Devotion to Baby Jesus in the Medieval Tradition of Female Religiosity

The aim of this research project is to conduct the first systematic analysis of devotion to Baby Jesus in the texts referring to European female relisiosity - a particulary widespread phenomen in the Germanic area that is still relatively unexplored - from the late Middle Ages to the beginning of the modern era. The research will focus on texts referring to nuns, mystics and beguines who often made use of dolls and cradles as part of their devotion to the Infant Jesus during their prayers, visions, divine locutions and "paranormal" pregnancies.
The work will begin with a rigorous analysis of texts related to 14 European religious women (see box), focusing on those who are especially known for their devotion to Child Jesus. Subsequently, the analysis will delve into the images and devotional objects (paratextual images, frescos, dolls, cradles, infant trousseaus, and other objects of devotion to
Baby Jesus) that are closely linked to the textual dimension, thus outlining a markedly interdisciplinary investigation. In conclusion, the rituals related to the devotion to the Child will be analyzed by applying 3 interpretations (theological,
historical-literary and anthropological).
The aim is to explain the history of a cult that has not yet enjoyed specific attention and whose coordinates still appear to be obscure and elusive.