The Beguines Newsletter informs you about beguinages and beguines, both traditional and modern. It is written by Silvana Panciera and revised by Bernard Van Meenen (French language) and Graham Keen (English language). It lives thanks to the news you send us.
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Please, read below the recent Newsletters with, between brackets, the date of their sending :
Remembering Luisa Muraro ( September 2026)
Exactly one year ago, on 20th September, 2025, the conference Come quando si accende una luce (How when the light comes on) was held at the Catholic University of Milan, the symbolic place where Luisa Muraro graduated with a thesis in philosophy of science.
I immediately thought the light was Luisa herself, but Clara Jourdan, editor of Esserci davvero (Being There), a conversation with Luisa Muraro describing the thread of her life and the genesis of her major works (Libreria delle donne, 2025), corrected me and clarified that the title refers to what happens within us thanks to Luisa’s writings.
The conference proceedings are now available in the edition Come quando si accende la luce.Thinking with Luisa Muraro. Edited by Laura Colombo, Vita Cosentino, and Wanda Tommasi. The book is available at the Libreria delle donne in Milan. To receive it by mail, please write to info@libreriadelledonne.it.
Philosopher, educator, translator, and feminist activist, a brief biographical sketch of her can be found at this address: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luisa_Muraro
Along with some of the conference participants—Martina, Milena, Monica, and Raffaella—we met on November 20th for a webinar to share some key aspects of Luisa’s thought.
This is what emerged
Luisa marked the history of philosophical thought by introducing the concept of the mother, more precisely the symbolic order of the mother, as a vehicle for learning language, the mother tongue, therefore, considering that the acquisition of language coincides with the acquisition of the symbolic order.
Luisa was deeply involved in feminism, working first in the city of Milan where in 1975 she founded, together with Lia Cigarini and others, the Libreria delle donne , a place of study, self-awareness, cultural production, and the practice of new forms of relationships and political analysis. It also supported many initiatives promoted by women in the area, not least Nel Giardino delle beghine (the Beguine Garden) in Mantua.
Thanks to her numerous writings and subsequent translations, she has become an essential figure in the “feminism of difference,” which insists that women’s freedom does not equate with emancipation and that women’s desires are not limited to the achievement of equality with men, but lead to other life experiences and social relationships for a change in a no longer patriarchal civilization.
In this field, a particular relationship between women that she promoted is the “Practice of Entrustment,” which Milena Garavaglia explains as follows (pp. 42-43) in her e-book Cohousing al Femminile. Abitare nei beguinaggi moderni:
“Entrustment is a practice, on a symbolic and social level, exercised within a relationship of mutual trust between two adult women: when referring to the other, one grants her authority, that is, she talks to her about what she does, seeks help in recognizing her own desires, and takes her advice into account. This is a recognition that implies a mutual commitment, that is, nurturing relationships with other women and considering them an irreplaceable resource of personal strength, mental originality, and social security. Women work tin order to “give themselves an identity,” helping each other to progress, trusting and relying on one another, having self-esteem without competing with others, and the ability to seek advice for their own needs.”
Finally, thanks to her friendship with the Beguine Romana Guarnierii,Luisa was introduced to the mystical works of the Beguines, which truly fascinated her. She introduced the movement, particularly Marguerite Porete, without identifying with them.
The numerous conference speakers aptly exposed the many facets of Luisa Muraro’s thought. With her tireless and learned commitment, she certainly brought feminist thought to a truly philosophical level.
A huge thank you to her, to Lia Cigarini, to Clara Jourdan, and to all those like them, and like us at the Beguines Newsletter, who never give up.
Luisa passed away in Milan on June 13, 2026.
To her, we say we would not like to feel like her orphans, but her heirs and that we will always carry her with us.
NEWS
Stephan Delfanne shared some updates on Facebook regarding the progress of the Sainte Barbe Beguinage project, which he founded with his wife, Marie-Claire. The King Baudouin Foundation has decided to support a feasibility study for the renovation of one wing of the site to offer five private units for long-term rental, while developing concepts of green health and positive health (therapeutic wellness area, multipurpose room for yoga/gentle exercise/singing/meditation, etc., and a space dedicated to nutritional education).We will keep you informed of the results of this study.
Bernard Delcourt, OHC, monk at Holy Cross Monastery in New York (http://www.holycrossmonastery.com/), informs us that some of Hadewijch’s songs can be listened to on Apple Music, upon subscription:Grote Minne – Spirituality of Love
https://music.apple.com/us/album/hadewijch-grote-minne-spirituality-of-love/6774313041
A great scholar of Beguines and Beguinages (August 2026)
Thanks two recent lectures he gave in Brussels, the second on May 21st, entitled Les Béfguinages où l’invention d’une altre faction de réaliser sa vie de femme, I have finally rediscovered the foremost expert on Belgian beguinages and a leading connoisseur of the beguine movement. This is Pascal Majérus. When I first met him in 1994, having just been captivated by the Beguines, he was a researcher a the National Archives of Belgium, working specifically on these women called Beguines. These women were, in fact, the reason of my visit.
Of his numerous publications, which can be found cited among the bibliographic sources on the website https://beguines.info, his nearly 1,000-page book, Ces femmes qu’on dit béguines. Guide des béguinages de Belgique, Bibliographie et sources d’archives, Archives Générales du Royaume, 1997, Tomes 1 et 2.
This Guide aims to “list the beguinages that existed within the territory of present-day Belgium and to guide the reader in their bibliographic and heuristic research” (p. 7). It is not exhaustive and is constantly “in progress,” as the author has quickly pointed out.
This work is the fruit of a remarkable and painstaking archival effort, listing all the localities in Belgium where one or more beguinages existed, along with all available historical details. This research, published in 1997, identified 126 Belgian towns with one or more beguinages. In a subsequent interview with RTS (Swiss radio), Pascal Majérus cited 300 beguinage entities, and the list is certainly incomplete.
I am truly delighted by his return to public life in this beguinal field and I am very grateful to Graham Keen, our excellent guide to Belgian beguinages, who attended the conference on May 21st and provided me with a summary, and also the excellent article Les béguinages. Cités de femmes, laboratoires de liberté which was distributed at the event. A small warning: page 23 follows page 25.
I highly recommend watching Graham’s video on the Flemish beguinages, which he now knows like the back of his hand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXODpicjGL8
Good job, Begard Graham!
NEWS
Our Beguines of Provence, Viviane-Marie and Muriel-Raphaëlle from the Mémoire d’Elles association, invite us to take a look at the work of sculptor Jean-Joseph Chevalier during the creation of the statue of Saint Douceline.
https://youtu.be/T0xNFKbdM-0
Three-fifths of the total amount has been raised, but a little more help is still needed. Here is the link to contribute:https://www.helloasso.com/associations/association-memoires-d-elles/collectes/sculpture-sainte-douceline
To mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of the École de la Sagesse (School of Wisdom) in Barjols, the Saint Martin du Lac Beguinage is planning to host a seminar on its history, initiatives, and experiences. Save the dates: October 17th and 18th. The program will be available in September.
La scuola delle donne (The Women’s School), founded in 2017 by Devana, daughter of Liliana, reminds us of the link to the documentary video she made on the beghiaggi in 2023 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmoZNJf1Z5I&t=3sor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfqLODqIHrc with English translation) and their research published onhttps://www.academia.edu/117767692/Beghinaggi_le_sacre_case_delle_libere_donne
Many ways to pay homage the Beguines (July 2027)
There are various ways in which people pay homage to the intrepid history and courageous social and spiritual commitment of the Beguines. Some teach the Beguines’ history ; some study, publish, and publicly present the results of their research. Some undertake translations to spread knowledge about their movement. Some promote awareness-raising and remembrance activities, videos, or podcasts. Some create a Facebook page ; some start a beguinage or an association bearing their name. Some organize and lead visits to beguinages. Some manage a website or newsletter. Some even commission an artist to create a statue. And then there are still others who, finding inspiration in the lifestyle, are inspired by it and call themselves Beguines or Begards. In short, so many initiatives that rejoice in hope.
With the dream realized by Nadia Taglietti, we are witnessing a new approach that has set colours and construction cranes in motion to make it a reality. It’s no less than a mural, approximately 14 meters long and 6 meters high, painted on the facade of Nadia’s house in Macina di Castenedolo (Brescia), at Via Villaggio dei Platani 17. The mural was created by street artist Vera Bugatti. Google Alert also mentioned it and posted a link to the work, which can be found on the artist’s website. Clicking this link gives you a glimpse of how beautiful and impressive this work is:https://www.verabugatti.it/comunione-dintenti-un-omaggio-alle-beghine-e-a-margherita-poret
Unveiled on Sunday 10th May 2026, this mural, titled Comunione di Intenti (Communion of Intent), pays homage to Nadia’s parents, but also to the Beguines, with particular reference to the Umiliate (medieval Beguines of Northern Italy), on whom Nadia, a historian by training, wrote her thesis, entitled Dalla Domus de Cambiago al monastero domenicano dei SS. Agostino e Pietro Martire (XII-XVI) (an extract Dicte priora et sorores non sint moniales nec earum domus monasterium appellatur: The Milanese domus of the Umiliate of Cambiago between the XII and XIV centuries was published by the Archivio Storico Lombardo, year CXXI-CXXV 1998-1999). Since then Nadia has never stopped being interested in it. So much so that for about a year together with Milena Garavaglia, author of Cohousing al femminile. Abitare nei beghinaggi moderni (Cohousing al femminile. Living in modern beguinages), they are preparing a map of the historical presence of the Humiliates in Lombardy, whose order was suppressed in 1571 by Pope Pius V.
Indeed, if you know of any vestiges of this order, please let Nadia Taglietti <nadiataglietti@yahoo.it> and Milena Garavaglia <cart55924@gmail.com> know their location and type. They will be very grateful.
Just as all of us friends of the beguines are truly grateful to you, dearest Nadia, for this fantastic initiative of yours, which will undoubtedly raise awareness of the beguines to all who raise their eyes to admire this, allow me, masterpiece of reverence and gratitude by Vera Bugatti.
NEWS
Thanks to journalist Caroline Vinet de La Vie, I learned that a Marguerite Porete Square has been established, very close to the Place de Grève where Marguerite Porete was burned at the stake. You can read the minutes of the resolution adopted by the Paris City Council in May 2024 (2024 DU 80).
Monique Van Lancker, wandering around Paris, had already sent me a photo of the plaque she discovered while walking.
Google Alert reports the publication of Bernard Raimon‘s book, Mistica delle beghine. Hadewijch e il movimento femminile nel XIII secolo, Monasterium, 192 pages. Available athttps://fedecultura.com/products/mistica-delle-beghine-bernard-raimont-monasterium-9791280938350
Vivre en Béguinage is delighted to share the association’s 2025 Social Impact Report. This 56-page document details the beneficial effects of the inclusive housing model for seniors, particularly regarding healthy aging. To download the report, please request it on the website
https://www.vivre-en-beguinage.fr/rapport-impact-social?_sc=Mzk5MTk3MiMxMzUy&utm_campaign=Newsletter+juin+2026&utm_medium=email&utm_source=brevo
The mystic beguine of Magdeburg (June 2026)
Sometimes it’s the figures themselves who summon us to better understand their message. This is what happened to Giuliana Vittoria Fantuz, who, for no other reason, felt compelled to write about Mechthild of Magdeburg. A fitting call, given that the Beguine Mechthild is still little-known, yet truly deserves to be.
Hans Urs von Balthasar, to whom we owe the twentieth-century rediscovery of her work, considered Matilda the second pinnacle of medieval charismatic theology, after Hildegard of Bingen and before Meister Eckhart, as she was capable of expressing the phenomenology of religious experience in its purest form, is written in the preface of the book.
To learn more about the Beguine mystic, Giuliana initiated many contacts, but here’s what she wrote to me in an email from a few months ago: “Over time, I called and wrote to many people in England and Germany, but no one ever responded.”
Fearless like Mechthild, Juliana then traveled to Magdeburg, but knowledge of this medieval mystic (1208/10–1282) was extremely limited. Meanwhile, the translator Paola Schulze Belli (from whom the selected excerpts included in the second part of the volume are taken) had died, so this contact also faded.
However, the book has been completed and is truly remarkable. It offers a complete overview of Mechthild’s life, her Beguinage, her book, and an anthology of selected excerpts from The Flowing Light of the Divinity, translated by Paola Schulze Belli. It also includes an in-depth analysis of how a vision, revelation, or other supernatural phenomena is understood and evaluated within the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
The magnificent preface by Alessandra Bartolomei Romagnoli, a leading scholar of mysticism, is a red-carpet entrance to the book.
A traveler at heart, Giuliana has explored monasteries in Germany and beguinages in Belgium, and is now in close contact with the Cistercian monastic community ousted from the monastery of San Giacomo di Veglia (Vittorio Veneto-Treviso), to which part of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated. This sad event prompted the author to include an accusation in the book on the status of women in the Church today (see https://beguines.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Conclusione-e-rilancio.pdf). This further brings us closer to Mechthild, whose criticism of the religious institution cost her so much that she left the Beguinal community for refuge in the monastery of Hefta.
Giuliana Vittoria Fantuz, a graduate in Foreign Languages and Literatures from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, is a journalist and writer. She has published several essays on religious figures, including Julian of Norwich. Her book on Mechthild is available in bookstores and online: Giuliana Vittoria Fantuz, Matilde. La mistica beghina di Magdeburgo, with excerpts from The Flowing Light of Divinity and a preface by Alessandra Bartolomei Romagnoli, published by San Paolo Edizioni, March 2026, 192 pp.
The author is available for in-person presentations. To contact her: giulianafantuz@gmail.com
NEWS
Patrizia Righettini informs us that Melissa Febos’s book, The Dry Season (see July 2024 Newsletter), is available in Italian translation under the title Dry Season. Il mio anno di piacere senza sesso (Dry Season. My Year of Sexless Pleasure), translated by Federica Principi, Nottetempo, p. 360, €20. You can read here the review of Antonella Lattanzi, published in the “Books” supplement of the Corriere della Sera on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Even the review mentions the Beguines.
Thanks to our “book scout” Patrizia.
Cathy Gaspard brought to our attention the article Mystical research, seeking perfection and helping the poor: how a modern-day Beguines community was formed in the heart of Brussels (article published on May 28, 2026, in The Brussels Times, but referring to a previous article from October 19, 2019). Many thanks, Cathy.
A statue for Douceline (May 2026)
Are you familiar with the saying, “Things come in threes”? Well, this time it’s certainly true once again. For the third time, our spotlight shines on Provence and its Beguines, both historical and modern.
You already know the most famous among them, Douceline de Digne (1214-1274), who played a leading role in Barjols, Hyères, Marseille, and Sainte-Baume. In the heart of the 13th century, she was the driving force behind the original development of the Beguines’ community in Provence, founding two beguinal establishments in Hyères and Marseille: “Les Dames de Roubaud.”
You are already familiar with the Association MEMOIRES D’ELLES (Viviane-Marie and Muriel-Raphaëllehttps://association-memoires-delles.webnode.fr/), also featured on our website ,https://beguines.info/?page_id=371&lang=en which revives this memory through numerous initiatives, and we already know the book Béguines de Provence, which was presented in our April Beguines Newsletter.
I have just received some truly important news from Viviane-Marie and Muriel-Raphaëlle. The Association Mémoires d’elles, supported by the Sainte Douceline Fraternity of Hyères, intends to bring Douceline’s remarkable personality back into the spotlight in a very tangible way.
How?
By creating a 1-meter stone statue, which will be placed in the church dedicated to Douceline, the Church of Pyanet in Hyères. Jean-Joseph Chevalier has been chosen as the artist to create this sculpture. An artist dedicated to “serving a single ideal: beauty.” You can admire his works by visiting his website: https://www.jeanjosephchevalier.fr
This very informative flyer provides additional information and the way for a possible personal contribution
The initial budget of €5,700 has only been partially reached, and our Beguines of Provence are appealing to our generosity by launching a crowdfunding campaign. The link is: https://www.helloasso.com/associations/association-memoires-d-elles/collectes/sculpture-sainte-douceline
In France, donations are tax-deductible.
We hope this beautiful project will come to fruition and preserve the tangible memory of Douceline and her followers in the heart of her church and Provence, as well as among those who feel able to contribute.
INFO
Laura Swan, author of the beautiful book The Wisdom of the Beguines, and Susan Emanuel, English translator of the great Aline Kiner’s book La nuit des béguines, have pointed out to me that the website https://lithub.com/the-radical-write-how-a-medieval-catholic-mystic-inspired-my-debut-novel/ links to the author of CANTCLE and not to Marguerite Porete. The text therefore doesn’t mention beguines and perhaps also suffers from a lack of historical depth. I thank these two attentive readers and apologize for not having looked into the information I received myself.
Martina Bugada informs us that on 28th March , Il Giardino delle Beghine celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Sororità, also remembering the birthday of its founder, Ivana Ceresa. A celebration also shared with the two new sororities born in Tuscany in Empoli in San Miniato on the initiative of Giulia Taddei and her friends. Heartiest congratulations.
Graham Keen informs us of the death, on 8th April, 2026, of Father Charles Delhez, whom he met in December 2022 to learn more about the project for a possible future beguinage in Blocry (Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgique). Here is Graham’s article: https://beguines.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/BLOCRY-beguinage.pdf and the tributes paid to Father Charles:
https://www.cathobel.be/2026/04/combien-de-milliers-de-km-as-tu-parcourus-je-remercie-dieu-de-tavoir-mis-sur-mon-chemin-les-hommages-au-pere-charles-delhez-affluent/
When this beguinage is built, the main square will certainly be dedicated to Father Charles. RIP. For more information about the great Blocry project see https://www.blocry-paroisse.be/asbl-pole-blocry
Bernard Van Meenen informs us that Pascal Majérus will give the conference “Les béguinages, ou l’invention d’une autre façon de réaliser sa vie de femme” on May 21st at the Jette University Antenna:https://jette.brussels/fr/actualites/conferences-antenne-interuniversitaire-de-jette-2025-2026
Don’t miss it, and if you are so inclined, please send me a report of your experience.
Beguines of Provence (April 2026)
Just a year ago, I translated into Italian the life of Douceline de Digne, written by her disciple Philippine de Porcellet. Good news: the Italian edition is nearing publication. We’ll have more on that soon.
In the meantime, Cathy Gaspard has just finished the English translation (well done, Cathy!), which will be reviewed by Brother Bernard Delcourt (Holy Cross Monastery, New York). Thank you, Bernard.
To this very good news about the Beguines of Provence, we have another equally joyous piece of news: the publication of the book Beguines of Provence, by Laurence Fritsch (<laurencefritsch13100@orange.fr>).
Laurence Fritsch holds a doctorate in medieval and modern history, is a paleographer, translator, and specialist in Provençal heritage and spirituality. Having worked for many years in communications and publishing in Paris, and later as a teacher, she is now a writer, lecturer, and organizer of spiritual itineraries in Provence. She is in close contact with our modern-day Beguines of Provence, Viviane-Marie and Muriel-Raphaëlle, from the Mémoire d’elles association (https://beguines.info/?page_id=371).
The book Beguines de Provence is a historical essay of nearly 400 pages, renowned for its thorough documentation and wealth of references. Many authors who have contributed to our understanding of the Beguines movement are mentioned. Although academic in nature, the book is a smooth and enjoyable read.
It not only teaches us about the various aspects of Beguine life in Provence (chapters 2-3-4), but in the very first chapter, it also guides us through the emergence of this spiritual movement, which now seems to have found its own name in French: “Béguisme”. All the main related questions are addressed: active life vs. contemplative life, connection with the new orders, origin of the word Beguine, persecutions and religious orders, and many others. Particular attention is also paid to the male Beguinis themselves.
I was deeply touched by the dedication of the book to Anne-Marie Monges, Lecturer at Aix-Marseille University, who had suggested to Laurence that they work together on the Beguines, but whose wish could not be fulfilled due to her untimely death.
Laurence has carried the torch for both of them.
NEWS
Graham Keen informs us that a group from the An Croi Beguine community (Ireland) will be visiting Belgium from April 16th to 18th. He will join them to show them around some Beguinages. Fantastic, Graham!
This year again, from June 10th to 13th, the Béguinage de la Croix aux Boeufs is delighted to offer the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Marie Barguil, somatopsichopedagogue.“Last year, 19 of us recharged our batteries in a wonderfully harmonious atmosphere. Marie Emmanuel and Thérèse are delighted to welcome you and… to participate. Warmest regards,Your two Beguine sisters, Thérèse and Marie Emmanuel”
For information and registration: https://beguines.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Stage-pleine-presence-juin-2026-web.pdf
Susan Emanuel informs us that a 26-minute documentary about Marguerite Porete, produced in 2024, is available on Arte.tv until early June at the following address: https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/115019-011-A/quand-l-histoire-fait-dates/. It is presented and narrated by medieval historian Patrick Boucheron and historian Isabelle Lupette. Thank you, Susan.
Marguerite Porete again (March 2026)
On Monday, 12th January at 1:00 AM (yes, you read that right, 1:00 AM), I participated in a Zoom webinar held in Quebec, which had been recommended to me by friends scattered around the world. Thank you Bernard (USA), and thank you Thérèse (France). How lucky I am to have such good friends!
The online meeting was organized by Fabrice Blée, professor of theology and founder of Solars (https://www.solarscentre.com), an initiative that presents itself with the label “doing theology differently,” aiming to reconcile us with the great mystical tradition, even beyond the Christian tradition.
58 of us gathered to listen to Jean Bédart, essayist, novelist, and philosopher, who has produced a prolific body of work, including unpublished texts he writes in preparation for his books (https://hfortier.com/documents/JeanBedard_cv201706.pdf).
He also manages his blog (https://jeanbedardphilosopheecrivain.wordpress.com).
Jean Bédart is also the testimony of a deep sense of daily life and concern for the future of the world. He was the founder of a community inspired by rural life (Sageterre), being the only alternative for the future and which, according to him, has points in common with the life in beguinages.
Jean Bédart presented his historical novel Marguerite Porete. L’inspiration de Maître Eckhart (Marguerite Porete. The Inspiration of Master Eckhart). Since I haven’t read it, I’ll share the description from the Solars website: “His meticulously researched biographical novel, “Marguerite Porète, l’inspiration de Maître Eckhart” (winner of the Prix de l’Académie des lettres du Québec), recounts the life and work of Marguerite Porète. This mystical philosopher reveals a life-affirming feminism, an organized and militant feminism that shook both the Church and the State. She was the direct inspiration for Maître Eckhart. While she remains relatively unknown (Christian Bobin praises her in “Le Très-Bas”), she cannot fail to make an impression: her thought and especially her actions compel us to fundamental changes that could well contribute to making our world viable, sustainable, and above all, happy.” By clicking this link you can listen to the replay of the lecture: https://vimeo.com/1153796370/4c58af5d71?fl=ip&fe=ec
Since the book is a novel, I probably won’t read it, because my thirst for knowledge demands the historically documented rigor of the events recounted, something a novelist can easily do without, at the risk of providing information that sometimes didn’t actually happen. I recently came across a very beautiful video in Italian (again, about Marguerite) which recounted, among other things, a visit that Master Eckhart supposedly paid her while she was imprisoned in Paris. This is a historical inaccuracy. Nevertheless, here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=464yUgm0urY
A crucial issue for the future will be the reliability of the knowledge disseminated, as anyone can express and write their opinions and present them as proven facts. AI will then simply amplify them everywhere.
The Beguines community will bear the brunt of this, and it is already doing so.
On the occasion of this 8th March I wish you a meaningful day and I offer you my latest work on Marguerite Porete, translated into English to make it accessible to a larger audience. A great thank you to Cathy Gaspard for her linguistic reading.
https://beguines.info/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Marguerite-Porete-a-heretic-to-be-sanctified.pdf.
INFO RECEIVED
Please note that Milena Garavaglia will present Beghine. La forza delle donne tra passato e presente(Beguines. The Strength of Women between Past and Present) on March 8, 2026, at 4:30 PM in the “Mario Costa” Council Chamber in Sedriano (MI), organized by the Councilor for Culture and the Friends of Culture Association of Sedriano. For information: Milena Garavaglia <cart55924@gmail.com>
On March 23, from 2 to 4 pm, the conference Les béguinages, des pierres nées sans texte? (Beguinages: Stones Born Without Text?) will be held in Brussels, organized by https://agesettransmissions.be at Rue Belliard, 20 – 1040 Brussels. The speaker is the eminent specialist Pascal Majérus, author of Ces femmes qu’on dit béguines : guide des béguinages de Belgique : bibliographie et sources d’archives. (These Women Called Beguines: A Guide to the Beguinages of Belgium: Bibliography and Archival Sources). If you attend, please give him my warm regards.
For information and reservations (admission €12): +32 476 40 98 30.
Brigitte Meister, a member of the Board of Directors of the Dachverband-der-Beginen (Beginen Association), informs us that the annual Beginen Reise (Beginen Reunion) will take place from April 29th to May 2nd, 2026. Here is the program and information on how to participate: https://beguines.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Beginenreise-2026.pdf
I invite you to see the progress of the Beguinage of Saint Barbara, recently posted by Stephan Delfanne on Facebook by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/537554444552281/permalink/1444356477205402
Angela da Foligno (February 2026)
icona by Patrizia Dezio
Among the specific features of the Beguine world, that emerged towards the end of the 12th century,there was the possibility of choosing one’s own spiritual director. Unfortunately, cases of a woman being chosen for this role were extremely rare, I imagine because of the sacrament of confession, with its remission of sins, which was the prerogative of men.
Beguines in Europe primarily turned to the mendicant orders, which, like them, arose from the religious fervor of those centuries. However, the Beguines of the North mainly opted for the Friars Preachers (later called Dominicans), while those of the South chose the Franciscans.
Such was the choice of Angela of Foligno, a member of the Franciscan family, whose memory was brought to my attention by the Poor Clare Christine Daine, to whom I owe my first encounters with the Beguine world.
Christine (christineclarissedaine@gmail.com) practices and leads simple presence meditation groups in Brussels and sends out “Le Fil Bleu (The Blue Thread)” every week, featuring beautiful texts. In one of these, she shares “an amazing text by Angela that delighted me. Like many Beguines, Angela uses oxymorons to speak of God, saying something and its opposite, like ‘Far-Near’ or ‘Darkness-Light’. No word can express God, not even love… perhaps especially love. And yet, something must be said about Him… Then, she shares her experience. »
Here is the text taken from the Book, and quoted by Christine, in which Angela da Foligno (click on her name to know something about her) shares her experience:
“Now, I place my hope in no good that can be spoken of outwardly, or even conceived, but my hope lies in a secret good, very sure and hidden, which I understand with such darkness.”
“The soul sees absolutely nothing that the mouth or even the heart can later recount; it sees nothing and it sees absolutely everything.”
“Once my soul was lifted up, and I saw God in such clarity, such beauty, and such fullness, as I had never seen Him before, nor in such a complete way. I saw no love there; I then lost the love I had and became non-love.”
“In this Goodness seen in darkness I collected myself entirely.”
“If I say that it is all good, I destroy it.”
Important message received from beguine Brita Lieb
On Christmas day, December 25, 2025, Gertrud M. Hofmann-Startz, the founder of the Beguines in Germany, died peacefully. On December 3, 1925, she had celebrated her 100th birthday with her family! We are happy that she died peacefully to God; as a Beguine, she did so much good for so many people, and He will surely welcome her with open arms. Her Requiem Mass will be held on Thursday, January 8, 1926, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of her home in Essen-Steele. I wish you a happy and healthy 2026, and all my love.
Sister Brita, Beguine
Activity
On March 8, 2026, Milena Garavaglia will present the Beguinal movement on behalf of the cultural group and the municipal administration of Sedriano (MI). Through her various presentations, Milena, author of the book “Cohousing al Femminile: Abitare nei beguinaggi moderni,” is spreading awareness and respect for these Beguinal friends of ours. For information: Milena Garavaglia <cart55924@gmail.com>
Good news from German and Italy (January 2026)
It’s auspicious to begin the new year with good news, as well as with the best wishes of us who collaborate at the Beguines Newsletter. We are Antonio (informatics support), Bernard (French revision), Graham (English and Deutsch revision), and Silvana (writer and sender). Please extend our wishes to your beloved ones but also to all living being around you.
A recent contact with Uta-Maria Freckmann has introduced me to two significant items in the world of German beguines. What you read here can be found more widely developed on the website https://Beginenhof-Nordhastedt.blogspot.com; the quotes from the website are in italics. This text has been proofread and approved by Uta-Maria, who is responsible for the network of contacts.
So here is the good news: two from Germany and one from Italy
The first is the existence of the Nordhastedt beguinage (6 km from Heide), founded in 2019, following the previous one that existed from 2013 to 2019 in Wedel (near Hamburg). This Beguinal community is currently composed by three residents and two others online. Her main characteristic is the steadily established spirituality and the centrality of Christ in their quest, unconnected to any religious institution. “Life in the Beguinage is very similar to that in religious monasteries, but with the freedom to express one’s own spirituality.”
Strong involvement and fierce independence are well expressed by Manuela Schindler, Martina Sruckhoff, and Maria-Uta Freckmann. Each of them presented the reasons for their Beguinal choice, and they are all firmly convinced to have made the right choice and are very happy about it.
From the website, we also learn that they work as therapists, alternative practitioners specializing in podiatry, psychotherapy, fibromyalgia, and spiritual counselors. Their voluntary commitments include caring for the elderly, peace movement, and supporting women. They also organize events open to the public at the Beguinage.
The second good news is the launch in June 2025 of the biannual magazine Beginen Heute (Beguines Today), which can be downloaded directly from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CGAPE51VWLPykNu-Y0yfXmFKGF5-VBt3/view?pli=1 or read on one of the social media listed below.
Beginen Heute on 01.01.2026: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Bkn_5zlRNUoWr-McsLhvKGXqDsJytOJ/view?usp=sharing
The aim of this German-language magazine is “to revitalize and support the Beguine movement, to strengthen the cohesion of all Beguines, and to raise public awareness of their activities.”
Beginen heute Blog: https://beginen-heute.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beginenheute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beginen.heute/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeitschrift-beginen-heute/
We hope that Beginen Heute will contribute to connecting a friendly network among German-speaking women and others who, albeit with different sensibilities and methods, draw inspiration from the historical Beguines.
And finally, the third piece of good news: Hadewijch’s work, Canti, was recently published in the Lettere series, edited by Marco Vannini. It is a complete edition, with original Dutch text on the opposite page and extensive commentary by Dutch specialists. The Italian translation is by Franco Paris, professor of the subject in Naples.
Hadewijch CANTI. Testo nederlandese medio a fronte. A cura di Veerle Fraeters e Frank Willaert, Le Lettere, Firenze 2025, pp. 458, € 25,00 – ISBN 9788893665445
Reading the Newsletters of the year 2025
Reading the Newsletters of the year 2024
Reading the Newsletters of the year 2023
Reading the Newsletters of the year 2022
Reading the Newsletter of the year 2021
Reading the Newsletters of the year 2020
Reading the Newsletters of the year 2019
Reading the Newsletters of the year 2018
Reading the Newsletters of the year 2017
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