Henry Suso stands as a prominent figure of fourteenth-century German mysticism, acting as both a rigorous theologian and a prolific vernacular writer. Throughout a life dedicated to the Dominican Order, he navigated the complex intellectual tensions following the condemnation of Meister Eckhart, ultimately producing a body of work that solidified his reputation across European religious circles.
Early Life and Formation
Born in 1295 near Constance, Suso originated from the family of Berg. Entering the Dominican novitiate at the age of thirteen, he underwent standard philosophical and theological training. During his time at the Constance priory, he experienced a profound spiritual shift, identifying himself as the Servant of Eternal Wisdom. This focus on a mystical union with Christ defined his subsequent intellectual and devotional trajectory.
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Suso continued his studies in Strasbourg and later at the Studium Generale in Cologne. His time in Cologne likely facilitated his exposure to the teachings of Meister Eckhart. Upon returning to Constance as a lector, Suso became caught in the fallout of Eckhart’s posthumous heresy trial. He drafted the Little Book of Truth to defend these controversial teachings, an act that led to his denunciation and a required appearance at the Dominican General Chapter in Maastricht in 1330.
Literary Contributions
His primary writings include the Little Book of Truth, the Little Book of Eternal Wisdom, and its Latin expansion, the Horologium sapientiae. These works were intended to guide spiritual practice. Later in life, he collaborated with Elsbeth Stagel, who helped preserve his letters and draft the Vita. His final editorial effort, The Exemplar, synthesized his major vernacular writings into a single collection before his death in 1366.
Asceticism and Final Years
In his earlier years, Suso practiced intense physical mortifications, including the use of spiked garments and restrictive bedding. He eventually concluded that these practices were unnecessary, shifting his focus away from such physical austerities. Following a period of exile from Constance between 1339 and 1346 due to political conflicts, he settled in Ulm, where he remained until he died.
Fast facts
- Born: 1295, Constance, Germany
- Died: 1366, Ulm, Germany
- Occupation: Dominican friar, philosopher, and mystic
- Notable work: Horologium sapientiae
- Notable work: The Exemplar
- Languages: Middle High German and Latin
- Buried: Baden-Württemberg
- Beatified: 1831
Questions readers ask
Did Henry Suso support Meister Eckhart?
Yes, he authored the Little Book of Truth to defend Eckhart's teachings following the latter's condemnation for heresy.
What was the purpose of The Exemplar?
The Exemplar was a compilation of his vernacular works, letters, and the story of his spiritual life, edited by Suso in his final years.
Achievements
- Notable work: Minnebüchlein
- Notable work: Horologium sapientiae
- Notable work: Das Büchlein der ewigen Weisheit
- Notable work: Das Büchlein der Wahrheit
- Fields: philosophy
