Wisdom's Friends

Recent years have seen growing interest in medieval
women mystics and visionaries, including the
thirteenth century monastic theologian St. Gertrud
the Great of Helfta. But focus on their
dramatic spiritual experiences sometimes leads to
neglect of the equally impressive theological
sophistication of their writings. This book offers
a groundbreaking interpretation of Gertrud s
greatest surviving work, the Herald of God s
Loving-Kindness. The Herald combines her spiritual
autobiography with her biography and vision stories
shared with other nuns. Grimes
work demonstrates Gertrud s lively weaving of her
own experiences with Scripture, liturgy, and classic
theological works, especially Augustine s
Confessions. It validates the important
contribution of Gertrud s sister-collaborators to
the Herald, sometimes downgraded by
scholars. This is an excellent text for
graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in
Theology, History, and Women s Studies. It will be
of compelling interest not just to medievalists and
feminist theologians, but to all who are fascinated
by spirituality and the place of women in Christian
history and tradition.

Autorentext

Ph.D. Historical Theology, University of Notre Dame; Post-doctoral Fellowship, Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies; Catherine Mowry LaCugna Award from the Catholic Theological Society of America. Taught Religion, History, and Women's Studies at Rosemont College, University of Portland, and California State University at Fullerton.

Klappentext

Recent years have seen growing interest in medieval women mystics and visionaries, including the thirteenth century monastic theologian St. Gertrud the Great of Helfta. But focus on their dramatic spiritual experiences sometimes leads to neglect of the equally impressive theological sophistication of their writings. This book offers a groundbreaking interpretation of Gertrud's greatest surviving work, the Herald of God's Loving-Kindness. The Herald combines her spiritual autobiography with her biography and vision stories shared with other nuns. Grimes' work demonstrates Gertrud's lively weaving of her own experiences with Scripture, liturgy, and classic theological works, especially Augustine's Confessions. It validates the important contribution of Gertrud's sister-collaborators to the Herald, sometimes downgraded by scholars. This is an excellent text for graduate and advanced undergraduate courses in Theology, History, and Women's Studies. It will be of compelling interest not just to medievalists and feminist theologians, but to all who are fascinated by spirituality and the place of women in Christian history and tradition.