Aelred was born in 1109 or 1110 in the north of England, probably in Hexam. Since he was both
the son of a Priest (some were married in those days) and of noble descent, he was sent to Durham to be educated. After his time there, David, King of Scotland invited him to his court to continue his education and be a companion to the young Prince Henry. King David and many members of the court highly esteemed Aelred, and felt his meekness was one of his most visible virtues. After some time, he was made Master of the Household of the King of Scotland, quite a post for such a young man. Success in the court of a king of this world did not satisfy Aelred's heart, and at the age of 24 he entered the Cistercian monastery at Rievaulx in Yorkshire.
Aelred was not a strong man, in fact it is known he was pretty weak, yet he determined to bear cheerfully greatest disciplines of the Cistercian Order. He spent much of his time in prayer, reading, and studying. His heart was so focused on the love of God that he said that it made him feel that all the Cistercian austerities were sweetness and light.
His abbot, William, was a disciple of St. Bernard, encouraged him to write his first work, The Mirror of Charity, which deals with seeking to follow the example of Christ in all things. In 1147 he was elected Abbot of Rievaulx, a post which he held until his death of kidney disease some twenty years later at the age of about 57.
His most famous work is called Spiritual Friendship. At this time many Christians felt that since Jesus had said that "All who do the will of my Father are my family." then the only kind of love permissible to a Christian is a type of universal love, no one attachment could be more important than any other. This was carried to the extent that in some Monasteries and Convents, where the monks or nuns walk two by two into chapel or the dining hall or while enjoying their daily hour of recreation, the Abbot keeps changing partners to stop anyone from forming a liking for one partner over another. Even food and drink was to be treated equally, with no preferences. Aelred wrote against this view, saying that it is quite compatible with the highest degree of Christian perfection to take special pleasure in the company of particular friends. He points out that in the Gospels, we are told that Jesus loved John, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, and some Apostles seemed to be part of an inner circle. This seems to point out that Jesus enjoyed their company more than that of others.
Towards the end of his life, ill-health forced Aelred to live in a small hut near the infirmary at Rievaulx. He could hardly travel anymore but once in a while was able to visit his friend, St. Godric, while he was traveling north to oversee the Scottish foundations of his Order. Aelred died on 12th January 1067 and was buried in the Chapter House at Rievaulx. Although, he was never formally canonized, a local following, approved by the Cistercians grew up around him, and he remains a popular English Saint.
Pour into our hearts, O God, the Holy Spirit's gift of love, that we, clasping each the other's hand, may share the joy of friendship, human and divine, and with Your servant Aelred draw many to Your community of love; through Jesus Christ the Righteous, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Comments