Course Description
This course will consider the development of Christian spirituality from the beginnings of monasticism to the eve of the Reformation, relating distinctive ways of praying with significant spiritualities in the context of their historical emergence in the life of the Church. Special emphasis will be given to St Benedict, St Bernard and other monastic teachers of east and west, and to the mendicant movement led by St Francis and St Dominic. These spiritualities will be considered also in terms of their relevance for the life of the Church today.
Bibliography
AUMANN, Christian Spirituality and the Catholic Tradition, Sheed and Ward, London, 1985.
S. DeGREGORIO, Guide to On-Line Resources in Medieval Spirituality: http://bede.net/bede/spiritual.html$1.
J. LECLERCQ, The Love of Learning and the Desire for God: A Study of Monastic Culture Fordham University Press, New York, 1974 / SPCK, London, 1978$1.
B. McGINN, The Presence of God: A History of Western Christian Mysticism Crossroad Publishing, Chestnut Ridge NY – Volume 1: The Foundations of Mysticism: Origins to the Fifth Century (1991) and Volume 2: Growth of Mysticism: From Gregory the Great through the 12th Century (1994).
P. SHELDRAKE, editor, The New SCM Dictionary of Christian Spirituality SCM Press, London, 2005.