CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST, FESTIVAL OF.
See New- Year's Festival.
CISTERCIANS, sis-ter'shians.
Origin and Character of the Order (§ 1). Golden Age of the Order (§ 2). Gradual Decay of the Order (§ 3). History Since the Reformation (§ 4).
A certain Robert (d. 1108; life in A8B, Apr., iii. 662-678) retired from liis position as prior at Montier la Celle to become head of a company of anchorites in the forest of Moleme, northwest of Dijon. The monks objected to his strict rule, however, and in 1098 with twenty followers he withdrew and founded a monastery I. Origin at Citeaux (Lat. Cistercium, 20 m. s.e. and Char- of Dijon) in Burgundy. A papal acter of the command required him to return to Order. Moleme (1099), and he was succeeded as abbot at Citeaux by Alberic, who composed the Instituta monachorum Cisterciensium de Molismo venientium. Alberic was succeeded by the able and pious Englishman Harding (or Stephen; see Harding), who came near seeing the end of the monastery for want of novices. But the entrance of the young Bernard (see Bernard of Clairvaux) and thirty of his friends brought a change. From this time on the number of monks increased and daughter monasteries were established—at La Fert6, 1113; Pontigny, 1114; Monmud
Cistercians
THE NEW SCHAFF-IIERZOG
and Clairvaux, 1115. Bernard bi'canic al)l)ot of the last. To these csiablishineiita others were added by Citeaux and the daughter foundations. It soon appeared neeessary to regulate the relation of the monasteries to one another, and this was doii j in a manner which formed a new stage in the development of monasticism; for the first time a union of monasteries was effected by a formal constitution. The Charta charitatis, the result of the deliberations of the abbots, formed the basis, which was further expanded by resolutions of subsequent general chapters.
The characteristic peculiarities of the order may be comprised in the following points: (1) A strict observance of the letter of the rule of Benedict. (2) The greatest simplicity, even poverty, in the mode of hfe; the very churches should be devoid of all show and adornment. (3) The subsistence of the monasteries to be derived exclusively from agriculture and cattle-raising — an arrangement from which sprang the importance that the order obtained in the cultivation of the land and colonization. (4) Besides the monks, lay brothers (convcrsi, laid, barbati) are also to be received; as the monk, in accordance with the regulations, while not freed entirely from labor, has mostly to devote himself to devotion and choir-service, so the lay brother is chiefly occupied with manual labor; the example of Mary and Martha is often quoted; there were also laborers (mercenarii, afterward called familiares) mentioned as early as the statutes of Alberic, who were freemen serving for pay (since the possession of serfs was precluded on principle). (5) As concerns the relation of parent and daughter monasteries, each monastery has a certain authority over its filiations. At the head stands Citeaux, but the four oldest under-monasteries also enjoy an exceptional position: their abbots visit the mother monasteiy once every year, and with Citeaux, one of them stands at the head of each of the five divisions {linew) of the order. But all these authorities are subject to the general chapter, which meets annually at Citeaux, in which all abbots have a voice, and which has not only the highest legislative power, but also the decision in all cases of questions which may arise. (6) It was considered highly important at the beginning that there should be no loosening of diocesan bonds. The foremost representative of this idea is Bernard (cf. De moribus et officiis, ix. 33-37, in MPL, clxxxii. 830-834; De Consid., III. iv. 4-18). Afterward, however, this principle was greatly neglected. In almost all these regulations can be perceived a contrast to those of the Cluniacensians, and this contrast was intentional, for the latter were considered as having apostatized from the true nature of monasticism. Bernard also at first was severe and bitteragainst them (Epist., i.), hut later he was much more lenient {Apol. ad GuilL). Peter the Venerable of Cluny was still more friendly (cf., e.g., his Ejyist, i. 28, in MPL, clxxxix. 112-159; iv. 17-ccxxix. of the letters of Bernard, MPL, clxxxii. 39.H-417). Thus the tension was relaxed, but did not disappear altogether. Devotion to the Virgin Mary, the tendency of the time, was not only accepted by the CiBtcrcians, but their fervency
h( iglitened it. Mary is the patroness of the order; the general chapter of 1134 declares that all chur(-hes of the order shall be dedicated to her, and it devoted to her a special liturgical office on Saturday.
The golden age of the order extends to the second half of the thirteenth century. Different causes contributed to a powerful 2. Golden growth of the order: besides the Age of the monastic tendency of the age, there Order. were especially the personality and the labor of Bernard, who is considered as the real saint of the order, and from him the Cistercians are frequently called Bernardines. Pious contemplation was coupled with activity in agriculture and strictly regulated authoritative relations and government, in which all took part. At the death of Bernard the number of convents was 288, and in vain did the general chapter try to stop their increase; at the end of the century there were 529 abbeys, to which were added yet 142 in the thirteenth century until about 1270. Then began a standstill. During the fourteenth century forty-one were added, in the fifteenth CLMitury twenty-six, so that the whole number was 738 during the medieval period. In the mean time some foundations were discontinued: to the linea Clarcevallis belong 353 (half of the entire number). From France to Hungary, Poland, and Livonia; from Sweden to Portugal; from Scotland to Sicily, Cistercian monasteries were found. During the period of prosperity the connection with Citeaux and the other mother monasteries was maintained. In the outward construction of the monasteries as well as in the mode of life of the monks, especially in the regulation of religious worship, a conformity existed which united the Cistercians of the different countries among themselves and separated them from all other communities. In the Spanish peninsula the knightly orders of Alcantara, Calatrava, and Truxillo (qq.v.); in Portugal the order of Aviz (q.v.) were connected with the Cistercians. In northeastern Germany and further to the east the Cistercians rendered great service to civilization by their colonizing activity. Marshes were drained and forests were cleared; orchards and vineyards were planted on a gigantic scale; and cattle and sheep were raised. The improvement of its property was the principal aim of each monastery. This period has been lucidly described by Winter (cf., however, Hauck, KD, iv., Leipsic, 1903). During the twelfth century and into the middle of the thirteenth the Cistercians occupied an important position in the government of the Church. Not a few of them were made cardinals. Arnold of Citeaux under Innocent Illundertook the crusade against the Albigenses. Innocent III. charged them with so many things that the chapter of 1211 asked for moderation. Honorius III. and Innocent IV. overwhelmed them with privileges.
In the task of influencing spiritually the masses the mendicant friars took precedence of the Cistercians. The great facility with which they went from place to place made them at the same time more efficient instruments for the popes.