das auffmercken in dem gebete ist dreierley̋

Abstract

Late medieval collections of exempla and parenetic texts subject inattention and distraction during Mass and prayer to much rebuke. Ensuring proper attention is thus of key concern in Stephan von Landskron’s Hymelstrasz (1460s), which gives a detailed account of the factors that are essential for good, salvific prayer. By adapting monastic attention practices to his female and lay readership, Stephan aims to enable those believers who could not understand the exact wording and content of (Latin) prayers to pray in what he deemed suitably salvific fashion. The article offers a close reading of Stephan’s argument pointing out the benefits but also some problems of his approach.