Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMcClintock Biblical Encyclopedia: Abbess
Subjects in this Topic:
(Lat. abbatissa), the superior or head of an abbey of nuns, bearing the same relation to them as the abbot to the monks. An abbess possesses in general the same dignity and authority as an abbot, except that she cannot exercise the spiritual functions appertaining to the priesthood (Conc. Trident. Sess. 25, c. 7). Generally the abbess must be chosen from the nuns of the same convent; she must be sprung from legitimate marriage, must be over forty years old, and must have observed the vows for eight years. In case of emergency, however, any nun of the order who is thirty years old, and has professed five years, may be elected. In Germany fifteen abbesses (of Essen, Elten, Quedlinburg, Herford, Gandersheim, etc.) had formerly the right of sending a representative to the German Diet, and possessed a kind of episcopal jurisdiction, which they exercised through an official. After the Reformation the superiors of several German abbeys, which were changed into Protestant institutions of ladies living in common, retained the title “abbess.” SEE ABBEY; SEE ABBOT.
SUPPLEMENTAL FROM VOLUME 11:
the female superior of a body of nuns. The office of abbess was elective and for life (triennial abbesses, however are mentioned belonging to years so late as 1565, 1583). An abbess was restricted to one monastery; was bound to render obedience to the bishop in all things; and was subject to be deprived for misconduct, but only upon report of the bishop to the king. She was bound, also, to give account of monastic property to both king and bishop was entitled to absolute obedience, possessing ample powers of discipline, even to expulsion, but could not excommunicate; neither could she give the veil or ordain. In France an abbess was not to leave her monastery, save once a year if summoned by the king, with the bishop's consent, to his presence upon monastic business. Neither was she to speak to any man except upon necessary business, and then before witnesses, and between the first hour of the day and evening. Abbesses had no power to choose confessors for themselves or for their nuns without the sanction of the ordinary. There have been instances of abbesses attending provincial synods, when they were distinguished by the pastoral staff and veil of prelacy (conferred at sixty years of age). The dress of an abbess in the 12th century consisted only of a long white tunic with close sleeves, probably of linen, and a black surtout of equal length with sleeves large and loose, and a hood drawn up so as to cover the head completely.