Die Liebe der Magdalena. Ein französischer Sermon - Rainer Maria Rilke

First edition of Rilke’s translation of this sermon by the 17th century pulpit orator Laquea-Begnigne Boussuet on the life and spirituality of Mary Magdalene. The sermon had just come to light in Petersburg and Rilke was enchanted by its religious eroticism, especially since it preached abnegation to earthly lovers and waxed eloquent on the subject of the selfless passion of Mary Magdalene.