Do manual de confessores ao guia de penitentes : orientações e caminhos da confissão no Portugal pós-Trento

Resumo

The aim of this study is to identify the main features of the trajectory and  evolution   of  the  literature   leading  with  penitence  in  Portugal,  after  the Tridentine  Council.  Some  particular  aspects  of  the  evolution of  the  genre  are underlined,   taking  into  account,   first,  the  continuity   of   the  conditions   of  its production from the late 15th to the mid-16th century; secondly, its dependency on the  pastoral  orientations  formulated  by  the  Council  - particularly  through  the Roman Catechism -, and thirdly, the strong influence of Spanish authors and works from  the latter  decades of the 16th century. The effort  put on the diffusion of  the sacramental  confession,  the  calling  for  frequent  confession  and  the  attempt  at articulating  the practice of confession with that of communion and other devotional practices are emphasized.