Alumbrados

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Alumbrados (Span., also known from Lat., as Illuminati). Movements for reform, based on personal holiness and enlightenment, in 16th/17th cent. Spain. At least three different groups have been identified, attracting both educated and uneducated adherents. Because of their supposed connection with Lutheranism, they were fiercely persecuted by the Inquisition; yet prominent figures (e.g. Ignatius Loyola, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila) were all accused of illuminism, illustrating how close were the goals of holiness for these diverse figures.