Book Reviews and More: Antonio Rosmini - J.B. Midgley

Tuesday 18 February 2020

Antonio Rosmini - J.B. Midgley - CTS Biographies

Antonio Rosmini
Priest, Founder of the Institute of Charity
CTS Biographies
J.B. Midgley
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784690588
CTS Booklet B763

This was the twelfth book by J.B. Midgley I have read in as many weeks. This one is a CTS Biography. From my research Midgley published 28 books and 26 of them were for the Catholic Truth Society. He has also written a several books in both the ‘Saints of the Isles’ and ‘CTS Companions’ series’. The description on the back of the book is:

“Antonio Rosmini (1797-1855) is a truly remarkable and controversial figure in 19th century Europe, in the aftermath of revolutions and Enlightenment. Beatified in 2007, he had founded a religious institute, was a great writer and priest, and yet in a short lifetime had attracted many enemies, with whom reconciliation and recognition was only posthumously achieved. This appreciation of his life, work and spirituality, including extracts from his writings, is remarkably relevant in today’s ideologically unsettled Europe.”

This volume was published in 2015 and was dedicated to Midgley’s late wife Hazel. Is it shorter than some of his other works. And if we take out the extracts from Antonio Rosmini’s writings it is the shortest work by Midgley I have come across. But sometimes great things come in small packages. And that was the case with this volume. In fact one of the great features of this volume of the extensive extracts from Rosmini’s own works. And that each of those excerpts are in Blue Boxes. There a number of his works I am going to track down based on the excerpts encountered in this volume.

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction
The World Awaiting Antonio
Antonio’s Arrival
Early Works and Papal Commission
The Institute of Charity
The Apostolate Flourishes
Antonio in Rome and Geata
Tribulations and Triumph
A Philosopher for all Seasons
Acknowledgements

It is not surprising after having read book about the Jesuits to read of their opposition to this man and his works, especially while they were banned from several countries. It was also refreshing to read of the olive branch recently extended between the two organizations. It is something Rosmini would have appreciated.

It was intriguing to read of his works resurgence at Vatican Council II. And the favor which Joseph Ratzinger gave to the works both before and during his pontificate.

I can state I do not recall encountering the name Antonio Rosmini in any of my earlier readings or academic work. But I will be intentional about digging deeper into this man’s life, and his works, both literary and of his founding of the Founder of the Institute of Charity.

Another excellent read from the pen of J.B. Midgley, and from the Catholic Truth Society. I highly recommend this little volume to anyone unfamiliar with this man, his life, his works, and his ministry.