Saints and Sinners in Early Christian Ireland: Moral Theology in the Lives of Saints Brigit and Columba

by Katja Ritari

Overview

In this volume, Katja Ritari shows how a theological reading of hagiography works towards gaining a fuller understanding of the complexity of issues that can be addressed in a hagiographical narrative and of the aims of the medieval authors. The three texts examined in this study belong to the earliest stratum of hagiographical writing in Ireland and thus provide evidence of the formation of an Irish Christian society. This work presents a fresh look at the earliest Lives of saints Brigit and Columba concentrating on moral theology through the image of an ideal Christian and his or her antithesis. In hagiography, the saint is presented as the paragon of perfect Christian behaviour, but the moral message concerning ideal Christian living can also be conveyed through the minor characters which populate the Lives as companions of the saint, and as witnesses and receivers of the effects of his or her miracles. This study is groundbreaking because it turns attention towards the portrayal of these characters, especially towards the lay people whose role in hagiography has thus far been neglected in scholarly studies. The topic of this study- a good Christian life- is a fundamental spiritual and theological question that has relevance to all Christians. It is a central question to the formation of a Christian identity and its soteriological significance makes it a focal theological issue.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9782503533155
Publisher:	Brepols Publishers
Publication date:	02/26/2010
Series:	Studia Traditionis Theologiae Series , #3
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Katja Ritari is a postdoctoral researcher at the department of World Cultures, Study of Religions, University of Helsinki. She holds a Ph D from University College Cork, Ireland.

Table of Contents

List of Tables IX

Abbreviations XI

Acknowledgements XIII

1 Introduction: Model Christians and Hagiography 1

1.A Questions of Research and Goals of Study 1

1.B Hagiography and Theology 7

1.C The Characters in the Lives 10

1.D The Sources 17

2 Holiness as Perfect Christian Life 29

2.A Miracles of Heavenly Apparitions 30

2.A.1 Witnesses and Types of Apparitions 31

2.A.2 The Manner of Witnessing 36

2.A.3 Other Aspects of Superhuman Seeing 39

2.B Heavenly Life on Earth 44

2.B.1 Contemplation 45

2.B.2 Heavenly Joy and Harmony 47

2.B.3 Bodily Integrity 49

2.B.4 Foretaste of Heavenly Perfection 51

2.B.5 Harmony with Nature 53

2.B.6 Imperfection of Earthly Life 54

2.B.7 Death of a Saint as a Birth to True Life 56

2.C Conclusions 58

3 Virtues of Good Christians 60

3.A Virtues of Saints 62

3.A.1 Charity and Compassion 62

3.A.2 Humility 66

3.B Virtues of Ecclesiastics 67

3.B.1 Prudence and. Wisdom 68

3.B.2 Obedience 69

3.B.3 Love and Respect 70

3.C Virtues of Laymen 71

3.C.1 Prudence, Wisdom, Humility, and Faith 71

3.C.2 Generosity and Charity 73

3.D Virtues of Women 79

3.D.1 Roles of Women in the Lives 81

3.D.2 Groups of Women and Their Virtues 88

The Right Role of a Wife 88

Virtuous Virgins 92

Religious Lay Women 95

Pious Widows 96

Categories of Women and Sexuality 97

Young Women and Sexuality 98

3.E Conclusions 99

4 Antithesis of Good Christian Life 103

4.A Vices of Ecclesiastics 104

4.A.1 Disrespect Towards the Saint 104

4.A.2 Impurity 105

4.A.3 Hiding Sins 105

4.A.4 Valuing Property 106

4.A.5 Disobedience and Pride 107

4.B Vices of Laymen 109

4.B.1 Disrespect Towards the Saint 109

4.B.2 Pride 111

4.B.3 Brigandage 114

4.B.4 Sexual Sins 121

4.B.5 Incest, Fratricide and Parricide 123

4.B.6 Stealing 124

4.C Vices of Women 126

4.C.1 Disrespect Towards the Saint 127

4.C.2 Insubordination 128

4.C.3 Sexual Sins 131

4.D Conclusions 134

5 Consequences of Actions in This Life 136

5.A Penance 137

5.B Punishments 140

5.B.1 Ecclesiastics 140

5.B.2 Laity 143

5.C Conclusions 146

6 Posthumous Consequences of Actions 148

6.A Good and Bad Deaths 148

6.B Heaven and Hell 152

6.B.1 Souls Taken to Heaven 152

6.B.2 Souls Taken to Hell 156

6.B.3 Adomnán's Vision of the Destinies of Souls 158

6.B.4 Heaven and Hell in the Brigidine Lives 167

6.C Conclusions 171

7 How to Be a Good Christian 173

Bibliography 183

Indices 203