Boniface and Monasticism: Stabilitas and Peregrinatio

The present article deals with the role of Western monasticism in the Early Middle Ages, namely with peregrinatio and stabilitas and their practice during the process of Christianization. One of the critical concepts of the Benedictine tradition, which shaped the culture of the continent, is stability. This concept can be grasped in different ways. For the purpose of Christian mission, which radiated from the monasteries ruled by the Rule of Benedict, the vow of stability cannot be understood as alifelong and isolated dwelling within one place. The concept needs to be understood in amore flexible way. Boniface was familiar with the Rule of Benedict, but the monasteries on the British Isles were also governed by Columbanian monastic customs. The Rule of Benedict still did not have, however, an exclusive position which was obtained gradually from the late tenth century onwards. Peregrinatio was atraditional Irish practice adopted by Anglo-Saxons making pilgrimiges to the continent. The most significant of them was Winfrid-Boniface. The first hagiography about the life of Boniface, Vita S. Bonifatii, written by Willibald refers to the Rule of Benedict only marginally. As awhole, Vita S. Bonifatii presents rather the opposite to stability, because Boniface is depicted as aperson, who leaves his parents, his monastic community and homeland. He still remains faithful, however, to his flock, to the Pope, Frisia and friends. His spiritual community grew and he never abandoned it, as it is testified by the epistles.