Illustrious Authors of the Order of St. Benedict by Johannes Trithemius (review)

Reviewed by: Illustrious Authors of the Order of St. Benedict by Johannes Trithemius Thomas Sullivan O.S.B. Illustrious Authors of the Order of St. Benedict by Johannes Trithemius, trans. Robert Nixon (Eugene OR: Wipf for Nicolaus Donis, for instance, he states that "his monastery does not spring to my memory at this point" and End Page 237 that Nicolaus has written, "certain other works, which I have not yet seen" (95–96). Having concluded his catalog of Benedictine authors, Trithemius ends with two notes, the first explaining that he could not include all the authors of the Order "because of their great multitude" (97–99), and the second an appeal by Trithemius to the monks of the Order that they apply themselves to the study of the sacred writings, claiming that the glory of the Benedictine Order consisted in the past of its "sanctity of life and the learning of wisdom" (100–103) thus anticipating by centuries Jean Leclercq's title of The Love of Learning and Desire for God (1961). The translator, Robert Nixon, O.S.B., a monk of Most Holy Trinity Abbey, New Norcia in Western Australia, offers a competent and valuable introduction, translates the 143 notices clearly, and offers helpful footnotes where an explanation is needed or Trithemius's apparent errors require correction. He hopes that his work will lead to the "inspiration and encouragement of the love of study and sacred learning" (xxi), especially among the disciples of Benedict in this day and age. Thomas Sullivan O.S.B. Conception Abbey, Conception, MO Copyright © 2024 American Benedictine Review, Inc