Gerard Groote

I had actually read The Imitation Of Christ by Thomas Akempis some time ago. This is basically the same work based on a very particular manuscript, which the editors claim is proof of the authorship of Gert Groote (the founder of the Brethren Of Common Life aka the Modern Devotion movement, the movement that Akempis was a part of), rather than Thomas Akempis. The Brethren were basically a non-institutional friary. I'm reading the Classics Of Western Spirituality selected writings of the Devotio Moderna right now. There is some similarity between Groote's known writings found there and the Imitation of Christ (called here The Following Of Christ). Whether Groote wrote it rather than Akempis is not certain. Who really knows? What is obvious is that this work is a classic of Christian spirituality/mysticism. This edition, and/or the Akempis edition, are both worth reading.… (més)