Restauration monastique et reconstitution des trésors de reliques au xixe siècle : l’exemple de l’abbaye Saint-Martin de Ligugé et de ses fondations

Abstract

If the monastic restorations undertaken in the 19th century reflect a desire to maintain a liturgical and spiritual line of descent from the monasticism of preceding periods, especially the Middle Ages, the preoccupation of the refounders was not limited only to these aspects, but examined all aspects of ancient monastic life. The recuperation and renewed celebration of the relics that were preserved took on new importance, particularly in the young congregation of Solesmes. Taking as a point of departure the example of a fragment of the “True Cross” that came from the ancient Benedictine abbey of Noyon and ended up in the abbey of Ligugé, as well as other relics obtained or acquired by Solesmes and its foundations (Silos, Saint-Wandrille) before the expulsions in 1901, one better understands what motivated Benedictine abbots to obtain these fragments for their new reliquaries. Far from expressing any morbid taste for these objects, as is often supposed, the reconstitution of the relic treasuries was inspired by a wider vision, a will to reunite with an often idealised past, but also to influence the religious life and even the society of its time.