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The Cistercian World: Monastic Writings of the Twelfth Century

Pauline Matarasso (Editor & Translator),

Bernard of Clairvaux,

William of Saint-Thierry,

Guerric of Igny,

Amedeus of Lausanne,

Aelred of Rievaulx,

Isaac of Stella,

Gilbert of Hoyland,

more…

4.08 · Rating details · 39 ratings · 8 reviews

The Cistercian Order was born in Burgundy at the start of the twelfth century as a movement of radical renewal - an Order that survives to this day with the greater part of its written heritage preserved. This volume brings together a selection of its finest works, which speak powerfully across the centuries to modern readers. Writings by St Bernard of Clairvaux (c. 1090-1 ...more

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Paperback, 352 pages

Published April 29th 1993 by Penguin Classics

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Jul 27, 2019 Snuggly Books rated it did not like it

The Cistercian World was RUBBISH!!! St Bernard of Clairvaux overrated af

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Jan 21, 2019 Jeremy Manuel rated it liked it

Shelves: christianity, history

This is a collection of monastic writings centered around those who were part or associated with the Cistercian order. The most well known figure present in this book for many is Bernard of Clairvaux, but there are a number of other pieces by lesser known authors. Overall, I liked the book in some ways, but I can't say it was a very enjoyable or even a transformative work.

I have read a good portion of Bernard of Clairvaux's work before and haven't really enjoyed him that much, but I was pleasant ...more

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Dec 06, 2019 J Grimsey rated it it was amazing

An interesting book. It discussion on love and friendship in all male monasteries and even between monks and nuns is fascinating. I found it hard to connect it with the outside world but I suppose that is the point. As an Anglican Christian and a sceptic I found it more convincing than some Hagiographies I have read

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Feb 28, 2016 Matthew rated it it was amazing

Shelves: medieval

This was my Lent reading for 2016. It is the second Penguin Classic translated by Pauline Matarasso that I’ve read, the first having been her superb The Quest of the Holy Grail. This volume is an excellent anthology in readable English of selections from some of the most important figures in the twelfth-century Cistercian movement. It moves chronologically from the founding of the abbey at Cîteaux to the close of the century.

Matarasso gives a handy introduction to the origins of the Cistercians This was my Lent reading for 2016. It is the second Penguin Classic translated by Pauline Matarasso that I’ve read, the first having been her superb The Quest of the Holy Grail. This volume is an excellent anthology in readable English of selections from some of the most important figures in the twelfth-century Cistercian movement. It moves chronologically from the founding of the abbey at Cîteaux to the close of the century.

Matarasso gives a handy introduction to the origins of the Cistercians and their move away from some of the decadence of contemporary Benedictine abbeys, especially many associated with Cluny. Cistercians sought to return to the original letter and spirit of the Rule of St Benedict. Cistercian spirituality is a spirituality based on simplicity of life, dress, manners, art, architecture. It is based upon Scripture and the Fathers, and Cistercians sought through their patristic, scriptural simplicity, to attain union with God through contemplative prayer in the midst of the opus dei, the liturgy of hours. To further assist the reader in interpretation, each text has its own introduction, and there are endnotes.

Cistercians included in this volume are Stephen Harding, Bernard of Clairvaux, William of St Thierry, Guerric of Igny, Amedeus of Lausanne, Aelred of Rievaulx, Isaac of Stella, Gilbert of Hoyland, John of Ford, and Adam of Perseigne, as well as an anonymous description of the abbey and selections of exemplary stories about Bernard and other early Cistercians.

These men are aware of their own finitude in the face of the transcendent God. However, equipped with love, with the Scriptures, and with the power of prayer, they set out to clarify their knowledge of the divine and enter into God’s loving embrace, encountering the bridegroom of the human soul.

Some of St Bernard’s Sermons on the Song of Songs are included here, and they are mightily inspiring, reminding us of the different kinds of love and how we can fulfil the commands. Also inspiring for me were the Meditations of William of St Thierry, who demonstrates the heart of the contemplative. Aelred of Rievaulx’s On Spiritual Friendship is important for us to think over as we live in relationship with others—what sort of friendship is to be cultivated, and how to use friendship to attain spiritual heights.

This is the sort of book that makes you want to pray more and engage in ascetic endeavour. I am a most imperfect example of someone who fulfils that desire, however. Nonetheless, I have copied out some of the passages of the book for private meditation and hope to reread the whole anthology again someday in order to further deepen the grace God gives through his servants. Finally, I would urge anyone interested in the Christian mystical tradition to read this book and see what our forebears in the faith said, thought, and did, and also to be reminded (if you know of the eastern tradition) of the silent ecumenism that links mysticism across time and space and ecclesial boundaries. ...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Elizabeth marked it as to-read

Shelves: history, nytimes, religion

As seen in the New York Times .

Thanks to Stan Lemberg for calling this article to my attention. ...more

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Aug 04, 2009 Itai rated it it was amazing

I found this at Powell's Books tonight for $8.50 (brand spankin' new!). The Cistercian writers included are:
Bernard of Lairvaux
William of St. Thierry
Guerric of Igny
Amedeus of Lausanne
Aelred of Rievaulx
Isaac of Stella
Gilbert of Hoyland
John of Ford
Adam of Perseign ...more

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Apr 20, 2015 J.W.D. Nicolello rated it it was amazing

An incredibly valuable resource for my works in progress, found by accident in O Beloved Housing Works, Crosby St, NYC. We shall be together again soon.

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