medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (19. May) is the feast day of:
Pudentiana (?) Deleted from the calendar in 1969 (except for her
basilica in Rome), Pudentiana is a mythical virgin created because of
a misunderstanding. A wealthy third-century Christian founded a
church in his house known as the "domus Pudentiana," which was then
thought to refer to a saint of that name.
Alcuin (d. 804) Alcuin of York was master of the cathedral school in
his hometown but his life took an interesting turn when he was sent
to Rome to collect the pallium for a new archbishop. He met
Charlemagne at Parma and invited to create a palace school. He was
paid well---with six abbacies, including St. Martin's of Tours
(although he was never a monk). A not particularly original writer,
perhaps most important to the Carolingian renaissance for his edition
of the Bible and his general voice of moderation. A. is listed as
"blessed" in the Gallican martyrology but has never had a cult,
except perhaps among a few medievalists.
Dunstan of Canterbury (d. 988) Dunstan was educated at Glastonbury,
became a royal courtier, then returned to Glastonbury where he was a
famous metalworker (according to legend, the devil once came to him
in his shop and D. responded to his temptations by pulling his nose
with the pincers he was holding). In 943 the king made him abbot of
Glastonbury, which grew into a center of monastic renewal (improved
by first-hand acquaintance with reformed monasticism when D. was
exiled and spent time in Ghent). D., Aethelwold, and Oswald
instituted a major monastic reform, continued when D. became bishop
of Worcester in 957 and archbishop of Canterbury in 960.
Humiliana de' Cerchi (blessed) (d. 1246) The Florentine Humiliana
married, but when her husband died at a young age became the first
Franciscan tertiary in Florence (she had two daughters, so couldn't
join the Poor Clares). Her cult was approved in 1694.
Celestine V (d. 1296) Peter of Morrone was a hermit who won a lot of
disciples and founded the Benedictine congregation of Celestines.
The papal conclave couldn't reach a decision in 1294 and chose the
aged Peter as a compromise. His pontificate was a disaster. The
workings of the curia were intensely complicated and the new
Celestine V was a complete outsider---it's no wonder he built himself
a little hermit's cell in a corner of the Lateran palace and stayed
there. He abdicated after nine months---the only pope to do so. C's
kindly, gentle successor Boniface VIII then kept C. imprisoned until
his death. He was canonized (under the name Peter) in 1313, but his
cult was restricted to local calendars in the calendar purge of 1969.
Ivo (Helory) (d. 1303) Ivo (Yvo) was from near Treguier in Brittany.
He studied at Paris and Orleans and became a lawyer, defending poor
as well as rich and winning the nickname "Advocate of the Poor." He
was canonized in 1347 and is patron saint of lawyers (so I guess that
there must be at least one lawyer in heaven).
**********************************************************************
To join the list, send the message: join medieval-religion YOUR NAME
to: [log in to unmask]
To send a message to the list, address it to:
[log in to unmask]
To leave the list, send the message: leave medieval-religion
to: [log in to unmask]
In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to:
[log in to unmask]
For further information, visit our web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/medieval-religion.html
|