Comparative Monasticism: Method, Theory, and Concepts

Sponsoring Organization(s)

Center for Cistercian and Monastic Studies, Western Michigan Univ.

Organizer Name

Susan M. B. Steuer

Organizer Affiliation

Western Michigan Univ.

Presider Name

E. Rozanne Elder

Presider Affiliation

Western Michigan Univ.

Paper Title 1

Leaving the World Behind: Pagan and Christian Narrative Models of Asceticism in Late Antiquity

Presenter 1 Name

Ilinca Tanaseanu-Döbler

Presenter 1 Affiliation

Institut für Religionswissenschaft, Georg-August-Univ. Göttingen

Paper Title 2

Staging Holy Men: Bernard of Clairvaux as Hagiographer

Presenter 2 Name

Marvin Döbler

Presenter 2 Affiliation

Ev. -luth. Landeskirche Hannovers

Paper Title 3

Bernard of Clairvaux in Monastic Theatricals of the Eighteenth Century

Presenter 3 Name

Alcuin Schachenmayr

Presenter 3 Affiliation

Pontifical Athenaeum Benedict XVI. Heiligenkreuz

Start Date

13-5-2018 10:30 AM

Session Location

Fetzer 1040

Description

During the 4th to the 6th century AD, other ascetic concepts shaped the emerging Western tradition, such as collections of sayings of the desert fathers, biographies of holy men, or philosophical texts. A closer look at this discourse, which forms part of the heritage of the Cistercian tradition, may help us to understand the medieval discussion in which the Cistercian fathers so heavily engage. Moreover, it opens the ground for comparative studies: to what extent do we find similar concepts in other religious traditions?

Susan Steuer