ABSTRACT
Kierkegaard’s encounter with the Benedictine spiritual author Ludovicus Blosius enhanced further the philosopher’s respect for the old edifying literature which he valued regardless of its denominational profile. Blosius constituted for Kierkegaard an obvious anti-pole to modern theologians and pastors, as the kerygma he preached had a definite existential dimension. Kierkegaard was amazed by Blosius as a spiritual guide, pointing out his conscientious approach to cura animarum. He owned the oldest edition of Blosius’ Opera omnia, and his excerpts stem from those works of Blosius that largely draw on the legacy of the medieval mystics. Although Blosius’ presence in Kierkegaard’s writings is sporadic, he can be considered part of a broader tradition that certainly had an effect on Kierkegaard’s understanding of authentic Christianity.
