The Miracles of St. Ursmer on His Journey through Flanders
Geoffrey Koziol
It was one thing for western European kingdoms to adopt Christianity as a sort of totemic religion. That they had done, the most part, during sixth and seventh centuries. something entirely different Europeans become deeply profoundly Christian. Even Charlemagne understood this, calling on his bishops in 811 ask themselves, “Are we really Christians?” fully expecting answer be no. Recognizing this difference between conversio conversatio (adherence articles faith opposed living moral life), Carolingian councils devoted great deal attention interface Church people, demanding repeatedly that tour their dioceses, examine parish priests knowledge faith, devote funds building maintaining local churches, require parents know Creed essential prayers teach children what knew. But hundred, even hundred fifty, years later, there is no evidence much been achieved. Confronted with recurring invasions from Vikings, Moslems, Magyars constant civil war, leaders enough trouble simply status quo. Beginning second half tenth century, however, especially France after 990s, things began change. For first time, society seemed becoming Christian, or at least concerned it wasn’t. And time concern not limited emperors. Now came ordinary men women small towns villages. lay longer priest. monastery. if early eleventh centuries done nothing else, created reformed hundreds new monasteries, each monastery turn creating taking over sometimes staffing them monks, more often whose appointment training itself guaranteed. When, therefore, sees signs renewed Christian fervor among laity almost always channeled through monasteries.
Routledge eBooks