Capuchin Preachment as Means of the Order's Self-Presentation in 17th- and 18th-Century Bohemia and Moravia
Abstract
Preachment had a long tradition in the tradition of the Franciscan order, always ranking high among its priorities. It presented a suitable opportunity for the order's self-presentation, and thus also a chance to accost and gain new benefactors, on whose support these mendicant orders depended for their very existence.
Francis of Assisi was himself a successful preacher, with a number of no less capable followers in the Capuchin order, e.g. Lawrence of Brindisi and Procopius of Templin, who were also active in the Czech Lands.
Within the post-Trident Church, Capuchins could devote themselves to preachment only with the approval of their superiors and according to strict rules. Thematically they departed from Franciscan spirituality and were not allowed to accept any rewards, they were only permitted to walk on foot to reach their destinations, etc.
In the 17th century, a new movement started to make its mark, the so-called conceptual preachment, which made much stronger use of symbols, allegories and exempla. This mode of preachment also influenced Capuchin preachers, even though according to the regulations mentioned above, they were told to avoid "conceptual preachments" if possible.
Capuchin preacherly activity often caused numerous disputes, with the order members frequently attacked for the content of their sermons, castigated on account of their homiletic activity leading the believers out of their parish churches, and "envied" for their occupation of pulpits in churches independent of monasteries. All these conflicts need to be viewed in the context of the competition among individual orders and the diocese clergy vying to obtain benefactors, which any pastoral and preacherly activity could boost considerably.