Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 2625
  • Author(s)/Creator(s): Mueller , Joan.
  • Contributor(s):
  • Title: Agnes of Prague and the Rule of St. Clare
  • Source: Studies in Spirituality 13, ( 2003): Pages 155 - 167.
  • Description:
  • Article Type: Journal Article
  • Subject (See Also): Agnes of Prague, Saint Ecclesiastical Politics Gregory IX, Pope Innocent IV, Pope Monasticism Poor Clares Order Regula (Clare of Assisi, Saint) Spiritual Poverty Women in Religion
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: Eastern Europe;Italy
  • Century: 13
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  • Abstract: Trying to establish women's monasticism on firm foundations, Pope Gregory IX was eager to insure that monasteries of women were adequately endowed and juridically established according to the prescriptions of canon thirteen of the Fourth Lateran Council. To do this, Gregory IX needed the spiritual clout of Clare of Assisi, whose fame was published in Thomas of Celano's "First Life of Saint Francis." Clare of Assisi, however, wished only to live the "Privilege of Poverty" - meaning that her monastery would be left without endowment from landed possessions. In 1234, the Bohemian princess, Agnes of Prague, joined the Franciscan Order wishing to form her monastery according to the primitive Franciscan ideal. Taking Clare's side, Agnes used her political clout to influence the papacy and to negotiate a specifically Franciscan style of life for women that would eventually evolve into the Rule of Saint Clare. Reproduced with permission of the Titus Brandsma Institute (The Netherlands). Copies of "Studies in Spirituality" can be ordered from the publisher: Peeters Publishers, Bondgenotenlaan 153, B-3000 Louvain (www.peeters-leuven.be).
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  • Author's Affiliation: Creighton University
  • Conference Info: - , -
  • Year of Publication: 2003.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 09266453