WHO IS ALCUIN?

Alcuin of York (b. circa 735) was a renowned educator and cleric known for his holiness and wisdom. He was charged by Emperor Charlemagne with the simple task of overseeing the entire educational and cultural reforms of all of Europe.

Alcuin understood that his reforms needed to begin with the formation of the imagination through a robust and immediate contact with reality before being able to live a life governed by logic and reason, all of which necessarily precedes any fruitful apostolic life of charity. His first act therefore was to call for the forests of Europe to be stocked with boar and deer.  By inculcating an ‘outdoor culture’ he not only provided the practical requirements of learning (brushes from boar hair and paper from deer skin) he more importantly established a poetic culture—one wedded to reality.

He next established centers of learning, which focused—almost solely—on a careful and exacting copying of ancient texts. Alcuin understood the paradoxical truth that culture can only be advanced by looking to the past.  By appreciating and preserving the richness of the Catholic intellectual, spiritual, and cultural tradition, Alcuin was able to set a solid foundation for its future development.

Lastly, Alcuin understood that man is a composite being, and that any truths learned needed to be integrated into all aspects of daily living, and the best way to teach such an integration is through the cultivation of authentic friendshipamicitia.  Friendship between student and teacher is the only context for the full reception of the faith.

Importantly, this tripartite strategy for cultural/educational reform echoes and reinforces the metaphysical succession of being, knowing, and acting. This, in turn, implies that there is an integration to be sought in prayer, belief, and living—a threefold unity of liturgy, doctrine, and catechesis which is rooted in the mystery that is at the very heart of our Catholic faith, namely the Most Holy Trinity.

Ultimately, Alcuin’s efforts resulted in the establishment of true Christian society (a ‘Christendom’), which endured for almost a thousand years as a blessed synthesis between the Gospel and culture.