Intrepid Lover of Perfect Grace

A le xa nder Y. Hwa ng

The Life and Thought of Prosper of Aquitaine
The Catholic University of America Press

Washington, D. C.

Copyright 2009 The Catholic University of America Press All rights reserved The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standards for Information SciencePermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI Z39.481984. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hwang, Alexander Y. Intrepid lover of perfect grace : the life and thought of Prosper of Aquitaine / Alexander Y. Hwang. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8132-1670-6 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Prosper, of Aquitaine, Saint, ca. 390ca. 463. I. Title. BR1720.P8H230.14092dc22 2008047244
For my wife, Lydia T. Kim

Contents

Abbreviations Chronology of Prosper Preface

ix xi xiii

Introduction 1. The Works of Prosper and Literature 2. Prospers Life to 416 and De providentia Dei 3. Formative Period (417425)

187 235

241 263
4. Servus Dei I (426430): In Defense of the Catholic Church 5. Servus Dei II (430440): Augustine and the Roman Church 6. Servus Ecclesiae (440455): The Primacy of the Roman Church Conclusion

Bibliography Index

Abbreviations
ACW AS ATA CCL CH CSEL CSQ DTC FC JEH JTS MGH, AA PG PL PLS PS
Ancient Christian Writers Augustinian Studies Augustine through the Ages Corpus Christianorum, series Latina Church History Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum Cistercian Studies Quarterly Dictionnaire de thologie catholique Fathers of the Church Journal of Ecclesiastical History Journal of Theological Studies Monumenta Germaniae Historica, Auctores Antiquissimi Patrologia Graeca Patrologia Latina Patrologia Latina, Supplementum Patristic Studies

x abbreviations

RB RE RechScRel RTAM SC SP TS TU VC WSA Revue bndictine Realenzyklopdie fr protestantische Theologie und Kirche Recherches de science religieuse Recherches de thologie ancienne et mdivale Sources chrtiennes Studia Patristica Theological Studies Text und Untersuchungen zur Geschichte der altchristlichen Literatur Vigiliae Christianae Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century

Chronology of Prosper

ca. 425428 426/427 428/440 440s Prosper born in Aquitaine Captive of the barbarians for some or all of these years Relocated to Marseilles and wrote De providentia Dei First period of reflection Cassians Conlationes Hadrumetum affair Prospers first pro-Augustine work: Epistula ad Rufinum Epistula ad Augustinum Augustines De praedestinatione sanctorum Death of Augustine Prosper and Hilary appeal to Celestine in Rome Second period of reflection Meets Leo and joins papal staff as advisor Editing of Augustines teaching on grace: Epigrammata and Liber Sententiarum Prospers theological maturity: De vocatione omnium gentium Final edition of Chronicon Death of Prosper
early 450s Prospers ecclesiological maturity: Auctoritates

Preface

The following study on the life and works of Prosper of Aquitaine is the first biography of the much-neglected theologian. My interest in Prosper stemmed from my study of Augustines later doctrine of grace and the Churchs initial reactions to it following his death in 430. Although it was clear that Prosper played a pivotal role in the controversy that ensued in Provence over Augustines doctrine of grace, there was less scholarly work on Prosper than one might expect. In addition, as his importance in other areas of fifth-century ecclesiastical history became apparent after further study, I was even more puzzled by the lack of scholarly attention. Prosper was not as astute a theologian as Augustine, as ascetically accomplished as Cassian, or as charismatic as Leo. However, I found Prospers life just as interesting, if not more so. It is precisely because of his many failings and flaws that he drew and repulsed me at the same time. The Church recognizes Prosper as a saint for his service to the Church, but it is the story of how Prosper served the Church, which was not exactly saintly, that is fascinating. This work could not have been possible without the encouragement and help of some extraordinary people. Professors Paul Rorem and Kathleen McVey at Princeton Theological Seminary; Professors Thomas Shelley, Elizabeth Johnson, Mary Callaway, Joseph Pearson, George Demacapoulos, Maryanne Kowaleski, and Richard Gyug of Fordham University; the library staffs at Fordham University and Westmont College; my friends at Fordham, especially Christophe Chalamet and Ed Sieciencski; Peter Brown of Princeton University whose kindness and generosity continues to inspire me to be a

xiv Preface

better scholar and person; and my three amigos: Mark Rothweiler, John Ballard, and Marco Almeidalifelong friends and excellent fishing companions. My thanks to James C. Kruggel at the Catholic University of America Press for his encouragement and guidance throughout the process, and the readers of this manuscript, Fr. Roland Teske, S. J., and Dr. Augustine Casiday, who made valuable corrections and suggestions. I also wish to thank Wayne Hellmann at Saint Louis University for allowing me the time and space to finish the manuscript, and my graduate students Eric Wickman and Joseph Rajpaul Sundararaj. I am deeply indebted to my Doktorvater, Fr. Joseph Lienhard, S. J. Fr. Lienhard has carefully guided me through this ordeal, and has read and corrected the rough drafts of this work with meticulous care and attention to every detail. What scholarly accomplishment there may be in this work belongs to Fr. Lienhard most of all. Lastly, I wish to thank my family, especially my wife, Lydia, for her unfailing love and patience throughout this long and difficult journey, and my daughter, Zoe, who is responsible for the delay of this book, but who has more than compensated me with the daily joy and beauty she brings to my life. A little over than a century ago, Valentin justified his thousandpage dissertation on Prosper by stating, Une tude sur saint Prosper nest donc pas inutile.1 It is my hope that this is true.
1. L. Valentin, Saint Prosper dAquitaine: tude sur la littrature latine ecclsiastique au cinquime sicle en Gaule (Paris: Picard, 1900), 4.

The Ultimate Tuscany & Ferrari Experience
4-day Val dOrcia & Tuscany Ferrari Event
18 people, 5 Ferraris 26th 29th August 2010
OUR PHILOSOPHY Roadtrips offers a taste of the very finest in Italian Living, combined with an unforgettable Ferrari driving experience. Your event is dedicated to the discovering the complete Ferrari stable (Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari California, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Ferrari F430 Spider), offering the opportunity to get to know each of the latest models while enjoying the exhilaration of driving them on some of the most beautiful roads in Italy. Travelling in groups of 5 cars and with our skilled staff on hand to assist, your completely personalized tours offer the utmost in pure driving pleasure. A Roadtrips event is truly a never to be forgotten experience.
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PROGRAM

DAY 1 Thursday 26th August 2010: WELCOME TO VAL DORCIA, TUSCANY Morning Arrival at the airport (Rome or Florence International Airports) and private transfer to 5-star Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort in southern Tuscany. Upon arrival guests will be served a welcome cocktail in the beautiful surroundings of the hotel, and accommodated in Privilege category double rooms. Lunch in San Casciano dei Bagni. Restaurant: La Corte (Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort). Afternoon Afternoon dedicated to Spa & Relax: the mineral-rich, natural warm spring waters that emerge here have multiple therapeutic benefits and the ultimate relaxation. Take advantage of the thermal pool, the bioaquam circuit (with its various hydromassages) or any other spa treatment offered by this highly reputable spa resort set in the midst of the rolling hills of the Val dOrcia (southern Tuscany). Watch the jetlag slip away. 18.30: Full Ferrari briefing Your Tour Director, an expert Ferrari driver, will brief the group on how to drive the different Ferrari models. He will present the full Ferrari range; explain the difference between the various models (Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari California, Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Ferrari F430 Spider) and the engines (8- and 12cylinder) and most importantly, give guidance on how to handle the F1 paddle-gear shifting behind the steering wheel. Evening Dinner in San Casciano dei Bagni. Restaurant suggestion: Ferdinando I Restaurant (Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort). Taste the excellence of Tuscan cuisine: Regional ingredients offering refined products of indisputable quality with particular attention to detail combine to give great taste of the Italy, and again. a series of typical local restaurants offering traditional Tuscan cuisine with regional ingredients like olive oil, Porcini mushrooms, Pienza cheese, Brunello wine and Chianina meats. Overnight: Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort 5*****

DAY 2 Friday 27th August 2010: VAL DORCIA TOUR BY FERRARI Morning From 08.00 am, a buffet breakfast is served in the restaurant or if guests prefer, can be taken in their room. To better handle the group, the guests will be split in 2 groups, named IMOLA and MONZA, of 9/10 people each. While the IMOLA group is driving the Ferraris, MONZA guests will enjoy a relaxing bioaquam circuit at the hotel spa. Before departure, our Tour Director, connected by mobile radio system, will hold a second complete briefing with the guests settled inside the Ferraris. Ferrari driving experience 09.30: Departure by 5 Ferraris for a tour of Val dOrcia (IMOLA group). IMOLA group will drive the Ferraris on the beautiful roads of southern Tuscany, in the splendid Val dOrcia. MONZA group will instead enjoy a bioaquam session at the hotel spa. GROUP IMOLA: Drive by Ferrari to Bagno Vignoni and Pienza, halt for a coffee, and drive back to Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort in the morning Lunch with MONZA group at Hotel Fonteverde Spa session at the hotel spa in the afternoon GROUP MONZA: Spa session at the hotel spa in the morning Lunch with IMOLA group at Hotel Fonteverde Drive by Ferrari to Bagno Vignoni and Pienza, halt for a coffee, and drive back to Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort in the afternoon Our Tour Director leads the convoy at the wheel of his car, guiding the Ferraris along the most exciting hilly and curving roads, carefully selected for your group. A further two support cars will follow the convoy to ensure safety and to assist the group drivers if necessary. Each team member is connected to the rest of the group and to Red Travel staff by means of a powerful radio system. The itinerary includes the visits of the most beautiful places in Val dOrcia, i.e.
Pienza and Bagno Vignoni. Whilst driving, our guests will be able to enjoy outstanding views of the famous Tuscan vineyards on either side of the road. Mediaeval villages and the beautiful natural landscape offer an overwhelming feast for the eyes. The tour heads towards Bagno Vignoni, a splendid little place whose characteristic, besides the thermal waters flowing in the main square at 52 C (126 F), is its unchanged mediaeval structure. Halt in Pienza for a coffee break. The town, Pope Pius II birthplace, located high on a hillside. Meant to be the ideal Renaissance town, Pienza comprises such beauties as a white stone cathedral, Palazzo Piccolomini with its fine courtyard, Palazzo Borgia, a graceful Piazza

12.00: Departure by Ferrari for Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort (IMOLA group). Arrival at Hotel Fonteverde to join MONZA group for lunch. Lunch for all the participants in San Casciano dei Bagni. Restaurant: La Corte (Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort).
Afternoon 14.30: Departure by 5 Ferraris for a tour of Val dOrcia (MONZA group). At the wheel of 5 Ferraris, MONZA guests will explore the exciting roads of Val dOrcia, with halts in Bagno Vignoni and Pienza, as per IMOLA group in the morning. The famous Mille Miglia route offers a breathtakingly picturesque panorama, the enjoyment of which is enhanced by the pure pleasure of driving over an amazing succession of rolling hills and around never-ending curves! Meanwhile, IMOLA guests will have the opportunity of relaxing at the hotel spa. Halts in Bagno Vignoni and Pienza for MONZA group. 17.00: Departure by Ferrari for Hotel Fonteverde (MONZA group). 18.00: Arrival at Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort for both groups and the end of the days activities. Time for leisure for all guests.
Evening 18.45: Meet at the hotel lobby for the private transfer to Cetona, where our clients will have the opportunity of having an unforgettable Gala dinner. Dinner in Cetona. Restaurant suggestion: La Frateria di Padre Eligio. Born in one of the most beautiful monuments ever built by men, St. Francis convent, founded by St. Francis in 1212, is still an unchanged example of the life in convent in the Dark Ages. (unbelievable dining experience) Return to the hotel after dinner. Overnight: Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort 5*****
DAY 3 Saturday 28th August 2010: CULTURAL AND WINE TOUR OF TUSCANY Morning From 08.00 am, a buffet breakfast is served in the restaurant or if guests prefer, can be taken in their room. 09.30: Private transfer to Montalcino to visit the mediaeval village with the castle on top, and then to enjoy one of the most known wine estate of the area, Barbi. Arrival at Fattoria dei Barbi, and private guide visit of the estate. 13.00: Lunch and wine tasting at Restaurant of Fattoria dei Barbi.
Afternoon After enjoying lunch at Fattoria dei Barbi, the group will have a short transfer to another beautiful location that Val dOrcia has to offer: Montepulciano.
Montepulciano, archetypical Tuscan mediaeval town, is built at the summit of a hill as well and surrounded by walls and fortifications. The place is famous for its Vino Nobile, one of Italys major red wines. Transfer to Hotel Fonteverde and time for leisure for all guests. Evening 19.30: Meet at the hotel lobby for the private transfer to San Casciano town centre to enjoy a typical Tuscan dinner. Dinner in San Casciano dei Bagni. Restaurant suggestion: Daniela. Return to the hotel after dinner. Overnight: Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort 5*****

DAY 4 Sunday 29th August 2010: ARRIVEDERCI ITALIA! Morning Breakfast in hotel and checkout. Private transfer to Orvieto, and visit of this unspoiled mediaeval city, worldrenowned to be a perfect example of integration between nature and mans work. Orvieto is an ancient Etruscan city (Velzna) that reached its pinnacle as a commercial centre in the VI century BC. Subsequently, it was invaded and destroyed by the Romans in 264 BC. Re-established in the Middle Ages under the name of Urbs Vetus; today the town still has the appearance of a stronghold, chiselled with a network of narrow roads, and a labyrinth of underground passages and tunnels. Time at leisure to visit the town and the famous well of St. Patrick. Lunch in Orvieto Restaurant suggestion: Il Giglio dOro
Afternoon After lunch, transfer to Rome Fiumicino International Airport for your return flight.
Highlights & services included
5 Ferraris (latest models) 3 nights accommodation at five-star luxury Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort (Privilege double rooms with breakfast) Full Ferrari briefing Welcome cocktail on arrival Coffee break during Ferrari drive All meals water, soft drinks and wine included Private transfers from/to airports, and during the tour Spa treatments at Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort (BioAcquam, Etruscan circuit with sauna, hot plate, Turkish bath and access to therapeutic spa pools) Red Travel staff (8 people) including our private Tour Director with his car plus two additional support cars 8 powerful radios. Guests are always in contact with travel staff through a mobile radio system Full-kasko car insurance (50 million euros civil liability) for all 8 cars (5 Ferraris plus three support cars)
Fuel for all 8 cars 8 Telepass devices (Electronic Toll Collection) one for each car, to avoid queuing at motorway toll booths Parking, cleaning and refuelling of all cars Reserved parking for the cars during lunch and/or visits All required inspections Photographic service; our guests will provided a souvenir DVD of highresolution images of the event
Not included Airfare Extra alcohol Everything not expressly shown as included services. Ferrari full-range car portfolio: 1 x Ferrari 458 Italia 1 x Ferrari California 1 x Ferrari 430 Scuderia Fx Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Fx Ferrari F430 Spider F1
Only the very latest models will be used. The full and definitive list of the Ferraris available will be provided one week before the event. During the event, each participant can drive up to three different Ferrari models.