|
Margaret “the Lame” of Magdeburg (1210–1250) was an anchoress of the St. Albans Church in Magdeburg. There she spent her days and years in total renunciation of the world in order to give honor to God. People believed she received visions from the Lord and her experiences were later documented in ''Vita Margaretae Contractae''. ==Early life and seclusion== Margaret was a deformed child, born in the urban society of Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, around the time of 1210. Magdeburg was a prosperous city situated on the Elbe River and the seat of an archbishopric. It is unknown what her ailment was but it is strongly suggested that she was born with it. Her family was relatively wealthy, but shunned Margaret and her deformation. She was often seen attending church with a blind servant in her early childhood. Spurned and mocked for her deformity both by her community and family, Margaret found companionship and solace in her relationship with God. She accepted their mockery saying, “Why do you stand around staring at us? You are merely seeing God’s martyrs. Don’t neglect your duties.” Margaret truly viewed herself as one of God’s martyrs and happily endured any suffering sent her way. In 1222, at age twelve Margaret chose to be cloistered as an anchoress to better worship the Lord. Margaret choose to become an anchoress during a time when the profession had hit its peak. The 12th and 13th centuries saw the highest number of women becoming anchoresses. Her mother helped arrange an anchorhold for her in St. Albans Church on Broadway near the Magdeburg Cathedral. Margaret did not choose the community life of a nun but the complete reclusive life devoted entirely to prayer to God. She was enclosed in a small cell in the church that had only two small windows. One faced the church and alter allowing her to partake in ceremonies. The other window is covered with dark cloth but allowed her to speak with those who came to her cell seeking advice. As an anchoress many people sought her out for advice. Sometime in her early enclosure she learned to read. Her ''Vita'' claims that she believed she was taught by Mary, the Mother of Christ. Her desire to go into the church was not to bring honor and privilege to her family but to give God what glory she felt he was due. She shunned the common practice of charity and showed her devotion through self-emaciation. People often came to her and shared their troubles. Margaret saw her purpose was to teach others about the tenants of Christianity and help their religious self-expression. Margaret’s message is that it is suffering and desolation, not sweetness or consolation that will bring you to God. She had the ear of many people who sympathized with her and viewed her as a saint. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Margaret (the Lame) of Magdeburg (ca. 1210-1250)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|