Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index


  • Record Number: 9989
  • Author(s)/Creator(s): Delio , Ilia.
  • Contributor(s):
  • Title: Mirrors and Footprints: Metaphors of Relationship in Clare of Assisi's Writings
  • Source: Studies in Spirituality 10, ( 2000): Pages 167 - 181.
  • Description:
  • Article Type: Journal Article
  • Subject (See Also): Agnes of Prague, Saint Bride of Christ, Image of Clare of Assisi, Saint- Letters Footprints, Image of Jesus Christ- Imitation of Mirror, Image of Mystics Spirituality Theology Women in Religion
  • Award Note:
  • Geographic Area: Italy
  • Century: 13
  • Primary Evidence:
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  • Abstract: Clare of Assisi desired to live an evangelical life but due to ecclesiastical restrictions was compelled to live enclosed at the convent of San Damiano. Despite her cloistered life, Clare developed an evangelical way of life suitable to her community. In her letters to Agnes of Prague, Clare articulates a theology of the imitation of Christ which she distinguishes from the following of Christ. Using the metaphors of mirror and footprint, she indicates that following Christ is to lead to imitation which is a transformation into the image of Christ Crucified. Such imitation should lead one to become an example of Christ for others. Following Christ, therefore, is decisively communal in that following Christ is not only an immediate interior relationship with Christ, but it is also a relationship with those who imitate Christ. Clare, therefore, develops the Pauline notion of imitation. In this respect, the gospel is preached not by work but in deed, in the imitator of Christ and in the Christic community. [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, Washington, D.C.;Delio@wtu.edu
  • Conference Info: - , -
  • Year of Publication: 2000.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN/ISBN: 09266453