Overview

Full Product Details

9781322295176

Table of Contents

Reviews

Focused and meticulously researched, Power and Sainthood addresses the idea of holiness in action as St. Birgitta began to assert her authority in the formative years of her life as a mystic and visionary. Salmesvuori gives a grounded view of what Birgitta was like as both a woman and human being, but - very wisely - stops short of making any generalized character judgments . . . A truly interesting take on Birgitta. - Bridget Morris, Independent Scholar, York, UK Salmesvuori succeeds in showing how this remarkable woman from the northern fringe of Europe was able to establish a personal authority that made princes, priests, and popes listen to her. After reading this book, few will be inclined anymore to say that Birgitta was guided by her father confessors. It was clearly the other way around. - Stephan Borgehammar, Professor of Practical Theology, Lund University, Sweden Salmesvuori offers fresh insights into how Birgitta established her reputation as a living saint in mid-fourteenth century Sweden. Carefully attending to historical chronology, Salmesvuori provides new interpretations of Birgitta's early revelations in light of key theories about the public performance of religious power. She cogently demonstrates that Birgitta exercised spiritual authority through repeated negotiations with her audience and attracted followers even earlier than scholars usually recognize. This study is a valuable contribution to our understanding of gender, power, and sanctity in the later Middle Ages. - Claire L. Sahlin, Professor of Women's Studies, Texas Woman's University, USA

Author Information

Paivi Salmesvuori is Adjunct Professor in General Church History and Gender Studies at the University of Helsinki, Finland. She has specialized in issues pertaining to gender, power, and religion. She is co-editor of the book Finnish Women Making Religion: Between Ancestors and Angels.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available