The flame that enkindles all: Francisco de Osuna, the exercise of recollection, and the overarching law of love

Abstract

Francisco de Osuna was an important figure in sixteenth century Spain. He authored a number of spiritual texts, including The Third Spiritual Alphabet and the Ley de Amor. Fray Francisco's Third Alphabet examines the exercise of recollection, while his Ley de Amor is concerned with the law of love. Modem scholarship has primarily focused on Fray Francisco's Third Alphabet, while, at the same time, ignoring his Ley de Amor. This thesis will demonstrate that Fray Francisco's Ley de Amor does not deserve to go unnoticed, as many of its ideas underlie those ideas contained within the Third Alphabet. This thesis will also put Francisco de Osuna into perspective by comparing his own ideas with those of other Franciscan writers who lived during his time.