Spiritual and Ascetic Letters of Savonarola #245336

Girolamo Savonarola was born at Ferrara, September 21st, 1452. His grandfather, Michele Savonarola, was a celebrated Paduan physician, and Girolamo was destined by his parents for the same profession. From quite early years he loved study and mysticism, and turned his back upon a worldly and pleasure-loving life. When he was nineteen, however, he fell in love with a girl of the proud Florentine family of the Strozzi, but his suit being refused he was thrown back upon himself, and for two years he remained in doubt whether to go on with his medical career or to devote himself to the direct service of God.<br><br>"Lord, teach me," he prayed daily, "the way in which my soul should walk." In 1474, through a sermon heard at Faenza, his prayer was answered, and his way made clear.