Saints Lives in the Moissac Cloister - Research Paper Example

Life in Moissac There is a commune that is located at the southern area of France. This place is well-known for the artistic legacy that has been preserved throughout the ages. This commune is commonly known as the Moissac commune. A commune as defined as the most basic governmental district in a number of countries which is more common in Europe (Merriam-Webster). A cloister is a rectangular open space surrounded by covered walks or open galleries. The Abbaye St-Pierre de Moissac or the Saint Peter’s Abbey in Moissac has been noted not just for the works of arts that are engulfed within its walls but also for the stories behind these masterpieces. The abbey itself has several versions as to who was its founder. However, it is known that it was founded during the middle of the 7th century (Fletcher). Even though the abbey has witnessed numerous events and tragedies around it, there are still portions that have withstood the test of time. Its walls are the storytellers of what transpired from the time it had been built to the time the abbey was engulfed by flames and up to the present. There are sculptures that will speak about the beliefs of people during that era or what was foreseen. A catch though is that the original art pieces that are seen at present at the St. Peter’s Abbey in Moissac are the same pieces that have been displayed there during the times of its foundation. As the story books tell, there were two names that popped as to who founded the abbey in Moissac. One of the names was Desiderius of Cahors who later became Saint Desiderius of Cahors. Then Bishop of Cahors, St. Desiderius administrated the monastery under the diocese of Cahors (NewAdvent.Org; Schapiro and Finn 253). Before the 7th century ended, the possessions and resources of the abbey grew vastly. The construction of the abbey has been changed by the raids that it encountered during the building period. It is not just the abbey that were destroyed or damaged during these invasions. Several buildings from this era have also been destroyed (Brabbs 41). Louis the Debonnaire aided the reconstruction of the fallen Abbey church. However, it seemed like history just repeated itself when the same ruthlessness that the church experienced during the late 10th century occurred again but this time from the hands of Huns and Normans. What remained of the original abbey after the invasions was destroyed during the later periods of the first century. The original roof casing of the church collapsed in 1030. The remains of the original church after the collapse were extinguished in 1042 in a fire tragedy (Fletcher, Schapiro and Finn 253). With invasions happening almost continuously, the life that used to be filled with wealth and royalty has turned to a life filled with violence and purloining. Aymeric de Peyrac described Moissac as a “robber’s cave.” This transpired when the abbot of Cluny, Odilo, passed through Moissac in 1047. The abbey that was once under the diocese of Cahors was then submitted to the Cluny and became the most influential cloister in Christendom (Schapiro and Finn 253). Odilo then placed one of his monks from the Cluny to administer over the Moissac. The task was given to Durand of Bredon. Under his administration, Moissac was restored to its old glory. The wealth and prestige was brought back to the place which was once consumed by invasions, violence and tragedies. It is under Durand’s administration that a new abbey church was consecrated in 1063 (Brabbs 42; Fletcher, Schapiro and Finn 253). In 1096, the Moissac monastery received donations that were later on confirmed by Pope Urban II. With the amount of donations and profits that the monastery gained, the Moissac monastery became a key political and economic focal point. At this stage, there were several people who wanted to become an abbot of the monastery. However, through the papal intervention, Anquetil was assured and re-assured of being the abbot of the Moissac monastery (Schapiro and Finn, 253-60). Abbaye St-Pierre de Moissac became well-known for the Romanesque art that was displayed within its architecture and sculptures. When the abbey had reached the peak and gained governmental importance and influence, conflicts had started to arise between local dignitaries. Artworks that portray passages from the Old and New testaments were displayed on its walls. More than half of the abbey’s cloisters had illustrations of the lives of different saints (Brabbs, 42; Fletcher). Durand of Bredon extended the church’s architectural undertakings and further flourished the richness of not just the church but of the region as a whole. Aymeric later wrote in his Chronicle of Moissac that “where the boar once roamed the woods now stand churches because of Durands labor.” With dedication and hard work, Moissac achieved a status that people looked up to it not just because of its stature in the religious sector but also for what the region had become. Not only being the bishop of Toulouse, Durand was also the abbot of the monastery. Upon Durand’s death, the monks of Moissac recognized him as a saint (Brabbs, 42; Fletcher). It was when Moissac was under Cluny when it reached its most glorious days. During the turn of the 12th century, things were going against the favor of the monastery of Moissac. As attacks by different crusades were made towards the monastery and the region, the church was once more damaged. Though there were restorations made under supervision of then abbot of the monastery, Bertrand de Montaigu, the restoration made the whole cloister to portray more on the artistic style of the 13th century. It can be then concluded that it was only during the time of Saint Desiderius and Durand of Bredon that the monastery was spared from these attacks (Brabbs, 42; Fletcher). The monastery seemed to be plagued with violence and always has been a target of wars and invasions. Though the location of the monastery itself seemed to be secluded from the city, its buildings have been targeted by villains based on the assumption that it was near the countryside. The lives of the monks living at the monastery had been disturbed by these tragedies and events. As a description made by Schapiro and Finn (254), the monastery was secularized in 1625. After the event, the monastery started to be disregarded and started to go on a down-turn. When the leadership of Durand had come to an end, the monastery deteriorated through years and was further neglected by administrators who succeeded him. What should have been a secluded life inside the monastery became a troubled and violent experience for the monks who remained inside the cloisters of the abbey. The abbey was made as a garrison in the 17th century. A place that was built to be a place of worship and seclusion was converted into a place of violence and combat. The purpose of the abbey was completely disregarded. Furthermore, the National Assembly totally concealed the abbey in 1790 (Schapiro and Finn 254). The figures and structures at the abbey are proof of how much violence the monastery had in its existence. The figure of the Prophet Jeremiah and Saint Paul at the column of the portal at the church was estimated to be sculpted between the 10th and 12th century seemed to exemplify the life of the monks at the abbey during all the chaos. They, pertaining to the monks, were just living their lives at the abbey doing their religious traditions and charity works, yet they were invaded by people who were full of greed and who wanted to conquer lands for their own good (Schapiro and Finn 254). Monks were not trained to fight and were called to promote peace and religion throughout the land. How could they be of service to the needy when they themselves were in need of protection themselves from the hands of villains and invaders? Through all the years of the monastery’s existence, it only had 2 leaders who were able to achieve peace and who managed to carry out their duties (Schapiro and Finn 254). Living at the Moissac Cloister during the Medieval up to the Middle Ages was considered a risk. Almost after its foundation, the monastery was haunted by tragedies and violent events. The very few centuries that the abbey can be considered to have been fruitful were the times when it was led by Saint Desiderius and Durand of Bredon or when the administration of the monastery has been transferred from the 2 (Brabbs, 41-2; Fletcher, Schapiro and Finn, 252-4). The monastery’s cloister has been designed to seclude monks inside the abbey from the outside world. However, the walls did not serve its purpose. Throughout the existence of the abbey, outside interference continuously disturbed the seclusion of the monks living inside. The only thing that comes into mind in attempt to describe the lives of people who lived inside the cloister is disturbed. The structures that remain and currently stand at the Moissac Cloister can ensue the feeling of being disturbed as well. These structures may be the only remaining representatives of that sad era. Sculptures and artworks have been at the church for approximately 9-11 centuries. These works are witnesses of the violence that have transpired throughout the existence of the church. There are bruises and deteriorations visible on them as a result of natural events and the violent events that were brought by invasions and war (Fletcher; Schapiro and Finn, 252-4). Sculptures and paintings depict passages from the Old and New Testaments. There are also artworks that portray the lives and works of different saints. There are also works that depict Gospels. However, with what has been done to the abbey, all of these artworks have been dishonored and disrespected. The monastery is a place of worship, yet it was insulted by acts of people who were blinded by violence and greed. Monks who lived in the abbey gave up worldly possessions to achieve inner peace and enlightenment. They would have rather lived a simple life according to the gospels. Money and power were not a part of a monk’s life inside the abbey. However, there were noble locals who wanted to join the abbey for themselves to gain financial control and administrative influence in the town of Moissac, or perhaps, the whole region. There also were greedy administrators of the abbey who acquired lavish decorations and works of art. Yes, these artworks have served as attraction to the abbey. However, to be a monk, lavish acquisitions and expensive possessions had to be sacrificed and avoided. The work of art that is being considered in this case is a version of the Saint John’s vision of the Apocalypse. Even if the monastery could afford to buy such piece, it would still still a violation of how monks were supposed to live their lives. The monastery itself might receive donations but not for the purpose of acquiring expensive possessions, which would go against the sworn principles and beliefs (Fletcher; Schapiro and Finn, 255-60). Only few of building restored during the 12th century still remain. They are the voiceless witnesses of the inhumane treatment that the monks who lived at the abbey experienced during its existence. The cloisters failed to protect the people who should have been protected by the structure. This is the main purpose of building such sturdy cloisters in the monastery. Yet, as immovable as it is, the cloisters remain futile against the entities that forced its way inside the seclusion of the abbey. The figures of the saints at the cloisters seem to be very cold and lifeless, while the religious works of art should be filled with emotions and inspirations. In this case, it is not the fact. There is an impression that life inside the monastery is as lifeless as these art interpretations. Living inside a monastery should be fulfilling as it is an act of following the will of God. This is not what the monks inside the Moissac Abbey experienced during the ages full of fierceness and inhumane treatment (Fletcher; Schapiro and Finn, 255-60). Fear is an unspoken and unwritten emotion in any of the literary works that have been published. It may not be spoken by art works but definitely it can be felt when one dares to examine it. One can just imagine the fear that monks felt during the years of non-stop invasions and wars. Monasteries are usually peaceful and this peace can be felt throughout the area. Not in this case, definitely. Works Cited: Brabbs, Derry. The Roads to Santiago: The Medieval Pilgrim Routes Through France and Spain to Santiago de Compostela. London: Frances Lincoln Limited, 2008. Print. “Commune.” Merriam-Websters Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition, 2008. Fletcher, Adrian. Abbaye St-Pierre de Moissac. 2000-12. Web. . Kirsch, Johann Peter. "St. Desiderius of Cahors." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 4. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1908. Web. . Rubin, Miri. Gentile Tales: The Narrative Assault on Late Medieval Jews. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Yale University Press, 1999. Print. Schapiro, Meyer and David Finn. The Romanesque Sculpture of Moissac: Volume 1. New York, G. Braziller, 1985. Read More