Mother of Mercy, Bane of the Jews

Devotion to the Virgin Mary in Anglo-Norman England

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Inspiration & Meditation, Devotionally, History, Medieval
Cover of the book Mother of Mercy, Bane of the Jews by Kati Ihnat, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Kati Ihnat ISBN: 9781400883660
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: October 25, 2016
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Kati Ihnat
ISBN: 9781400883660
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: October 25, 2016
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

Mother of Mercy, Bane of the Jews explores a key moment in the rise of the cult of the Virgin Mary and the way the Jews became central to her story. Benedictine monks in England at the turn of the twelfth century developed many innovative ways to venerate Mary as the most powerful saintly intercessor. They sought her mercy on a weekly and daily basis with extensive liturgical practices, commemorated additional moments of her life on special feast days, and praised her above all other human beings with new doctrines that claimed her Immaculate Conception and bodily Assumption. They also collected hundreds of stories about the miracles Mary performed for her followers in what became one of the most popular devotional literary genres of the Middle Ages.

In all these sources, but especially the miracle stories, the figure of the Jew appears in an important role as Mary's enemy. Drawing from theological and legendary traditions dating back to early Christianity, monks revived the idea that Jews violently opposed the virgin mother of God; the goal of the monks was to contrast the veneration they thought Mary deserved with the resistance of the Jews. Kati Ihnat argues that the imagined antagonism of the Jews toward Mary came to serve an essential purpose in encouraging Christian devotion to her as merciful mother and heavenly Queen.

Through an examination of miracles, sermons, liturgy, and theology, Mother of Mercy, Bane of the Jews reveals how English monks helped to establish an enduring rivalry between Mary and the Jews, in consolidating her as the most popular saint of the Middle Ages and in making devotion to her a foundational marker of Christian identity.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Mother of Mercy, Bane of the Jews explores a key moment in the rise of the cult of the Virgin Mary and the way the Jews became central to her story. Benedictine monks in England at the turn of the twelfth century developed many innovative ways to venerate Mary as the most powerful saintly intercessor. They sought her mercy on a weekly and daily basis with extensive liturgical practices, commemorated additional moments of her life on special feast days, and praised her above all other human beings with new doctrines that claimed her Immaculate Conception and bodily Assumption. They also collected hundreds of stories about the miracles Mary performed for her followers in what became one of the most popular devotional literary genres of the Middle Ages.

In all these sources, but especially the miracle stories, the figure of the Jew appears in an important role as Mary's enemy. Drawing from theological and legendary traditions dating back to early Christianity, monks revived the idea that Jews violently opposed the virgin mother of God; the goal of the monks was to contrast the veneration they thought Mary deserved with the resistance of the Jews. Kati Ihnat argues that the imagined antagonism of the Jews toward Mary came to serve an essential purpose in encouraging Christian devotion to her as merciful mother and heavenly Queen.

Through an examination of miracles, sermons, liturgy, and theology, Mother of Mercy, Bane of the Jews reveals how English monks helped to establish an enduring rivalry between Mary and the Jews, in consolidating her as the most popular saint of the Middle Ages and in making devotion to her a foundational marker of Christian identity.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book The Wisdom of Frugality by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book In Praise of Simple Physics by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book Art Rebels by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book Arbitrary Power by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book A Theory of Global Biodiversity (MPB-60) by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book Universities and Their Leadership by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book Religion and Democracy in the United States by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book Democratic Rights by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book Classical Mathematical Logic by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book The Tao of Architecture by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book Innovation and Its Discontents by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book Pericles of Athens by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book The Everett Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book Technology Differences over Space and Time by Kati Ihnat
Cover of the book Cultures in Motion by Kati Ihnat
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy