Do alto do céu ao rés do chão: neotomismo e tradição nos sermões pregados por Vieira no Brasil Colonial

Abstract

From literature research, it is a reading of the sermons of Antonio Vieira, especially those pronounced during his missionary period in Maranhao, 1653-1662. It starts from the principle that the neo-Thomistic revival philosophy, mainly through Francisco Suárez, emerges to revitalize the Iberian tradition, weakened by a series of questions to the Christian Catholic cosmology and its hierarchical sense of the world. The Jesuit emerges with its Baroque sermon in a Messianic purpose announcing Portugal as the great kingdom savior of mankind. Entering Vieira's prophecy in Neothomism orbit, one can understand their missionary work as something to affirm and strengthen the idea of Iberian tradition by expanding areas in the Portuguese kingdom and the form of Lusitanian life. But when Vieira is faced with the colonial population realizes that his rhetoric does not produce the desired effect. The optimism about the inevitable Portuguese destination driving humanity to the kingdom of heaven by spreading the word of Christ, ends and in its place there is the resignation and subsequent regret for loss of a multitude of souls in full colonial territory. This data can be clearly seen through his sermons. Moreover, starting from the principle of philosophical hermeneutics, and the place occupied by the rhetoric in building a community, it is concluded that the very rejection of Vieira's words indicate for a similar rejection of the colonial population of Iberian tradition.