De spirituali amicitia

work by Saint Aelred of Rievaulx

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June 25, 2026

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De spirituali amicitia (Spiritual Friendship) is considered the greatest work by Saint Aelred of Rievaulx, a prominent Cistercian abbot and writer from medieval England. Written around the 12th century, it is a Christian response to Cicero's De amicitia.1

The treatise explores the concept of spiritual friendship, designating Jesus Christ as its ultimate source and driving force. Aelred's writings, including this work, significantly influenced Cistercian spirituality and monasticism. He was known for his Christocentric doctrine and ascetic lifestyle.1

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Saint Aelred of Rievaulx
De spirituali amicitia (Spiritual Friendship), considered to be his greatest work, is a Christian counterpart of Cicero’s De amicitia and designates Christ as the source and ultimate impetus of spiritual friendship. Speculum caritatis (The Mirror of Charity), which Aelred wrote at Bernard’s insistence, is a…
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De spirituali amicitia (Spiritual Friendship), considered to be his greatest work, is a Christian counterpart of Cicero’s De amicitia and designates Christ as the source and ultimate impetus of spiritual friendship. Speculum caritatis (The Mirror of Charity), which Aelred wrote at Bernard’s insistence, is a…
Read More