The feast of Aelred has new meaning since becoming a Postulant in the Br. of St. Gregory. My minister provincial is Br. Aelred, and a wonderful man, who consistently shows the way of Christ to me and challenges my status quo. This has increased my interest in this Saint.
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.
In spite of the weakness of
his physical body, Aelred 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 tha 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. Some Monks still take Aelred as a religious name, in fact I know one, Prior Aelred of St. Gregory's in Three Rivers, MI.
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 1167 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.
*Many of the words and ideas above are from various sources around the web, not all my own.
I went ahead and ordered a copy today. I need/enjoy the the rigor and call to obedience that Thomas a Kempis provides, yet being out here in the wilds of Montana and not having any other clergy near by I find myself also needing someone to speak to me of the love of God. Sounds like your friend Aelred might just do that. Thanks.
Posted by: Fr. John | January 15, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Fr. John.
I have never considered it for daily devotion, but think it is a great idea.
Posted by: Monk-in-Training | January 15, 2009 at 05:16 AM
Hello Brother...
Question for you this morning. Would you consider The Mirror of Charity similar to Imitation of Christ? Have not heard of it before and am curious if it is good for daily instruction/devotional.
Blessings,
John+
Posted by: Fr. John | January 14, 2009 at 07:33 AM