What set the Cistercian order apart from other monastic movements in the twelfth century?

The definition of Monasticism is ‘the rule or system of life in a monastery’. This Lindisfarne, Book of Kells quote represents this definition clearly ‘Daily life in a monastery focuses on contemplation and the practical Christian organisation of aid (good works) to the socially disadvantaged within society and as the guardian of civilization’. . In the first account of monasticism in the 300s, monks and nuns were hermits who lived alone among the desert as well as the other many early Christians that moved also to the desert to become closer to God. Many would go to pray, fast, study scriptures and spend hours of silence in meditation. These early Christians followed the figures St Anthony of Egypt and St Paul of Thebes.

Luxury played an immense role in medieval Catholicism by taking the focus from God and placing it on the acquisition of riches and glory, which is shown by these sources: The Apology by Bernard of Clairvaux, The Book of Suger by The Abbot Suger and Guilty Pleasures: Luxury in the Middle Ages. These sources demonstrate the exorbitant manner that the churches and monasteries were being built in during that time. This not only drew attention away from the real reason for these buildings, but also was a form of idolatry for these monks, despite the honest intentions of some of them, including the Abbot Suger. Each source lends different insight into the corruption of the church during this medieval period.

When thinking about a medieval monastery the first thing that comes to mind is the origin of the word monastery which comes from the Greek monos, meaning alone. Monasticism in itself is a way of life that is devoted to God in seclusion. A large part of monasticism is isolation, not only from the neighbors but from family. When taking the vows to be a monk one not only completely devotes ones life to God but all friends, family and earthly possessions are left behind. Taking the vows of monasticism takes brutal dedication and severe strength. What pushed Guibert of Nogent into monasticism is that his mother withdrew from the world after his father’s death. During that time he was left alone and

St. Benedict was an incredible monk that created 12 monasteries and was an abbot for many years. St. Benedict was destined for greatness when he was young and was able to pray for a vase to be fixed. He preformed many miracles and was a man that has greatly impacted Catholicism. He created a Rule that monks, and everybody else in the catholic community should live by. Some rules that relate to my life that I have found are rules about clothing, rank, humility, obedience, and serious faults. Along with finding rules that relate to my life, I have found some rules that would be a challenge for me but would improve my life are amount of food consumed, silence, prayer, repent for reproofs, and impossible tasks.

In the eleventh century, “there was a host of monasteries who received exemptions from the jurisdiction of bishops, for which they made a payment to Rome, and associated themselves with Cluny. Cluny began to bring under its leadership other Benedictine monasteries, which had been isolated, to form a congregation of monasteries. Many Cluniac monks became bishops, and Cluniac abbots attended diocesan and provincial synods. In this time period, popes Clement II, Gregory VII, and Urban II were Cluniac monks.”

A monastery is a place or building or complex of building that consists of domestic quarters and workplace for monastics, monks, and nuns. It is a place for prayers which could be a chapel, church, or temple. They support themselves in several ways by selling goods, donations; funds from organizations Monastery was founded at the end of the third century and most of the monasteries were allowed to get married and own properties. In the old and new testament monastery was not included in the scriptures. The person who lives a monastic life was called a monk which means “alone”. In the earlier time monks lived alone and in the desert at the beginning. They used to withdraw completely from society, part to run away from the emperor because whoever

The Rule of St. Benedict is quite interesting when considering life at a monetary. The rule gives incredible insight of how the monastery functions, and it’s entirely being nothing like what one would expect it to be like. The rule of St, Benedict is rules that everyone should try to live by, but its ok if one doesn’t. The rule of St. Benedict had some uncompromising rules that are rigid to live by, and some that are not as rigid. In this essay it will be explained which rules I found would be somewhat easy to live by, and then some I found to be quite strenuous.

This type of practice links back to the papacy’s connections with monasticism. The Jesuits, Dominicans, Franciscans, and the Augustinians are several of the Catholic monastic orders with them being the most known. Roman Catholicism links back to the age of the apostles, especially with one figure Peter. St. Peter. This individual was considered the first pope and every pope after him was considered his spiritual successor.

During the medieval period, the Catholic faith was one of the largest practiced religions, if not the largest. When one can encompass the wide range of power and influence, as the Church had done, it can eventually become difficult to maintain absolute control. That was the case for the Catholic Church as it dealt with heresy and heretics, as is evident in the readings from Michael Goodich, and Robert Ian Moore. In this essay, I will discuss how the Chruch’s treatment of heresy, and treatment towards the heretics, was a means for them maintain control and power within the Church.

I was forced to leave the nuns after only 18 months of education and had to stay with my father. At this point I began to see visions of Jesus, I discovered the true meaning of original sin and I felt as if I had become, at least for a moment, in full communion with god. In 1535, after I had recovered from my illness, I joined the Carmelite order in the Convent at Avila. The Carmelite order was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who I formed a close bond with after my mother's death. While at the convent of the Carmelite nuns in Avila I saw that it had become so relaxed that all spiritual meaning had been lost. The original goals of the monastery were to protect and strengthen the spirit and practice of prayer. When I was at the convent wealthy guests came in at their leisure and many of the nuns cared more about impressing their guests than prayer and dedication to god. While at the convent, I was struck down with malaria and almost died. After I recovered I saw the fault in the ways of the convent and sought to reform them. In 1560 I met a priest of the Franciscan order called St Peter of Alcantara. He urged me to pursue my idea and reform the

What? The writings are an account of St. Benedict of Nursia (ca 480-563), who was considered the father of western monasticism. Also Benedict is considered the founder of Benedict order, and is the organizer of the monastic community. He performs a miracle in Rome, he restores an Earth-form weed sitter, then becomes more famous. He writes a book that wants to cure the sick and give food to the poor. These writings are accounts of the spiritual workings and miracles performed by Benedict, an effort by Saint Gregory to show a spiritual

“The Benedictine Tradition is a gentle, non-violent revolution that can bring about change in a world immersed in violence. Colleges, such as St. Scholastica, are in the deep, rich current of this Benedictine Tradition because it has absorbed a monastic intuition about the presence of God, a present of God in a world that is tempted to believe human fulfillment can come about only if we forget about God,” Demetrius Dumm writes in his article titled Benedictine Intuition: A Gentle Revolution. It is so easy to focus on human fulfillment, and forget about God. In this essay, I will analyze this quote, what it means to me and The College of Saint Scholastica, relate this quote back to two (hospitality and stewardship) of the five Benedictine values that this college so proudly accepts as their own, and discuss how one might find themselves joining this nonviolent revolution.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola’s life is crucial to the development of religion in Europe, especially during the time period of 1450-1648. Inigio began gaining recognition when he was eighteen years old when he fought for Antonio Manrique de Lara,

Throughout every chapter in the book, there is a rule that the Benedict of Nursia has written and created. Rules that if followed will lead to a more prosper and pure way of living. From chapter 1 to chapter 73, the rules change and contain all different sorts of fundamentals and boundaries that have been set. The rules start out by creating clear images of the types of monks there is. The monks are all different in their way of living and their philosophy’s. Cenobites reside in a monastery, under an abbot and a rule; they are the best type of monks and are the attended group for Benedicts rule. Anchorites are hermits, they have “passed beyond the first fervor of monastic life”(page 20). Anchorites live a more solitary life. Sarabaites live in groups with no rule or abbot; they create their own paths and are influenced

During the time period that The Letters of Abelard and Heloise, the main religious power was the catholic church. Most of Europe were catholic and followed the Pope’s guidance. Going alongside the Pope and the catholic church, there were monks and nuns. Monks and nuns practiced abstinence, as long as not being able to get married. When a citizen thought that they have wronged God, then they felt like they had to join a monastery. The belief was that it would bring you closer to God because of their devotion the church. Religion was even see in the education that the rich received. During the Sixteenth-Century there was more availability for