Intercessory Prayer and the Monastic Ideal in the Time of the Carolingian Reforms
Renie S. Choy
Abstract In early medieval Europe, monasticism constituted a significant force in society because the prayers of religious on behalf others featured as powerful currency. The study this phenomenon is at once full potential and peril, rightly drawing attention to wider social involvement an otherwise exclusive group, but also describing community terms its service provision. Previous scholarship has focused supply demand prayer within economy power, patronage, gift exchange; volume first explain how transactional dimension factored into monastic spirituality. Choy’s uncovers relationship between intercessory function monasteries ascetic concern for moral conversion minds prominent leaders active c.750–820. Through sustained analysis devotional thought Benedict Aniane contemporaneous reformers during reigns Charlemagne Louis Pious, contributes key topics Carolingian monasticism: liturgical organization performances Mass Divine Office, theology, relationships communities with world outside. Arguing that showed new interest intersection interiority functional relationships, reveals ideal undergirding provision by monasteries.