The Rule of Benedict in the twenty-first century December 2, 2008
Posted by gesta in Medieval, faith.Tags: Advent, Bec, Benedictine rule, monasticism, Pugin, Stanbrook Abbey
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It is the beginning of Advent, the church’s season of preparation for the coming of Christ, and yesterday I read an article in the Guardian which really reflects the spirit of the season as well as speaking to my own research into monasticism. (more…)
New experiences: faith informs work and vice versa November 7, 2008
Posted by gesta in Boundaries, Medieval, faith.Tags: Anglican, faith, monasticism
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Having been giving conference and seminar papers for the past eight years, I am very used to speaking in front of an academic audience or at least an audience already very interested in medieval history. For the first time ever though, I gave a non-academic talk a couple of weekends ago on women and the religious life in the middle ages. What made this more interesting was that the talk was in place of a sermon at choral evensong at my local church. I was, as one might expect, very nervous, especially as there were two history professors in the congregation: how would they react to a paper on an academic subject treated in an essentially non-academic way?
The experience was strangely liberating. Part of my interest in the religious life, especially concerning how religious and laity interacts, stems from my upbringing as a daughter of the parsonage. Equally, my historical interest in the Church allows me to take a longer view and broader perspective of some of issues confronting the good old CofE currently from sexuality to the more mundane concerns of the place of pews in church. For the first time I could blur the boundaries a little and bring these two aspects of life together, making points I couldn’t get away with in an academic paper and coming to a greater understanding of how faith influences my work and vice versa. (more…)
What the well dressed Anglican Christmas tree will be wearing this year March 22, 2008
Posted by gesta in faith.Tags: Anglican, Canterbury, York
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During my recent meanderings around the North (enjoying being cold and away from southerners), I came across the ultimate in Anglican religious kitsch in the York Minster shop. Despite the fact that it is Holy Saturday today and so manifestly not time for thinking about Christmas, I couldn’t resist posting about this, so here you go, Rowan Williams and John Sentamu tree decorations.
Into Great Silence March 15, 2008
Posted by gesta in Boundaries, Debate, faith.Tags: Carthusians, La Grande Chartreuse, monasticism, Paul Groening
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I was sitting in a lecture theatre watching a man praying. For about four minutes nothing else happened, just the silent contemplation and measured movement of a Carthusian about his vocation. There was a murmur from other members of the audience: this wasn’t what they were expecting, a feeling of discomfort and unease. My companions and I though were utterly absorbed. (more…)
Murder in the cloister August 17, 2007
Posted by gesta in Boundaries, Medieval, faith.Tags: Boundaries, Greek nuns, monasticism, Orderic Vitalis, Romsey abbey, violence
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It could be straight from the pages of my favourite chronicler, Orderic Vitalis. Two nuns in Greece have been murdered for their monastery’s treasure. This week, the team rector of Southampton city centre parish who also happens to be the chaplain of Southampton United Football Club was attacked by one of the Saints’ fans. (more…)
Hapus Dewi Sant March 1, 2007
Posted by gesta in faith.1 comment so far
Today is St David’s day, the patron saint of Wales. I shall be wearing my leek (a felt one!) with pride. No one knows why the Welsh wear leeks on St David’s day. The saint himself is usually represented standing on a mound with a dove on his shoulder. In that respect, a leek is less messy.
St David’s reputed last words were ‘Be joyful, bothers and sisters. Keep the faith and do the little things you have heard and seen me do’. He was a wise man: it’s the little things that make the difference.
Dewi Sant gweddia drosom ni.
Advent December 3, 2006
Posted by gesta in faith.add a comment
Advent is here: a time of preparation and of reflection, which traditionally marks the beginning on the church’s year. I look forward to Advent every year, not because Christmas is at the end of it, but because I like the season itself. There is a tremendous sense of purpose about it that is lacking in the seemingly unending Sundays after Trinity. The church is getting ready to welcome Christ on earth and there is work to be done. (more…)
Veiled faces and boundaries October 6, 2006
Posted by gesta in Boundaries, Politics, faith.add a comment
It will not have escaped the notice of many people in the UK that a might furore is going on about some comments Jack Straw has made about Muslim women who veil their faces. He has spoken out to say he feels uncomfortable holding a discussion with a woman who covers her face and would prefer it if they didn’t. As a result, he’s been accused of Islamaphobia, praised by others who think likewise and found himself allied with some very strange people indeed (possibly given credence to racist ideologies). (more…)
The sacred and profane June 30, 2006
Posted by gesta in Debate, faith.4 comments
One of the main dichotomies I wrestle with in my work is that of the sacred vs the profane: temporal authority vs spiritual. More often than not, the dichotomy is shown up, if not to be false, then not really meaningful. Recently, both through my teaching and through reading other comment and blog sites, I have begun looking at this dichotomy afresh in terms of modern British society, or to put it another way, are we living in such a secularized or individualistic society, that there is no place to seek understanding of or tolerance of faith or ideologies in society? (more…)
