The Vita I S Brigitae and De Duodecim Abusiuis Saeculi
Abstract
‘The Vita I S Brigitae and De Duodecim Abusivis Saeculi’ considers several similarities in the lessons offered by the anonymous vita of Ireland’s famed Saint Brigit of Kildare and the sermons of De Duodecim Abusivis, an Hiberno-Latin work of the seventh century generally fathered on Cyprian. Of particular importance here is the discourse that De Duodecim proffers concerning the dives sine eleemosyna, the Christianus contentiosus and the pauper superbus, which appears to be echoed in the interactions between Saint Brigit and her followers in the Vita I. These parallels provide clues to the evolution of the hagiographical dossier of Ireland’s chief female saint, and permit the proposal of a modest stemma for several of its constituents. In addition, it is hoped that the apparently-shared messages of vita and homily may also suggest potential avenues for additional future analyses.
