A cela monástica à luz da hagiografia e da biografia devota em Portugal (séculos XVI-XVIII): práticas e contextos

Abstract

In the monastic and conventual frame, the cell, as a space for gathering and "closure", occupies a central place. It is forgotten, sometimes, that this "private space" may take on an importance and meanings of various nature, which may escape the "lens of contemporaneity". With this problem as a backdrop, this study seeks to draw attention to the monastic cell as a central space in the frame of spirituality in Portugal, during the Modern Age. Starting from the analysis of texts, which are inscribed in the vein of hagiographic and sacred biographical literature, we will try to highlight the objects and ornaments that were in the cells, as well as we will try to highlight the various and diverse features that these spaces assume, such as stages of penitence, mortifications or experiences of a mystical nature