Summer tips: the essence of the Vézelay Abbey lies in the Codex Calixtinus

 

It happens that the point of view of art history often fails to take into account that some works of art and architecture have been conceived with specific aims. Even nowadays, certain historians tend to focus their attention on the objects, their formal aspects and their visual quality. However, by doing so, they sometimes forget the real motivation for which that objects has been realised, that is generally never to prove the ability of its maker. That is why we choose this passage from Codex Calixtinus to express the intensity of the Vézelay Abbey, dedicated to Mary-Magdalene.

 

Then in the Camino de Santiago through Saint-Leonard, first the worthy body of St Mary Magdalene must justly be venerated by pilgrims.

For this is the famous Mary, who in Simon the Leper’s house, watered the feet of the Savour with her tears, cleaned them with her hair, and anointed them with expensive ointment while kissing them attentively.

On this account her sins were forgiven because she held dear he who loves the universe, Jesus Christ her redeemer.

After the Ascension of the Lord from Jerusalem she, with Blessed Maximinus the disciple, went with other disciples by sea to Province, and arrived at the port of Marseille. For some years she led a celibate life there before being buried in the city of Aix by the same Maximinus, bishop of Aix.

After many years her precious consecrated grave was moved from this city to Vezeley by a heroic man named Badilon, who had a blessed life. There it rests in an honourable tomb to this day, where a huge and beautiful cathedral and an abbey of monks was set up.

Through her love, the faults of sinners are forgiven by God, the blind are given sight; the tongue of the mute is released; the lame are raised up; the possessed are liberated and uncountable graces are given. Her solemn feast is celebrated on 22nd July.

 

Codex Calixtinus, Book V of St James the Apostle.

 

September 7, 2014