A Companion to William of Saint-Thierry provides eight new studies on this noted twelfth-century Cistercian writer by some of the most prolific English-language William scholars from North America and Europe and is structured around William’s life, thought, and influence.
A Benedictine abbot who became a Cistercian monk, William of Saint-Thierry (c. 1085-1148) lived through the first half of the twelfth century, a time of significant reform within western Christian monasticism. Although William was directly involved in these reforming efforts while at the Benedictine abbey of Saint-Thierry, his lasting legacy in Christian tradition comes through his written works, many as a Cistercian monk, that showcase his keen intellect, creative thinking, and at times profound insight for spiritual life and its fulfilment.
Contributors: David N. Bell, Thomas X. Davis, E. Rozanne Elder, Brian Patrick McGuire, Glenn E. Myers, Nathaniel Peters, Aage Rydstrøm-Poulsen, and F. Tyler Sergent.
F. Tyler Sergent, Ph.D. (2009), Roskilde Universitet, is Assistant Professor of History and General Studies at Berea College, USA. He has published articles and edited works on William of Saint-Thierry, including Unity of Spirit: Studies on William of Saint-Thierry (Cistercian, 2015), and is currently working on an English translation of William’s De sacramento altaris for Cistercian Publications.
"The focus of this volume is on William of Saint-Thierry's theology and spirituality. For readers looking for an introduction to William's thought, this is a very good place to begin."
Jay Diehl, Long Island University in The Medieval Review, 2020
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Notes On Contributors
Introduction F. Tyler Sergent
1 A Chronology and Biography of William of Saint-Thierry Brian Patrick McGuire
2 William of Saint-Thierry’s Sources and Influences: Ratio Fidei and Fruitio F. Tyler Sergent
3 The Mystical Theology and Theological Mysticism of William of Saint-Thierry David N. Bell
4 William of Saint-Thierry on the Soul Aage Rydstrøm-Poulsen
5 William of Saint-Thierry and the Renewal of the Whole ‘Man’ E. Rozanne Elder
6 The Trinity’s Glorifying Embrace: Concientia in William of Saint-Thierry Thomas X. Davis, ocso
7 The Eucharistic Theology of William of Saint-Thierry Nathaniel Peters
8 William of Saint-Thierry’s Legacy: Progress toward Trinitarian Participation in the Unio Mystica in Johannes Tauler’s Sermons Glenn E. Myers
Bibliography
Works of William of Saint-Thierry: Latin Editions and Recent Translations
Works Cited: Ancient, Medieval, Modern
Index
Those interested in twelfth-century intellectual history, monastic theology & spirituality, and in particularly early Cistercian thought, and influence. Keywords: William of Saint-Thierry, Cistercian, history, spirituality, reform, Eucharist, mysticism, union, theology, soul, Trinity, image, likeness, enlightenment.