Handmaid of the Lord - (Cistercian Studies) Annotated by David N Bell & Armand-Jean de Rancé (Paperback)
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<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>"An exploration of what Cistercian writers and preachers have said about Mary from the time of the founding fathers of the Order to Armand-Jean de Rancâe"--<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><p>In this book, David N. Bell explores what Cistercian writers and preachers have said about Mary from the time of the founding fathers of the Order to Armand-Jean de Rancé, who introduced the Cistercian Strict Observance and who died in 1700. </p><p>This work is divided into three parts. The first part presents some selective background material on Mary that is necessary for understanding where the Cistercian writers are coming from and the sources and ideas they are using. The next eight chapters, the second part of the book, examine the Marian ideas of Cistercian writers from Bernard of Clairvaux to a number of visionaries, both male and female, who take us to the very end of the thirteenth century. There is then a gap of more than three centuries--the reasons are given at the end of chapter 12--before we arrive at the birth of Armand-Jean de Rancé in 1626. The final chapters--part 3 of the book--summarize the life of Rancé, examine the place of Mary at La Trappe, and present annotated translations of Rancé's five conferences for three Marian feasts: the Nativity of Mary, the Annunciation, and the Assumption. </p><p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br><p>"Another delightful book from David Bell's prolific pen, permeated by his seemingly effortless erudition and comprehensive knowledge of Cistercian authors - both the figureheads and those who are more obscure." <br><b>Mette Birkedal Bruun, Professor of Church History, University of Copenhagen</b></p><br><br>"David Bell has the enviable talent of making obscure subjects not only interesting but fascinating. He ferrets out detail and anecdote to bring what we might otherwise think of as staid characters or situations to startling life, in all their living, breathing contradictions. In <i>Handmaid of the Lord</i> he excavates for us the place of Mary in the Cistercian tradition, touching on not only the well-known in Bernard of Clairvaux, but also the neglected, such as Stephen of Sawley and Ogier of Locedio, leading us finally to the surprising reverence given to Mary at La Trappe under the putatively stern Abbot Rancé. Bell's wit, sometimes caustic, and his erudition shine out of every page. This book will be indispensable for anyone interested in Mary's role among the Cistercians, but also in the church at large. A thoroughly enjoyable read." <br><b>Fr. Lawrence Morey, OCSO</b><br><br>"In this book, David Bell offers his characteristic erudition in an accessible and engaging way, leading us from the life of Mary of Nazareth to her enshrinement as model of humility and monastic life in the thought of Armand-Jean de Rancé, leader of the monastic reform at la Trappe. This journey takes an extended sojourn among the Cistercians of the 12th and 13th centuries, correcting misperceptions and putting fine detail on the common generalizations about the flourishing devotion to Mary in these centuries. And like a suspense story, the conflicts about the Immaculate Conception and other Marian controversies are recounted with verve. Concluding with his new translations of Rancé's conferences on Marian feasts, David Bell provides a magisterial work that can serve as a reference point for any of the many subjects covered here." <br><b>Anne L. Clark, Professor of Religion, University of Vermont</b><br><p/><br></br><p><b> About the Author </b></p></br></br>David N. Bell is professor emeritus of religious studies at Memorial University and a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He retired as head of the department of religious studies at the end of 2011. He has published some two dozen books, more than a hundred articles, and a great number of book reviews. His most recent book, published in 2017, is <i>A Saint in the Sun: Praising Saint Bernard in the France of Louis XIV</i> (Cistercian Publications).
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