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Record Number:
9986
Author(s)/Creator(s):
Delio , Ilia.
Contributor(s):
Title:
Clare of Assisi: Beauty and Transformation
Source:
Studies in Spirituality 12, ( 2002): Pages 68 - 81.
Description:
Article Type:
Journal Article
Subject
(See Also)
:
Beauty
Clare of Assisi, Saint- Letters
Love- Religious Aspects
Spiritual Poverty
Spirituality
Theology
Women in Religion
Award Note:
Geographic Area:
Italy
Century:
13
Primary Evidence:
Illustrations:
Table:
Abstract:
This paper explores the notion of beauty in the letters of Clare of Assisi. Examining her letters to Agnes of Prague reveals a development of the relationship between poverty, beauty, and spiritual transformation. Contemplating the beauty that appears in the wounded figure of the crucified Christ, Clare advises Agnes to pursue the path of poverty as a way of being conformed to Christ. Poverty makesroom for love, and love renders one beautiful. Clare's journey to God is a dynamic one. Her thoughts reflect those of Gregory of Nyssa, who claimed that spiritual transformation is a continual progression into the eternal embrace of God's love. Clare advises Agnes to continually study her face in the mirror of the cross, indicating that the journey into beauty is a perpetual growth in love. By seeing truth of herself in the mirror of the cross, Agnes is to attain true beauty. To become beautiful is to become like the beloved, self-giving in love. Although Clare does not speak of beauty outside her letters, her words imply that beauty also lies at the heart of community. The beauty of love that shines in the individual must radiate in the community of believers as well. Love is the form of Christian life. When the human person mirrors the love of Christ, then the beauty of God reigns in the world. 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).
Related Resources:
Author's Affiliation:
Washington Theological Union
Conference Info:
- , -
Year of Publication:
2002.
Language:
English
ISSN/ISBN:
09266453