Antonio Vieira and preaching in the 17th century: moving, convincing and persuading

Abstract

The aristotelian-thomist psychosomatic theory about the passions constitutes the main foundation of the Jesuits vision in the 16th and 17th centuries. Such knowledge is reflected in the way in which the jesuit theologian and preacher Antonio Vieira (1608-1697) used such theories, in the art of preaching, to move affections, persuade reason and convince listeners. In this way, we presente the essential elements that characterize the theology of preaching, in the period of Baroque Scholasticism from the sermon on the wounds of Saint Francis. In this sermon, Father Antonio Vieira recognizes in Francis of Assis the second image of Christ crucified. In addition, it discusses the issues of the soul’s passions in their relationship with the human senses and presentes the unio mystica as an expression of conversion. Thus, within the scope of a spirituality that, like that of the Jesuits, values self-knowledge, the sermon allows us to note how the psychological and cognitive elements are articulated in the discourse, the aspects of memory and imagination, affections and intelligence with the purpose of converting and persuading.