Photo Caption: Image: The Manuscript (9 H 39) containing the poetry of Jean de Saint Samson
., member of the at the of the University of Malta, and Project Editor for the critical edition of the Complete Works of John of Saint-Samson, organised the first Atelier Jean de Saint-Samson on Monday 6 June 2023. The workshop gathered esteemed scholars in French literature, poetry, and mysticism gathered to discuss and contribute to the critical edition of volume 9 from the 艗uvres compl猫tes series, published by Edizioni Carmelitane. The event was held in collaboration with fr猫re Martin de la Croix, O. Carm., and Prof. Fran莽ois Tr茅moli猫res from the University of Rennes-2.
The forthcoming volume will present a meticulous edition of the Poems, Canticles, and Sonnets dictated by John of Saint Samson (1571-1636). The project is coordinated by fr猫re de la Croix and involves the joint efforts of Prof. Guillaume Peureux, Prof. Cl茅ment Duyck, Prof. Audrey Duru, Prof. Fran莽ois Tr茅moli猫res, and Dr Camilleri.
The challenges in transcribing Jean鈥檚 poetry lie in the non-adherence to the mystic鈥檚 intended poetic structure and the absence of punctuation. Scholars carefully attend to the rhythm and rhyme found within the poems, placing John鈥檚 work within the broader context of French poetic traditions. The critical edition aims to preserve the oral nature of Jean鈥檚 mystical discourse, elucidate mystical themes, and explore intertextual connections with other mystical literature and Carmelite liturgy.
Additional ateliers are planned for the coming year, with the goal of completing another volume from the 艗uvres compl猫tes series.
Furthermore, a critical edition of Observations sur la R猫gle du Carmel by Prof. Hein Blommestijn and Dr Carmen Fotescu, edited with a preface by Camilleri, is currently in the printing phase and will be released later this year.
Edizioni Carmelitane is also publishing translations of the Complete Works of John of Saint Samson, undertaken by Sr Veronica of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Br Neil Conlisk. These translations, edited by Camilleri, will be available in the Carmel in the World Publications collection. Two volumes have already been released, with two more currently in progress.
