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Monastic Reform and Statute in the Late Middle Ages: the Celestine Constitutions and the Minim Rule![]()
Monastic Reform and Statute in the Late Middle Ages: the Celestine Constitutions and the Minim Rule
59 Queen's Park Crescent, Room A, PIMS Time: Mar 22nd, 3:10 pm End: Mar 22nd, 5:00 pm Interest Categories: Religion, Study of (FAS), Medieval Studies (FAS), History (FAS), Historical Studies (UTM), Historical and Cultural Studies (UTSC), 1500-1800, 1200-1500 Talk by Robert Shaw The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies presents Monastic Reform and Statute in the Late Middle Ages: the Celestine Constitutions and the Minim Rule
DR. ROBERT SHAW The call for 'regular observance' in monastic life that resounded in the Late Middle Ages often appears allied with a hidebound interpretation and enforcement of normative texts. These norms frequently included not only traditional 'rules' but also more recent proscriptive statutory outlays, often created by reformers themselves. The predilection for precision that later medieval reformers could evoke can seem to reinforce impressions of disciplinary decay and, to modern eyes, suggest an essential spiritual vacuousness: the core of religion can seem lost within institutional demands. Thus, the historian Jean Leclercq once spoke pejoratively of the 'literalism' of later medieval reform efforts. This seminar looks to reconsider this outlay by turning to the history of two later medieval congregations: the Celestines, a reformed Benedictine group with late thirteenth century roots, and the Minims, a new mendicant order and a product of the second half of the fifteenth century. Both had loose Italian eremitic roots, but both reached pinnacles of public impact as well organised orders in France. And both, within these progressions, produced
This event is free and open to all. For further information, please contact the Pontifical Institute for Mediaeval Studies at 416 926-7142 |