Struktura "Modlitwy do Świętego Józefa Hermana" na przykładzie siedemnastowiecznego "Modlitewnika" Krystyny Szembekówny

Abstract

The article analyses the structure of the prayer present in The Prayer to Saint Józef Herman, contained in XVH century manuscript of Prayer Book by Krystyna Szembekówna. Józef Herman was a Mediaeval ascetic writer, the representative of the Rhine mystics. His Mass to Mystery of Incarnation and to Virgin Mary, rooted in mystical experience, like: ecstasy and visions, earned him an appellation of “the second Joseph" (that was why it was added to his first name). In The Prayer to Saint Józef Herman by Krystyna Szembekówna there are five structural elements of a prayer: anaclesis (invocation of God), anamnesis (remembering of God’s deeds motivating the request), request (introducing formula and object of prayer), conclusion (doxological formula, expressing adoration of God) and acclamation. The structural scheme which had survived in the prayer proves that form reflects and at the same time enhances intensity o f religious experiences. However, the beauty of the prayer is expressed not only by its form, but also by the way the experience of holy figures is presented.