesseren on the first fly-leaf, library stamp of the Fratres Minores at Hasselt on verso title.- (Binding used, front hinge weak, top of spine gone showing a fragment of a fifteenth-century manuscript on vellum used as binder's material; some marg. water staining).
De Backer-Sommervogel VIII, col. 143; BCNI 6996; Murphy, P.V., 'The Jesuits and the Santa Casa di Loreto: Orazio Torsellini's Lauretane historiae libri quinque', in: T.M. Lucas (ed.), Spirit, style, story. Essays honoring John W. Padberg (2002), pp. 269-81; ad binding: Jonghe d'Ardoye, Havenith & Dansaert, Armorial Belge du bibliophile II, p. 571, no. II.
Related Subjects: 17th Century Belgicana Catholicism History Jesuits Religion Add to Shopping cart |
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All items are offered subject to prior sale. Prices are nett and in (€) EURO. VAT/BTW, postage, and insurance are not included.
Free shipping for orders over € 2,500. EU customers: if applicable, please quote your VAT number when placing orders.
Preferred mode of payment: by credit card through our secure online payment service, which is facilitated by Ogone. If you wish to make other arrangements, please contact us. Terms of sale
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