Politics

6/10/11

Monasticism came from the Greek word “Monos” meaning “alone”. This became an integral part of Christianity from the 3rd century on. Throughout the years this life style started to get more and more complex, which also varied from country to country and from monastery to monastery. For example, The Celtic Monasticism was a very lively and intellectual tradition while the Italian Monasticism was far more simple and rude.

The rule of Saint Benedict brought about yet another change which started in the early 6th century, this time in the form of European Monasticism. Saint Benedict created a collection of early monastic-rules, later to be turned into a book. Some chapters though only had a few sentences vs. other chapters. This book has 73 chapters which explain the ideal monastic life.

Monks were the first groups of people to live the Ideal Monastic life style. “They were to live a family life in the community under the direction of a freely elected father.”(Cultures and Values) The purpose of this was so that they can become schooled in religious perfection. Monks also had to give up all possessions. While living in one monastery they were not to wander and also were required to be obedient to the abbot, which required the Monks to not be married.

The Monks daily life was a balance of common prayer, study and work which started around two am and ended around six pm. During this time throughout the day at certain times, prayer and study were practiced regardless of if it were in the morning or afternoon. Though this changed on “Feast” days and also during the summer when they would get up earlier and work later. A life style of this harsh nature was very normal for people of this time period.

Women also became part of the Monastic life style which became very popular among them. Though most women were able to get out of the poverty life style that they were living in, they also had to give up marriage in order to serve God. Some of the more...