Alumbrados

The Alumbrados (also Iluminados or Illuminati, Enlightened ) was a mystical movement in Spain. They represented no single organized group, but came singly or in groups in appearance, as in Toledo 1512-1532, 1570-1582 in Llerena and Seville 1623rd

The movement was rooted in the ecclesial Reformbestrebung this time, which often strove for a purer, more inward religion. She was initially promoted by the reformed Franciscans and other religious people, but also has ideas from ( partially heretical ) reform movements of the Middle Ages, ( Beguines, Fraticelli ) was added. A Reformation influence is uncertain.

The Alumbrados stressed the aspect of passive union of the human soul with God, which could also lead to ecstasies and visions. The name was first on the Franciscan Juan de Olmillos and Francisco de Osuna (ca. 1492-1540 ), the author of the work " Abecedario spiritual " ( 1528-1554 ) applied. The Alumbrados were celebrated by the common people often enthusiastic, persecuted by the Inquisition often. At the beginning of his ministry and the Jesuit founder Ignatius of Loyola was suspected to be Alumbrado. Also Teresa of Avila was denounced as Alumbrada, the Spanish Inquisition which not pursued. The movement died out in the 17th century.

From conspiracy theorists the Alumbrados be related to the Illuminati in connection because of the name similarity. However, content relationships do not exist.