Abraham a Sancta Clara

Abraham a Sancta Clara (July 2, 1644 – December 1, 1709) was an Augustinian monk.

Not to be confused with his uncle Abraham Megerle, composer.
The Reverend

Abraham a Sancta Clara
Augustinian Monk
Personal details
BornJuly 2, 1644
Kreenheinstetten, Germany
DiedDecember 1, 1709
Vienna, Austria
NationalityGerman
DenominationAugustinian Christian
Statue of Abraham a Sancta Clara, outside the Imperial Palace, Vienna

Early life

He was born Johann Ulrich Megerle, in Kreenheinstetten, Germany. He was described as "a very eccentric but popular Augustinian monk".[1]

Career

In 1662, Abraham a Sancta Clara joined the Catholic religious order of Discalced Augustinians, and assumed the name by which he is known. In this order, he rose ro become prior provincialis and definitor of his province.[2] He gained a great reputation for pulpit eloquence early on. He was appointed imperial court preacher of Vienna in 1669.[1][2]

The people flocked to hear him, attracted by the force and simplicity of his language, the grotesqueness of his humour, and the impartial severity with which he lashed the follies of all social classes. The predominant quality of his style was an overflowing and often coarse wit. Many passages in his sermons offer loftier thoughts and more dignified language.[2]

In his published writings, he displayed many of the same qualities as in the pulpit, shown best through the most notable specimen of his style, his didactic novel entitled Judas der Erzschelm (4 vols., Salzburg, 1686–1695). His work has been several times reproduced in whole or in part, though infected with spurious interpolations.

He died in Vienna in December, 1709, after 65 years.

Works

References
  1. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, ISBN 0-550-18022-2, page 5
  2. One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Abraham a Sancta Clara". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 1 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 72.
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