Forgetful of their sex

By Jane Tibbetts Schulenburg

Book Description

Through the lens of over 2,200 saints from the early medieval period, this groundbreaking study reveals how spiritual authority and gender intersected in ways that continue to resonate today. Jane Tibbetts Schulenberg examines the lives of holy women and men between 500 and 1100 CE, uncovering patterns that illuminate both ancient spiritual practices and enduring questions about feminine sacred power.

The research exposes a striking asymmetry in how female and male saints were recognized and celebrated, with certain eras showing particularly pronounced disparities. What emerges is a complex portrait of women who often challenged established religious hierarchies through what their contemporaries viewed as extraordinary or transgressive behavior. These spiritual pioneers navigated the tensions between conformity and authentic expression in their pursuit of the divine.

Beyond documenting institutional patterns, this work opens windows into the intimate spiritual lives of medieval seekers. The saint narratives reveal the profound bonds of family and friendship that sustained these individuals, while illuminating the collective spiritual consciousness of their time. Factors such as family influence, monastic life, celibacy, motherhood, and longevity all played roles in shaping reputations for holiness.

For contemporary readers exploring questions of spiritual authenticity, gender, and religious authority, these ancient stories offer unexpected wisdom. The book demonstrates how individuals throughout history have wrestled with similar challenges in balancing personal spiritual calling with societal expectations, making their journeys remarkably relevant to modern seekers.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~16 hours)

🕉️ Tradition: Christianity

📄 Length: 587 pages

What You'll Discover

✓ Explore Hagiographie
✓ Explore Femmes dans le christianisme
✓ Explore Religious aspects of Virginity
✓ Explore Virginity
✓ Explore Sex, religious aspects, christianity
✓ Explore Femmes
✓ Explore Virginity, religious aspects
✓ Explore Religious aspects of Celibacy

Topics Covered

Hagiographie Femmes dans le christianisme Religious aspects of Virginity Virginity Sex, religious aspects, christianity Femmes Virginity, religious aspects Religious aspects of Celibacy Histoire Christianity Middle Ages Heiligen Women, history, middle ages, 500-1500 Women saints Early church Célibat Vrouwen Religious aspects Sex Virginité Célibat ecclésiastique Celibacy Religious aspects of Sex Aspect religieux Women in Christianity Christianisme Sexualité Monachisme et ordres religieux chrétiens féminins Religieuses History