“Conversion” and “Spiritual Leadership” in the Devotio Moderna
During the late Middle Ages the customary leadership in the church was strongly criticized. What makes a person in circles of “reform movements” in the late Middle Ages a leader in the church? To what extent figures “conversion” here? Has there been talk of another foundation and experience of the ecclesiastical office(s)? The inquiry focuses on Geert Grote (1340-1384), the founding father of the Devotio Moderna. The sources allow an understanding of the spiritual transformation of Geert Grote himself and of some of his votaries. After a period of spiritual forming (prayer, study, meditation) in retreat, he devoted himself since 1379 to public preaching focused on “conversion”. Many votaries, laymen as well as clergymen, decided to transform their lives according to the directives of Geert Grote. They tried to live the “common life” of the original Christian community. The ideal of the “common life” is to build the church (ad aedificationem ecclesiae). On the basis of a “spiritual biography” (biographie spirituelle) of Geert Grote we will catch sight of his spiritual leadership.
dr. T.H.M. Akerboom, Tilburg University (UvT)
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