Medieval Monasteries 10D Religious Education

Where did they come from? St Benedict was the first to start a monastery as we know it St Benedict was the first to start a monastery as we know it They grew in popularity through out the middle ages They grew in popularity through out the middle ages At the start of the 2 nd Millennium St Dominic and St Francis also started their own monasteries At the start of the 2 nd Millennium St Dominic and St Francis also started their own monasteries St Thomas Aquinas was a “Dominican Monk” St Thomas Aquinas was a “Dominican Monk”

Life in a Monastery The most important thing in the life of a Monk or Nun in a monastery is praying The most important thing in the life of a Monk or Nun in a monastery is praying They prayed a special prayer called the Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office – these services occur at the following times: They prayed a special prayer called the Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office – these services occur at the following times: Matins2am LaudsAround Dawn Prime6am Terce9am SextBefore Noon None3pm Vespers6pm ComplineBefore Bed

What else? They didn’t only pray – since they were self supporting there were lots of jobs to do: e.g. They didn’t only pray – since they were self supporting there were lots of jobs to do: e.g. Washing, Sewing, Gardening, Farming, Cleaning, Building etc. Sometimes they made money by making and selling things like Wine, Altar Breads or Church Linins Sometimes they made money by making and selling things like Wine, Altar Breads or Church Linins

Plus Education Depending on the Monastery they would often have an emphasis on learning Depending on the Monastery they would often have an emphasis on learning This meant they often had exhaustive libraries and spent much time reading and writing This meant they often had exhaustive libraries and spent much time reading and writing This was how St Thomas Aquinas spent much of his time in the Monastery This was how St Thomas Aquinas spent much of his time in the Monastery

New Zealand Monasteries Carmalite Nuns – Auckland and Christchurch Carmalite Nuns – Auckland and Christchurch Tyburn Nuns – Auckland Tyburn Nuns – Auckland Beatitude Nuns and Monks – Christchurch Beatitude Nuns and Monks – Christchurch Cistercian Monks – Takapau, Hawkes Bay Cistercian Monks – Takapau, Hawkes Bay