Exordium: A Program of Reflection and Study on the Values of the Cistercian Reform

Michael Casey developed this program for use in reflecting on the origins of the Cistercian order during the Ninth Centenary of the Foundation of Citeaux.

Introductory letters from the Abbots General of O.Cist and OCSO:

• Letter from the O.Cist Abbot General
• Letter from the OCSO Abbot General

Units in the program:

• Introduction to the Program
• Unit 1: Historical Context of the Founding of Citeaux
• Unit 2a: The Founders – Robert, Alberic and Stephen
• Unit 2b: The Founders – charts, diagrams, primary sources
• Unit 3: Primitive Cistercian Documents
• Unit 4: Reading the Exordium Parvum
• Unit 5: Reading the Charter of Charity
• Unit 6: The Paternity of St. Benedict
• Unit 7: Unanimity
• Unit 8: Austerity
• Unit 9: Liturgy
• Unit 9b: Liturgy chart
• Unit 10: Communion

This program has been written by Father Michael Casey OCSO for private use by the communities of the Cistercian family and for that purpose may be freely reproduced and translated. Otherwise, all rights are reserved. The translation of the primitive documents used in the English edition is by Fr Chrysogonus Waddell OCSO. This is copyright material and is used with permission.