The role of Paupertas in shaping monastic identity of late antiquity (a case study of Visigothic Spain)
Abstract
The article utilizes Visigothic monastic rules (Regula Isidori, Regula Fructuosi, Regula Communis) to explore the multifaceted nature of paupertas. It argues against reducing paupertas to a single interpretation, as is often done in existing research literature with few exceptions. Initially, the article provides a general overview of the instructions related to renouncing and redistributing property upon entering the monastery, along with the corresponding norms of conduct within the monastic community. These norms strictly prohibit any display of possessiveness. Furthermore, the article highlights the reasoning employed by Visigothic monastic rules to justify the importance of voluntary poverty. The most explicit connection is made between renouncing property and the communal lifestyle of the monks, as well as their cultivation of humility. Voluntary poverty is seen as an indispensable prerequisite for the monastic community, as it fosters Love for God and neighbor, while simultaneously preventing the destructive forces of greed and envy. Similarly, humility is considered essential for the sustenance of the monastic community. The link between voluntary poverty and humility manifests in two distinct aspects. Firstly, as numerous studies indicate, poverty was feared in the Greco-Roman world, including the Christian era, due to the loss of social standing associated with it. The pauperes were often stigmatized and marginalized, sometimes equated with slaves. Likewise, examples from Visigothic hagiography suggest that monks may have faced similar treatment. Consequently, voluntary poverty, at least potentially, led to social alienation and humiliation, thereby aiding the monk's detachment from worldly concerns and facilitating the attainment of humility. Secondly, the concept of paupertas not only denoted one's marginalized status in society but also signified complete humility before God. By embracing the role of the pauper, the monk acknowledged their inherent human nature and fragility. This self-perception allowed the monk to shed previous social identities, ensuring equality and harmony within the monastic community. Consequently, voluntary poverty emerges as a pivotal metaphor for the monk's way of life and a crucial tool in shaping their monastic identity.
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