 previous article in this issue | next article in this issue  |
Preview first page |
Document Details : Title: In Christi charitate diligere studebat Subtitle: The Twelfth- and Thirteenth-Century Mulieres Religiosae and Charity: a Secret Love? Author(s): MOENS, Robin Journal: Studies in Spirituality Volume: 32 Date: 2022-2023 Pages: 191-215 DOI: 10.2143/SIS.32.0.3292459 Abstract : The mulieres religiosae or (in translation) pious women – a denomination used to indicate all kind of celibatarian women in the twelfth- and thirteenth-century Low Countries – led a life of profound mystical union with Christ. This union was always both rooted and expressed in a life of charitable service towards their neighbours. Their mystical life certainly was no flight from the world, but firmly rooted in everyday life and expressed in concrete acts of charity towards the people surrounding them. Indeed, they did actively search to be surrounded by many friends, spiritual guides and spiritual sons and daughters – a whole network of friends in Christ, a true schola caritatis, connected by (often reciprocal) links of spiritual mother- or fatherhood. Closely connected to this charitable counselling activity was their intense intercessory prayer and atonement for many sinners, both afar and nearby. Their motherly affection expressed itself also in the care for sick and needy, often lepers or fellow sisters of bad health, often recognising Christ in the needy they assisted. |
|
