medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
"He [Fiacre] was also noted for his misogyny, refusing to allow women into
his hermitage or chapel."
I think this is the sort of comment that needs some discussion. It is not
the first time I heave heard it, of course. But I still wonder if the
establishment of a cloister boundary by either men's or women's houses
constitutes what is usually defined as "misogyny" or "misanthropy". It is
involved of course with the very complex issue of maintaining celibacy and
at a deeper level perhaps, the traditional spiritual ambiance of the
community. the perhaps deeper issue is Catholic instincts (I guess I would
say) about the daemonic power of sexuality. This list is a good place to
move carefully around this history, eschewing modern ideologies or at least
making more careful assessments of their possible relevance to such
historically complex customs.
John B. Wickstrom
Kalamazoo College
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-----Original Message-----
From: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Phyllis Jestice
Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2001 8:18 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [M-R] saints of the day 30. August
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Today (30. August) is the feast day of:
Pammachius (d. 409) The noble Roman Pammachius was born in c. 340 to a
senatorial family. After his wife died in 397 he put on a simple monk's
habit and dedicated himself to the care of others. He gave all his
possessions to pay for the construction of homes for the sick and poor as
well as for churches.
Agilus (d. c. 650) Agilus was born in c. 580 in Burgundy. He became a
monk and first abbot of the monastery of Rebais-en-Brie, founded by St.
Audoin. His cult spread through all of France.
Fiacre (d. c. 670) Fiacre was one of the many Irish monks who left Ireland
in peregrinatio for the Continent. According to tradition, he arrived in
the Brie district of modern France in c. 630, and became a hermit in the
forest of Breuil, where he remained for the rest of his life. The author
of his twelfth-century Life reports that Fiacre built the first hostel for
Irish pilgrims on the Continent, planting an elaborate vegetable garden to
supply food for these travelers. He was also noted for his misogyny,
refusing to allow women into his hermitage or chapel. Fiacre's cult became
widespread in France, although he was little-known on his native island.
His odd collection of attributes made him into the patron saint of
travelers and gardeners, and he is also invoked to cure venereal diseases.
Oddly, he is also the patron saint of taxis: a variety of hackney carriage
was called the "fiacre" because they were rented by the hotel Saint-Fiacre
in Paris, and fiacre remains a French word for taxi cabs.
Petrus of Trevi (d. 1052) Petrus was born in c. 1025 near Rome. He fled
from his parents' house to escape a planned marriage. He was educated and
ordained as a priest in Rome, and then worked as a wandering preacher in
the countryside around Rome, winning great popular veneration. He died in
Trevi when he was only about 27 years old. Petrus was canonized in 1215.
(I have a feeling there's a fascinating story behind this guy; does anybody
know any sources for further information?)
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice
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