Auguste-François Maunoury
Encyclopedia
Auguste-François Maunoury (b. at Champsecret
, Orne
, France, 30 Oct., 1811; d. Séez, Orne, 17 Nov., 1898) was a Catholic Hellenist
and exegete.
He studied classics at the preparatory seminary
in Séez, to which institution he returned after his theological course, and where he spent the whole of his long priestly career. Until 1852, he taught the classics, and then became professor of rhetoric
, a position which he occupied for twenty-two years. During this period, keeping abreast of the progress of Hellenistic studies in France and Germany, he composed, published, and revised those of his works (Grammaire de la Langue Grecque; Chrestomathie etc.) which gained him a reputation as a Greek scholar. Towards 1866, Maunoury began his work as a commentator of Holy Writ, by treating some sections of the Gospel
in the Semaine Catholique of his native diocese; but it was only after 1875, that he gave himself fully to the pursuit of Biblical studies. In 1877, he became canon
of the cathedral of Séez; and the following year, he began to publish his commentaries on all the Epistle
s of the New Testament
.
These commentaries appeared in five volumes, as follows:
In explaining the Sacred Text he made use of his familiarity with Greek grammar and authors, availed himself chiefly of the commentaries of St. John Chrysostom and Theodoret
. In 1894, he published his Com. in Psalmos (Commentary on the Psalms
; 2 vols., Paris), a Latin work, written almost exclusively on the basis of the Vulgate
and the Septuagint. His only contribution to Apologetics
is a volume entitled Soirées d'Automne, ou la Religion prouvée aux gens du monde (Paris, 1887).
Champsecret
Champsecret is a commune in the Orne department in north-western France....
, Orne
Orne
Orne is a department in the northwest of France, named after the river Orne.- History :Orne is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution, on March 4, 1790. It was created from parts of the former provinces of Normandy and Perche.- Geography :Orne is in the region of...
, France, 30 Oct., 1811; d. Séez, Orne, 17 Nov., 1898) was a Catholic Hellenist
Hellenism (Academia)
Academics who study ancient or modern Greece may be referred to as Hellenists, and thus the study of Greece may be referred to as Hellenism. This should not be confused with the use of Hellenism to mean the spread of Greek culture, nor to describe the neoclassic Hellenism movement....
and exegete.
He studied classics at the preparatory seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
in Séez, to which institution he returned after his theological course, and where he spent the whole of his long priestly career. Until 1852, he taught the classics, and then became professor of rhetoric
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. As a subject of formal study and a productive civic practice, rhetoric has played a central role in the Western...
, a position which he occupied for twenty-two years. During this period, keeping abreast of the progress of Hellenistic studies in France and Germany, he composed, published, and revised those of his works (Grammaire de la Langue Grecque; Chrestomathie etc.) which gained him a reputation as a Greek scholar. Towards 1866, Maunoury began his work as a commentator of Holy Writ, by treating some sections of the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
in the Semaine Catholique of his native diocese; but it was only after 1875, that he gave himself fully to the pursuit of Biblical studies. In 1877, he became canon
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of the cathedral of Séez; and the following year, he began to publish his commentaries on all the Epistle
Epistle
An epistle is a writing directed or sent to a person or group of people, usually an elegant and formal didactic letter. The epistle genre of letter-writing was common in ancient Egypt as part of the scribal-school writing curriculum. The letters in the New Testament from Apostles to Christians...
s of the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
.
These commentaries appeared in five volumes, as follows:
- Com. sur L'Epître aux Romains (Paris, 1878)
- Com. sur les deux Epîtres aux Corinthiens (Paris, 1879)
- Com. sur les Epîtres aux Galates, aux Ephésiens, aux Phillippiens, aux Colossiens, et aux Thessaloniciens (Paris, 1880)
- Com. sur les Epîtres à Timothée, à Tite, à Philémon, aux Hébreux (Paris, 1882)
- Com. sur les Epîtres Catholiques de St Jacques, St. Pierre, St. Jean et St. Jude (Paris, 1888).
In explaining the Sacred Text he made use of his familiarity with Greek grammar and authors, availed himself chiefly of the commentaries of St. John Chrysostom and Theodoret
Theodoret
Theodoret of Cyrus or Cyrrhus was an influential author, theologian, and Christian bishop of Cyrrhus, Syria . He played a pivotal role in many early Byzantine church controversies that led to various ecumenical acts and schisms...
. In 1894, he published his Com. in Psalmos (Commentary on the Psalms
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
; 2 vols., Paris), a Latin work, written almost exclusively on the basis of the Vulgate
Vulgate
The Vulgate is a late 4th-century Latin translation of the Bible. It was largely the work of St. Jerome, who was commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382 to make a revision of the old Latin translations...
and the Septuagint. His only contribution to Apologetics
Apologetics
Apologetics is the discipline of defending a position through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers Apologetics (from Greek ἀπολογία, "speaking in defense") is the discipline of defending a position (often religious) through the systematic use of reason. Early Christian writers...
is a volume entitled Soirées d'Automne, ou la Religion prouvée aux gens du monde (Paris, 1887).