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Rance and the Trappist Legacy
151 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 8, 2015
A. J. Krailsheimer (d. 2001), who edited the 2 volumes of Abbé de Rancé's letters, has masterfully written exactly what the title of his book purports: an understanding of Rancé in his historical context, and his enduring legacy for the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance. I use the Order's official title (since 1902) because, ironically, Cistercian monks and others are loath, not only to accept & own Rancé as an affective reformer, but to even use the title most associated with them, "Trappists".
My own conclusion, after reading Vol. I of Rancé's letters (from 1647-1683), and now this book is that "The Thundering/Tempestuous Abbot", as Henri Bremond tagged him in 1929, has gotten a bad rap. He was, by his own admission, no saint either before or after he entered la Trappe. Nevertheless, the overall impression one gets of Rancé, if one is honest, is one of a very passionate man who had deep convictions about living life for God alone, who imbued his monks continuously in that spirit by word & example, and was willing to challenge anyone who didn't, more or less, agree with the way he suggested doing that. In addition, he was in practice a highly compassionate & balanced leader & pastor of souls who knew how to make allowances when necessary. Krailsheimer's description of the survival of the Trappists through & after the French Revolution (they were the ONLY Order in France to actually come through relatively intact) is rather breathtaking. There is still much unwritten about this era & this Order. I think history will ultimately treat Rancé much more judiciously.
My own conclusion, after reading Vol. I of Rancé's letters (from 1647-1683), and now this book is that "The Thundering/Tempestuous Abbot", as Henri Bremond tagged him in 1929, has gotten a bad rap. He was, by his own admission, no saint either before or after he entered la Trappe. Nevertheless, the overall impression one gets of Rancé, if one is honest, is one of a very passionate man who had deep convictions about living life for God alone, who imbued his monks continuously in that spirit by word & example, and was willing to challenge anyone who didn't, more or less, agree with the way he suggested doing that. In addition, he was in practice a highly compassionate & balanced leader & pastor of souls who knew how to make allowances when necessary. Krailsheimer's description of the survival of the Trappists through & after the French Revolution (they were the ONLY Order in France to actually come through relatively intact) is rather breathtaking. There is still much unwritten about this era & this Order. I think history will ultimately treat Rancé much more judiciously.
January 19, 2015
Another fine book on the life and impact on the Cistercian order of its austere abbot of La Trappe, Armand-Jean Rance. (The other book I really like is "Understanding Rance" by David Bell.) I especially liked the section on the aftermath of the Trappist reform and insight that can be gained from voluminous the letters of Rance, that tend to soften the strictness in Rance's personality.
For all who want to understand the most important inflection point in Cistercian history, this book is a brief but insightful gem.
For all who want to understand the most important inflection point in Cistercian history, this book is a brief but insightful gem.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews