Francisco de Osuna

Francisco de Osuna (* 1492 in Osuna in Seville in Andalusia, † 1541 in Spain ) was a mystical theologian and religious reformer.

He joined in 1514 the Castilian Congregation of the Franciscan Observant one. He completed his studies at the University of Alcalá was founded only in 1499. At the Hermitage La Salceda he wrote va writings the spiritual theology. Overall, he is said to have written more than 500 works. Most important is his treatise on contemplative prayer, Abecedario Espiritual consisting of six alphabetical spiritual maxims, whose most influential was the third.

He was brought into the vicinity of the Alumbrados and had to defend themselves. In fact, he developed more of an active contemplative theology of the collection, which has its goal in the unio mystica, but not how the early Alumbrados, a passive doctrine of the separation and the passive waiting for God.

He influenced a large part of the Spanish mystics, including Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross.