Philomena, czyli Słowik – droga duszy do Boga: Eksplikacja hymnu Jana Peckhama
Philomena, or Nightingale – the Soul’s Journey to God: An Explication of a Hymn by John Peckham

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this article is the explication of the hymn Philomena by John Peckham, a Franciscan and disciple of St. Bonaventure. The interpretation of the hymn focuses on the issue of private affective meditation, an important spiritual exercise for the trend of Franciscan piety, which was popular between the late eleventh century and the end of the Middle Ages. The key to understanding the work is the meditations of St. Bonaventure in his mystical treatises. The structure of the poem’s extended narrative serves to show the mystical path that the soul travels, through purification and enlightenment to the joy of union with God. The following parts, determined by the Liturgy of the Hours, are distinguished in the work: Introduction – Prooemium, Singing at Dawn – Cantus in Diluculo, Singing on the Prime – Cantus ad Primam, Singing on the Terce – Cantus ad Tertiam, Singing at Noon – Cantus ad Meridiem, Singing on the None – Cantus ad Nonam. The article also reflects on the presence in Polish literature of the hymn, as translated by Lucjan Siemieński in the Romantic era.

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