To Be A Cathar

"The training to become an Ancient or Parfait was long and arduous and made more difficult by persecution. First there was a two-year period during which they were taught to gather herbs and learn their application to different illnesses, how to store them and to make decoctions of their essential oils. They were taught to observe the stars and the ways of animals and insects: in short, to observe Nature with a trained eye. They learned practical skills: how to weave, how to sow and reap crops, how to build simple houses. They did not eat meat, milk products or eggs but could eat fish. They were celibate once they had embarked on the training for priesthood but before this they married and had children.

After the two-year apprenticeship, they had to survive a forty day fast on bread and water before being accepted into the second state of preparation during which they were taught the secret lore of plants, metals and stones as well as the sciences of mathematics, astronomy and music – all this in addition to a thorough knowledge of the sacred texts of their church. These are known to have included a text called The Secret Book of John as well as the Gospel of John and another text called “The Book of Love” which was said to have been written by Jesus or Mary Magdalene and given to John and whose existence was revealed to the Inquisitors when they tortured the unfortunate people who fell into their hands.

There was also said to have been another equally treasured book called The Secret Supper or Interrogatio Iohannis (The Questions of John). During this initial period of training they wore black or dark blue robes. As the final part of their training, they were prepared as priests and taught how to administer the supreme rite of the Cathar Church that was called the Consolamentum. They administered the rite of Baptism to adults, not to infants, following the ritual they claimed to have been established by Christ’s Apostles. For these ceremonies, they wore white robes.

They travelled round the countryside in pairs, helping people in whatever way they seemed to need it: assisting the peasant with his harvest, the weaver with his cloth, the children with their education, the sick and dying with healing and comfort. They healed by the method of laying on hands. Known as “bonshommes” and “bonnes femmes” they were welcomed by peasant and lord alike because they were gentle and trustworthy and because their presence brought relief from suffering, whether physical or mental. Their aim was to put each man in touch with his own soul, to help him to trust the inner guidance of the Spirit rather than the outer authority of the Catholic Church, but they also taught people to develop new practical skills such as weaving, to read the scriptures and to improve the physical conditions of their lives.

They believed in reincarnation and in the soul’s progressive enlightenment after death. They discouraged but did not forbid the procreation of children, believing the world as it was, was a prison for the soul. They rejected the feudal system where authority rested with the Church and the feudal overlord. They rejected war and killing. They rejected the patriarchal system which debased and devalued women and could even raise the question of whether they had a soul. Not surprisingly, they were a powerful threat to the institution of the Papacy. Yet, even Bernard of Clairvaux, founder of the Cistercian Order, when he was sent by the Pope to preach against the heresy, could find no fault with their way of life."

From Esclarmonde de Foix - Her Story

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