Among the famous schools of the late Middle Ages, the Windesheim monastery (Windesheim), located on the territory of Renania, near the city of Mainz, became famous. She gave the world one of the most remarkable spiritual manuals ever written by a human hand, "On the Imitation of Christ" (Imitatio Christi). According to authoritative researchers, its author is the Flemish hieromonk Thomas of Kempis (1379-1471) In his writings and sermons, he describes monastic life, its virtues, life and sufferings of Christ, the Mother of God, mystical union with God. They feel the influence of predecessors, especially St.. Bernard . Father Thomas, like other ascetics of this monastery, expresses his thoughts in the form of advice and sayings.