Opinions on Cistercian architecture?

[Relicario]

[Kaesekopf]

Reflective of Cistercian life, I'd say. 

[dolores]

Reflective of Cistercian life, I'd say.

My thoughts exactly.

[Heinrich]

Listening to this and seeing the the OP's pics gives one the feeling that the order and character of the Cistercians are rigid and to the point.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74d3gWJOV-4[/yt]

[Lynne]

Is that in Boston?

[Non Nobis]

Listening to this and seeing the the OP's pics gives one the feeling that the order and character of the Cistercians are rigid and to the point.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74d3gWJOV-4[/yt]

The point being God?  I find the soaring arches and music raise my soul towards God, even though they are rigid in their external form.  They are  peaceful; as St. Augustine says "peace is the tranquility of order".

[Heinrich]

Listening to this and seeing the the OP's pics gives one the feeling that the order and character of the Cistercians are rigid and to the point.

[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74d3gWJOV-4[/yt]

The point being God?  I find the soaring arches and music raise my soul towards God, even though they are rigid in their external form.  They are  peaceful; as St. Augustine says "peace is the tranquility of order".

Right.

[joe17]

Lynne, no, but St Clements looks similiar.

[Greg]

It's going to use a large amount of water with every flush.

[Pacebene83]

The Cistercian Monasteries are bare,  no statues, no stain glass figures etc——based on the idea that the Cistercian monk would not need these helpers in prayer,    but  they would be more of a distraction,  Lectio Divino—-a withdrawal into self......to see the mirror and Christ,  one of the reasons why so many wear the hood——-keep out the distractions.  Even musical instruments were discouraged,  was a distraction.

Cistercians buildings were all to be constructed in the same way, non of the architecture was to be in any way constructed to be ostentatious, either outside or inside, same with meals, hours of prayers, clothing.  Also the monks were not to engage in teaching, parochial, or pastoral services.  Of course some of this seclusive behavour changed, depending on orders from the Pope as during the Crusades.  Poverty, simplicity and seclusion governed the Cisterican art.

I suppose one could argue about the beauty of some cathedral and the simplicity of a Cistercian Church———which one enhances prayer better.   


AMDG

[Michael Wilson]

Personally I find the Cistertian architecture and Church decor very bare and dry; I am however an unabashed fan of the Post Reformation Baroque and even more of its extreme practices like the Spanish "Churrigueresque"; with a lot of statues and ornamentation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churrigueresque

[magdalena]

I rely on beautiful art in my home to assist me in prayer and would have to be pretty developed spiritually to keep focused in such stark surroundings as are found in Cistercian architecture.  But I imagine St. John of the Cross would have no trouble.

[Pacebene83]

The first object I seek out is the red sanctuary light whic tells the worshipper that the Holy Eucharist is present generally in the tabernacle or on Exposition. In Europe many Catholic Churches were seized during the Protestant revolution.  I'm not much for statues, paintings, stain glass, multiple altars and racks for candles and offerings.  I do recognize that attachment to beautiful objects, persons, is not necessarily an obstacle to seeking God wholeheartedly.   Many of the Franciscan Monasteries were full with paints, sculptures, etc, same with the all the "mendicant orders".   

The two orders today that are strict in their observance of monastic life are the Cistercians and Carthusians.   The Cistercians are the OCSO  Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance—differentiates from the OCS   Order of Cistercians which do some teaching ex...University of Dallas.

Also many of the Monasteries that were built years ago were built by local nobles, who had the money and influenced the architecture. 

St. John of the Cross was a Carmelite Monk  and St. Theresa of Avila was also a Carmelite—-both were considered  "'mystics".
St John of the Cross does speak of "detachment"  especially inhis  "Ascent".

[aquinas138]

I think I'm with Michael Wilson on this. The actual architecture is nice, but it is very bare. Since it is a Cistercian church and not a parish church, it's not a problem, but I prefer a church that is well-appointed — statuary in Roman churches, icons in Eastern churches, and gold, gold, GOLD!

[Michael Wilson]

I think I'm with Michael Wilson on this. The actual architecture is nice, but it is very bare. Since it is a Cistercian church and not a parish church, it's not a problem, but I prefer a church that is well-appointed — statuary in Roman churches, icons in Eastern churches, and gold, gold, GOLD!

Yes! And tons of statues and little side chapels with my favorite saints etc. etc.