Amadeus of Lausanne

Biographical Details:
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Biography:
Amadeus of Lausanne was a significant figure in the 12th century, known for his deep ties with both religious and secular leaders of his time. Born in 1110, he was closely associated with the Cistercian Order, having spent time at the Abbey of Clairvaux under the guidance of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. It was there that he developed a strong relationship with Pope Eugene III, a fellow Cistercian, which later shaped his influence within the Church. Amadeus became Bishop of Lausanne in 1145, a position he held until his death in 1159. During his tenure, he was a staunch supporter of Pope Lucius II and maintained a close relationship with King Conrad III of Germany, often working to mediate between secular and ecclesiastical powers.
Amadeus also played a pivotal role in the life of Humbert III, Count of Savoy. When Humbert’s father, Amadeus III, Count of Savoy, died during the Second Crusade, Amadeus of Lausanne became the young count’s legal guardian. He was entrusted with overseeing Humbert’s education and governance, a responsibility he carried out with great care.
Amadeus had a complex relationship with Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. While he maintained loyalty to the papacy, he also navigated the political pressures of the emperor, who sought to exert influence over the Church. His diplomatic skills were vital in maintaining the delicate balance between the competing interests of Frederick and the papal authority.
Throughout his life, Amadeus remained dedicated to the Cistercian values of humility and service, which informed his leadership in both religious and secular matters. His legacy is remembered as one of devotion to both the spiritual and political spheres of medieval Europe.
Extant Writings:
- Homilies on the Blessed Virgin Mary (eight sermons)
- extant letters on ecclesiastical matters
Quotes and Excerpts:
Mary, the New Eve:
“She joins the Head to his Body, in that she unites Christ to the Church and pours into the other members the life that she was the first to receive. For it was fitting that, as death entered the world because of a woman, so life should renter the world through a woman. And it was fitting that, just as all were dying in Eve, so all should come back to life in Mary. The former, having unhappily believed the serpent’s words, prepared the venom of death. The latter, crushing the serpent’s head, administered the antidote of life to all, to slay death and restore life.” –Homiliae in laudem beatae Mariae Virginis, Homily 7. Available in the Corpus Christianorum Continuatio Mediaevalis, vol. 9, ed. Dom Gabriel Théry.
On Mary, Queen of Heaven:
“O Blessed [Virgin], you have your joy. Your desire has been fulfilled, and Christ, the crown of your head, has given you the sovereignty of heaven through grace, the governance of the world through mercy, and dominion over the underworld through vengeance.” –Homiliae in laudem beatae Mariae Virginis, Homily 7. Available in the Corpus Christianorum Continuatio Mediaevalis, vol. 9, ed. Dom Gabriel Théry.
“In God’s provident design, she was called Mary, that is, “Star of the Sea”, that by her name she might declare what she shows even more clearly in reality. For because she has gone up to heaven to reign with her Son, robed in beauty, and so equally robed in strength, she has girded herself (with strength] to calm the mighty raging sea with a mere nod of her head (cf. Ps 92:1, 4).” –Amadeus of Lausanne, Homily 8; SC 72, 212-16
On the Intercession of Mary:
“From heaven the all-glorious Virgin comes to the aid of us below, and with her all-powerful prayer she drives out all evils and obtains all goods. For all those who ask her from the bottom of their hearts, she makes herself a protection in this present life and in the life to come. Recalling the purpose for which she became the Mother of the Redeemer, she gadly receives the prayers of every sinner and intercedes with her Son for all the faults of the repentant.” –Homiliae in laudem beatae Mariae Virginis, Homily 7. Available in the Corpus Christianorum Continuatio Mediaevalis, vol. 9, ed. Dom Gabriel Théry.
“Willingly she hears their prayers and the prayers of all who cry to her about whatever troubles them, and, by begging her Son, this merciful Mother turns aside every evil from them…. But we need to observe and carefully consider with what great affec-tion, with what great kindness she embraces and loves those joined to her in purity of spirit while, as has often been said, she never ceases by her intervention to deliver wicked and criminal men from the death of sin and from eternal suffering.” –Amadeus of Lausanne, Homily 8; SC 72, 212-16