Devotio Moderna - Origins and Context

Origins and Context

The origins of the movement go back to the Congregation of Windesheim, but the exact definition of Devotio Moderna proved elusive for centuries, and to date its definition is subject to debate. However, a key element that influenced the movement in its early days was the focus on the rediscovery of genuine pious practices and conversion and re-conversion of lukewarm clergy. Gerard Groote was highly dissatisfied with the state of the Church and what he perceived as the gradual loss of monastic traditions and the lack of moral values among the clergy - a sentiment expressed by Henry Suso long before him.

Devotio Moderna began as a lay movement - Groote gathered a group of friends around him and acted as their spiritual director. Among these Florens Radewyns became a priest based on Groote's advice and after Groote's death directed the brethren. Groote's work formed two kinds of communities, the Brethren of the Common Life, consisting mainly of laymen, as well as monasteries in the area of Windesheim near Zwolle.

The spiritual life of the Devotio Moderna followers was marked by focus on inner devotions and frequent short periods of meditation, specially before each new activity. The monastic communities of Devotio Moderna faced opposition from the clergy, who objected to Groote, but in time as Radewyns persisted, the opposition faded away.

Devotio Moderna arose at the same time as Christian Humanism, a meshing of Renaissance Humanism and Christianity, and is related to German mysticism and other movements which promoted an intense personal relationship with God. By the late 15th century the advent of the printing press increased the reach of the movement; The Imitation of Christ was printed in several languages by the end of the century. Practitioners of the Devotio Moderna emphasized the inner life of the individual and promoted meditation according to certain strictures. With the ideals of Christian Humanism, Devotio Moderna recommended a more individual attitude towards belief and religion and was especially prominent in cities in the Low Countries during the 14th and 15th centuries. It is regarded sometimes as a contributing factor for Lutheranism and Calvinism. It was also a major influence upon Erasmus, who was brought up in this tradition.