Cistercian World, The: Monastic Writings Of The Twelfth Centur

Description:
The Cistercian Order was born in Burgundy at the start of the twelfth century as a movement of radical renewal - an Order that survives to this day with the greater part of its written heritage preserved. This volume brings together a selection of its finest works, which speak powerfully across the centuries to modern readers. Writings by St Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090-1153) - including his letters, 'The Life of Malachy the Irishman', sermons on the 'Song of Songs' and the sharply satirical 'Apologia for Abbot William' - reveal him to be a highly individual and influential writer of the Middle Ages. Also included here are a charming description of Clairvaux, biographies of abbots and a series of exemplary stories, all drawing on the Scriptures to express intensely personal forms of monastic theology.

Table of Contents:
CiteAuX: the early years: The Little Exord; The Admonition of Stephen Harding. Bernard of Clairvaux: From 'The Vita Prima' by William of St Thierry, Arnald of Bonneval and Geoffrey of Auxerre; From 'An Apologia for Abbot William'; From 'The Life of Malachy the Irishman'; Three Sermons on the Song of Songs; From 'On Consideration'; Nine Letters. William of St Thierry: Three Meditations. Guerric of Igny: Three Sermons. Amedeus of Lausanne: From the Fourth Homily on Mary, the Virgin Mother. Aelred of Rievaulx: From 'The Life of Aelred' by Walter Daniel; From 'On Spiritual Friendship'; From 'The Mirror of Charity'; Pastoral Prayer. Isaac of Stella: Two Sermons. Gilbert of Hoyland: Two Sermons; Two Letters. John of Ford: From 'The Life of Wtqric of Haselbury'. Adam of Perseigne: Two Letters. A description of Clairvaux: A Description of Clairvaux. Through memory's door: Eight Stories from Exemplum Collections.

Author Biography:
Translated and edited with an introduction by Pauline Matarasso