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An uncommon copy of Regia Via Crucis (Holy Cross) by Benedictus Van Haeften. With an illustrated title page, decorative pieces and further engravings integrated with text, each of which is accompanied by a passage from Scripture. An uncommon copy of Regia Via Crucis (Holy Cross) by Benedictus Van Haeften. With an illustrated title page, decorative pieces and further engravings integrated with text, each of which is accompanied by a passage from Scripture. In Latin. First published in 1635. Benedictus van Haeften (1588 - 1648) was a Benedictine writer and the Provost of Affligem Abbey and a writer of religious works. Haeften commissioned Rubens and De Crayer to decorate the church and the monastery in Affligem. After studying philosophy and theology at the Catholic University of Leuven, he entered the Benedictine Abbey of Affligem in 1609, took solemn vows on 14 May 1611, and was ordained priest in 1613. He then returned to Leuven to continue his theological studies, but was recalled to his monastery when he was about to receive the licentiate in theology. In 1616 he became prior, and in 1618 Matthias Hovius, Archbishop of Mechelen, who was at the same time Abbot of Affligem, appointed him provost of his monastery. Affligem at the time belonged to the Bursfeld Union, and under the prudent direction of van Haeften was in a flourishing condition. Jacob Boonen, who had succeeded Hovius as archbishop and abbot in 1620, desired to join the monastery to the new Congregation of St. Vannes, in Lorraine, which had a stricter constitution than Bursfeld. After some hesitation, van Haeften agreed to the change, and on 18 October 1627, began his novitiate under the direction of a monk of the Congregation of Lorraine. Together with eight of his monks, he made confession according to the new reform on 25 October 1628, and founded the Belgian Congregation of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin. The new reform enjoined perpetual abstinence, daily rising at two o'clock in the morning, and manual labour joined with study. The new congregation was of short duration. The Archbishop of Mechelen brought about its dissolution in 1654. Van Haeften is the author of a learned and painstaking work of monastic researches in the life and rule of St. Benedict. Bookseller's label to front pastedown. In a contemporary roan binding. Externally, generally sound but with some wear to extremities, spine label absent, rubbing and marks to boards. Front joint starting with backstrip lifting. Internally, generally firmly bound although slightly strained in places. Bright and generally clean with only slight handling marks and the very odd spot. Title is close cropped to head of page. Good. Seller Inventory # FGN22-C-5
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