Holy Tears, Holy Blood: Women, Catholicism, and the Culture of Suffering in France, 1840-1970

Rating:
Summary: Excellent research and interpretation
Review: This intriguing study answered many a question of mine about the idea of 'vicarious suffering' in French spirituality. Burton develops the topic in an arresting writing style, showing the political and social influences which contributed to this variety of Ultramontane attitudes towards sacrifice and pain. The characters he treats were largely familiar to me, and I am not ignorant of French history, yet, in his deep and absorbing treatment, I found answers to areas that had puzzled me for decades.

In a larger realm, Burton's subject applies to the overall 'good wife, good daughter' idea that thwarted those seeking to promote prayer, service and sacrament in Britain and other areas of Europe. For example, the development of how church involvement was seen as taking away the (usually very secular) husband or father's authority has implications that go far beyond France itself.

This is not a 'devotional' book, and those who are looking for such may be disappointed by Burton's honest and detached treatment of the ailments, physical or psychological, which contributed to the manifestations these women displayed. Nonetheless, there is nothing offensive to religion here at all, and indeed the sincere devotion of those of whom he writes is affirmed. Burton's originality is in his explanation of the factors that made spirituality in this time and place sometimes take a particular form - and one that could be devastating and, in the outcome, quite contrary to the solid and positive Christian approach which Thérèse promoted.

I read this book in an afternoon, totally absorbed. I would recommend it heartily.