This article accompanies the fable
Angel Incarnate



Women Mystics: Lucia Brocadelli of Narni

During his lifetime, Savonarola was highly critical of women mystics, suspicious of their diabolical illusions. His defenders argued then, as now, that this was done not just to protect himself against his enemies but to protect them as well. Certainly he inspired many women to join religious houses - it was a society ruled by apparitions and fear of the apocalypse.

The most famous mystic was Lucia Brocadelli of Narni. They never met. But devotees argued that Savonarola deserved the credit for inspiring her stigmata, her blood flowing for Firenze’s sins, and even after his martyrdom, some mystics claimed he appeared to them in visions. Did these mystics in fact annex Savonarola and use his name to justify their own revelations? After all, in communicating directly with God these women no longer needed the Church.

There are those who believe she inspired C.S. Lewis: Lucy of Narnia...

The above is from Narni, Italy. The town at times has been known as Narnia, something Lewis would have been aware of. Photo: Giuseppe Fortunati. Below is Albrecht Dürer's sketch of 1508, known as The Praying Hands.