Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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DIVINA COMMEDIA, LA

The Divine Comedy, written by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321). It is an allegory of life; a vision of the world of hereafter. One hundred cantos in length, it reflects the faith of Medieval Catholic Europe and is considered one of the greatest classics of Christian literature. Composed in the vernacular the poet hoped to convert an erring world back to righteousness. The philosophy of Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) and St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-74), the mysticism of Saints Bernard (1090-1153) and Augustine (354-430) and the theology of the early Fathers are synthesized in exquisite language. The first printing of this classic was in 1472 in Italy.