Saints, Infirmity, and Community in the Late Middle Ages

Dr. Jenni Kuuliala is a senior research fellow at the Centre of Excellence in the History of Experiences at Tampere University, working on illness, disability, and healing in the late medieval and early modern period.

• Abbreviations Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction -Approaching Holy Infirmity -Canonization Processes as Sources for Holy Infirmity Infirmitas Leading to Saintly Life -Infirmity, Conversion, and the Path to Sainthood -Ailing Health and Chastity in Marriage Patientia and the Borders of Holy Infirmity -(Un)diagnosing Holy Illness and Impairment -Old Age and Infirmity -Infirmity, Raptures, and the Marks of Passion -The Saint and the Suffering Family Abstinence, Devotional Practices, and Social Control -Harmful penitentia and Discretion -Controlling Austerity Holy Infirmity and the Devotees -Encountering the Infirm Saint -The Saint as a Medicator -Cure and the Benefits of Infirmity Conclusions: Infirmity, community, and canonization Bibliography -Manuscripts -Printed Sources -Literature Index

"Saints, Infirmity, and Community in the Late Middle Ages is an outstanding study of disability, gender, and sanctity in thirteenth- through fifteenth-century Europe. [...] Kuuliala makes an important contribution to our knowledge of medieval cultural constructs of bodily alterity." - Julie Singer, Journal of British Studies, Vol. 62, Iss. 1