Działalność pisarska polskich zakonów żeńskich w dobie baroku

Abstract

This article presents the literary accomplishments of Polish nuns in the 17th and 18th centuries. These cloistered writings experienced their height of development at The Order of the Carmelite Nuns in Cracow. Literature was also a pursuit of the female Benedictines of the Chełmno congregation, the female Bernardines, Poor Clares, Sisters of St. Norbert’s Order, and Sisters of the Visitation. The nuns dealt in the writing of chronicles autobiographies, prayers, conferences, spiritual songs, and other religious works. In addition to their literary pursuits, the Sisters of the Visitation also were concerned with translation activities and both the Benedictine nuns and Sisters of the Visitation were active in the field of publishing. The Polish female orders were not only a place of spiritual contemplation, prayers, and worship but also a budding environment for the literary life.