Author
Francesco Silvestri
1474–1528
Francesco Silvestri (c. 1474–1528) was born at Ferrara, from which he is known as Ferrariensis, and entered the Dominican order there. He taught at Bologna and other houses of the order, served as regent of studies and as vicar general of the Lombard Congregation, and in 1525 was elected Master General of the Dominicans. He died at Rennes while visiting the houses of the order in France.
His commentary on the Summa contra Gentiles, first printed in 1524, was for centuries the standard exposition of that work; Leo XIII ordered it printed with the text in the Leonine edition, as Cajetan's commentary is with the Summa theologiae. Silvestri followed Cajetan on many questions but disagreed with him on others, notably on the natural knowledge of the immortality of the soul and on the natural desire to see God, and these disagreements became reference points for later Thomists.
The library holds his commentary on all four books of the Summa contra Gentiles, and his De convenientia institutorum Romanae Ecclesiae cum evangelica libertate, a reply to Luther on the Church's laws and Christian freedom. The commentary on the first book, on God, is the place to start.
Works
Texts currently available in the library.
De convenientia institutorum Romanae Ecclesiae cum Evangelica libertate
1525Apologia de convenientia institutorum Romanae Ecclesiae cum evangelica libertate adversus Lutherum, de hoc pessime sentientem is a theological-polemical treatise written in the early years of the Reformation. It defends the compatibility of the institutions, authority, discipline, and ecclesiastical order of the Roman Church with evangelical freedom, directly opposing Martin Luther’s contrary position. The work belongs to the earliest Catholic theological responses to the Lutheran Reformation.
Commentaria in Summam contra Gentiles, Liber I
1918In Book I of the Commentaria in Summam contra Gentiles, Francesco Silvestri of Ferrara (Ferrariensis) expounds Aquinas's treatment of God and the divine attributes. His commentary proceeds through the arguments of the Summa contra Gentiles chapter by chapter. The present edition follows the commentary printed with the Leonine text in volume XIII (1918) and includes Latin, English, and Spanish texts.
Commentaria in Summam contra Gentiles, Liber II
1918In Book II of the Commentaria in Summam contra Gentiles, Francesco Silvestri of Ferrara (Ferrariensis) expounds Aquinas's account of creation, the distinction of creatures, and the human soul. The commentary accompanies the Leonine text in volume XIII (1918). The present digital edition includes the Latin text and an English translation.
Commentaria in Summam contra Gentiles, Liber IV
1918In Book IV of the Commentaria in Summam contra Gentiles, Francesco Silvestri of Ferrara (Ferrariensis) examines Aquinas's treatment of revealed mysteries: the Trinity, the Incarnation, the sacraments, and the resurrection. The commentary accompanies the Leonine text in volume XV (1930). The present digital edition includes the Latin text and an English translation.
Commentaria in Summam contra Gentiles, Liber III
1926In Book III of the Commentaria in Summam contra Gentiles, Francesco Silvestri of Ferrara (Ferrariensis) expounds Aquinas's account of providence, human happiness, moral action, and divine grace. The commentary accompanies the Leonine text in volume XIV (1926). The present digital edition includes the Latin text and an English translation.