The Cistercian World: Monastic Writings of the Twelfth Century (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

by Various (Author), Pauline M. Matarasso (Translator) "The ruins of the great Cistercian houses that sprang up all over Europe in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries stand today as silent witnesses to..." (more)
Key Phrases: spiritual friendship, elected abbot, Holy Spirit, Brother William, William of St Thierry (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Founded in 1098 in Citeaux, France, the Cistercian Order sought a return to strict asceticism and a life of poverty. By the end of the 12th century, there were 530 Cistercian abbeys in Europe, and the abbot St. Bernard had become one of the most influential writers of the period. This book contains his letters, sermons, and other works, as well as biographies of other Cistercians.

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Latin

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (November 7, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140433562
• ISBN-13: 978-0140433562
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #694,948 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating and Delightful, August 12, 1999

By A Customer

This is a brilliant and much needed book. It contains short (several page) extracts from all the great Cistercian writers (Bernard, Aelred, Gueric), which Pauline Matarasso has beautifully translated.

The book has two great strengths.

1. The best bits of these great authors have been chosen so that the reader receives a taste of their wisdom without being drownwed in thick theological tomes.

2. The subject matter is fascinating, ranging from monastery tales, even at the time of St Bernard, throught contemporary biographies of great men like Aelred of Reivaulx, to a beautiful description of Clairvaux.

This book was a joy and I thoroughly recommend it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Wiping away the rheum of prolonged sleep...", January 3, 2008

By	Kerry Walters (Lewisburg, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Whenever I feel in need of a spiritual tonic, I return to this exquisite collection of writings from 12th century Cistercians. It never fails, to use the words of William of St. Thierry, one of the authors collected in it, to "wipe away the rheum of prolonged sleep."

Most of us think of medieval theology in terms of scholasticism, the method of the schools or academies (hence its name) brought to its finest point by Thomas Aquinas. Scholasticism sought to apply the logic of Aristotle to theological issues. It is rigorous, consistent, sometimes brilliant, and typically dry as dust.

But predating scholasticism, and exemplified by the 12th century Cistercians, was monastic theology, which adopted a meditative, prayerful, poetic approach. The monastic theologicans were more mystics than philosophers, more interested in wisdom than Aristotle, allegories than syllogisms, scripture than schools. The greatest among them are represented in this collection: Bernard of Clairvaux, William of St. Thierry, Guerric of Igny, Aelred of Rievaulx, Isaac of Stella (my personal favorite!), Gilbert of Hoyland, John of Ford, Adam of Perseigne, and Stephen Harding.

Reading these men is like savoring an exquisite taste. Here's a small sampling to whet your appetite:

--Bernard of Clairvaux:
"It is a cruel mercy that kills the soul while cherishing the body." (p. 48) and "You will find that it is a hoe, not a sceptre, that you want for doing a prophet's work." (p. 88)

--William of St. Thierry (speaking of God): "Sometimes I hear the voice fo your spirit, a passing whisper like the faintest breeze, and I understand it to say, 'Come to him and you will be illumined.' I hear and I am roused from my torpor." (p. 112)

--Aelred of Rievalux (from his marvelous treatise on friendship): "Some men perversely, not to say impudently, want their friends to be what they are incapable of being themselves. They are the sort who are intolerant of the slightest faults in their friends, criticize them fiercely and, with a sad want of discretion, neglect important things while making an issue of details." (pp. 183-84)

--Gilbert of Hoyland: "He who cleaves to God will become one spirit with Him." (p. 219)

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars monastic reform, August 5, 2001

By	Michael Stewart (Gold coast Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book introduces the reader, through the exploration of multiple primary sources,to the twelfth century rise of the Cistercians. It provides a wonderfull look into the mind of these dynamic individuals who attempted to escape from the increasingly complex world of twelfth-century Western Europe and create an internal relationship with God through the external bond of mutual friendship.