On the Notion and Theory of Grace in Confessio peccatoris of Ferenc Rákóczi II

Abstract

Written in French and Turkish exile between 1716 and 1720, the work had its genesis at an intersection of various cultures in European autobiography. In addition to the ideas of sin, penitence and punishment, grace constitutes its most important leitmotif.  The paper examines the use of the notion, the typology, functions, concepts and rhetoric of grace, and analyses the ideological context of the doctrine of grace with Rákóczi. Rákóczi represents himself from the act of his conversion effected by grace and puts his life in the perspective of grace. The idea of grace is used for explication of the turns in life and history. Confessio is an original attempt in the conciliation of the orthodox concept and of Jansenist positions. Theoretical remarks are subordinated to the discussion of questions of morals and Rákóczi functionalizes them in narration and meditation. His concept corresponds essentially to that of saint Augustine and is not inconsistent with the ideas of Jansen either.