François de Meyronnes

minor Brother of the province of Provence, Philosopher and Theologist disciple of Duns Scot, François de Meyronnes was minister provincial of Provence and close to the pope Jean XXII.

Its life 1288 - 1328

François was born in 1288, with Meyronnes, close to Barcelonnette (Vallée of Ubaye), in the department of the Alp-of-High-Provence, in the baronale family of Bérard-Meyronnes, having fasteners with Charles I of Anjou, count de Provence. He was admitted, rather young person, with the convent of the minor Brothers of Digne, in the province franciscaine of Provence. Its superiors sent it to study in general Studium of Paris, between 1304 and 1307 where it could follow the lessons of Jean Duns Scot. It was completely acquired with the teaching of the subtle Doctor of which it was one of the best disciples, without to miss originality in its own positions. After this Parisian course, he commented on the Sentences Pierre Lombard into various Couvent S of the Order, in France and probably in Italy. In 1323, it returns to Paris to supplement its studies and becomes Master in theology, with the protection of the pope Jean XXII and king Robert of Naples. It takes part in various theological controversies with Pierre Roger (the future pope Clément VI), and with the secular Master Henri of Ghent (the usual adversary of Duns Scot). During its stay with Paris, it could attend in its anguish saint Elzéar de Sabran falls ill Paris whereas it had come to negotiate the marriage of the son of king de Naples with the girl of king de France Philippe de Valois. He pronounced the funeral praise of Elzéar de Sabran.

In 1324, it is elected provincial minister of Provence and usually resides close to the court of Avignon. There he exerts the ministry for the Prédication. He is often consulted by the pope Jean XXII, in particular on the questions which oppose the Pope to the minor Brothers, on the Pauvreté and about the papal capacity. He intervenes in the lawsuit against Guillaume d' Occam. He holds a moderate and rather conciliating position, because he is pulled about between his friendship and his fidelity for Robert of Anjou, guard of Spiritual, and his fidelity with the Pope. He had supported in a Quodlibet the primacy of the pontifical capacity above that of the kings and the emperor. Jean XXII entrusts to him various delicate missions like an embassy in Gascogne.

François de Meyronnes died in Plaisance, between 1326 and 1328 and was buried in the church of the franciscains of this city.

Its work

It very abundant and is varied, covering the Philosophie, the Théologie, the right, the Spiritualité, preaching and even the economy. François de Meyronnes was designated like Doctor illuminatus (enlightened Doctor) or like Doctor acutus (pointed Doctor, sharpened) or like Maître of the abstraction. These epithets are fully justified.

In addition to its comments on the Books of the Sentences , it composed of the Quodlibets , the disputed Questions (on the Immaculate Conception, on religious poverty…), of the Questions about the Lord's Prayer noster , Treated on the eight blisses , of the Questions about political problems (sovereignty of the Pope), treaties of morals, comments on various works of saint Augustin, Pseudo-Denys, Postilles on various books of the Writing, in particular on the Genesis , on the Apocalypse , of the explanations on the Symbol of the Apostles , a Comment on the Passion of Jesus-Christ , a Treated on the contemplative life , a treated on Indulgences . He also wrote several comments on the treaties of Aristote. Finally one preserves of him a great number of sermons (authentic or allotted): over the temporal one, the saints, especially on saint François d' Assise (more three sermons on the stigmatization of François), on the theological virtues, the Holy Spirit, the Assumption of Marie etc…

It is considered that a third only its work was published, two thirds remaining in dispersed enough manuscripts.

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