Entre spiritualité monastique et canoniale? Le thème de la formation dans les lettres d’Adam de Perseigne

The thought of Adam, second abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Perseigne between 1188 and 1221, is attested to us by his sermons and by a letter-collection. In the latter, which will be analyzed here, the theme of learning emerges as a crucial one. His ideas have been labelled as “characteristically Cistercian”; however, this study aims to highlight that, next to aspects which are typical of the monastic (and especially Cistercian) tradition, there are also atypical elements, which are usually associated with the spirituality of regular canons. Most importantly, Adam pays a remarkable attention to the way in which individual behavior affects one’s neighbor, whom everyone, including monks, has the responsibility to edify through teaching by word and example. This peculiarity, which sets Adam apart from the other monastic authors of his time, is probably the result of his complicated religious career, and in particular of his experience as a regular canon.