Rites of passage and pastoral care
Sarah Hamilton
It is probably true to say that medieval churchmen in the period 900–1200 displayed rather more interest delivery of pastoral care than modern historians have done until very recently. Dismissed as routine, has been overlooked favour dramatic transformations unfolding monasticism, saints' cults and crusades course these three centuries. Yet mundane business cure souls lay at heart all Christians' experience Church which they belonged. Giles Constable defined ‘the performance those ceremonies were central salvation individual Christian primary responsibility ordained priests working [local] churches’: Mass, baptism, penance, last rites burial dead, fundamental life, cura animarum. This chapter will focus mainly on for entry into, exit from, life earthly community. The evidence ranges from prescriptive laws, aspirational liturgical rites, model sermons other texts physical remnants buildings, ecclesiastical furnishings interments. Whilst much textual work second-generation reformers late tenth century first decades eleventh century, led by Ælfric Wulfstan I, archbishop York bishop Worcester, there sufficient testimony, especially when combined with material evidence, suggest was important both laymen throughout this period.
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