Jesus as Mother: Studies in the Spirituality of the High Middle Ages

TLDR

The 12th‑century Cistercian spirituality explored the role of regular canons, community life, and the emerging sense of individual identity. The study examines how 12th‑century Cistercian writers portrayed Jesus and the abbot as maternal figures. It analyzes Cistercian texts to identify maternal motifs attributed to Jesus and the abbot. The work highlights the spiritual contributions of 13th‑century women mystics, exemplified by the Nuns of Helfta. The book includes a preface, abbreviations, introduction, epilogue, appendix, and indexes.

Abstract

Preface Abbreviations Introduction I. The Spirituality of Regular Canons in the Twelfth Century II. The Cistercian Conception of Community III. Did the Twelfth Century Discover the Individual? IV. Jesus as Mother and Abbot as Mother: Some Themes in Twelfth-Century Cistercian Writing V. Women Mystics in the Thirteenth Century: The Case of the Nuns of Helfta Epilogue Appendix: Monastic and Canonical Treatises of Practical Spiritual Advice General Index Index of Secondary Authors