Contemplation and Compassion: The Victorine Tradition

Traditions of Christian Spirituality

by Steven Chase, Philip Sheldrake (Preface by)

The Victorine spiritual tradition, originating at the Abbey of St. Victor in Paris in the twelfth century, was one of the most creative, exciting and productive traditions of the middle ages. The Victorines brought together scholarship, mysticism, liturgy and aesthetics into a fruitful and comprehensive synthesis. In a way that makes them the forerunners of many strands in contemporary thinking, they showed how no aspect of life can be compartmentalized or isolated, because every aspect of our life and personality is sacred and interconnected. Steven Chase's study is the first comprehensive overview of this important spiritual tradition. He introduces the key Victorines and their writings, including Hugh of St. Victor and Richard of St. Victor, rediscovering a hidden treasure in the history of the Church with great potential to enrich and energize contemporary spirituality and prayer.

Genres: Spirituality

173 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003