1. Lecture 8 Western Monasticism
Dr. Ann T. Orlando
26 September 2018

2. Introduction Spiritual progress Early Monasticism Irish Monasticism
Benedictines

3. The Idea of Spiritual Progress
Emphasis on how to follow the Way of Jesus
Development of approaches to spirituality
Biblically based, usually with a highly allegorical interpretation
Intended to be accessible to everyone,
Frequently the basis for Patristic homilies
Well defined steps in approach to spiritual life
Pilgrimages
Monasticism

4. Pilgrimages A way to become closer to Jesus and the martyrs
Started with remembrance of acts of martyrs and celebrations at their burial places
After Constantine, more far reaching
People who could not give up their life to enter monastery
Needed some special way to demonstrate their faith
Also way to atone for sins
Starts with Helena, Constantine’s mother, in Jerusalem
Remember, 5th C pilgrimage nothing like 21st C pilgrimage
Dangerous: very high probability of death
Expensive
Very arduous and tedious (lasting year or more)
Most famous early record of pilgrimages by Egeria, 4th C woman
Born in Spain or France
Spent 3 years on pilgrimage
Her journal gives earliest description of liturgies in Jerusalem during Holy Week

5. Monasticism before Christianity: Therapeutae
Records of 1st C AD Jewish monastic existence in Egyptian desert
Philo describes their way of life in On the Contemplative Life
Both men and women
Semi-hermits
Devoted to life of study, asceticism and prayer
Live alone is separate huts, come together once a week
Wrote songs and hymns
Jerome in Illustrious Men has a chapter on Philo
He thought Philo was writing about early Christians in monasteries

6. Development of Christian Monasticism: Egyptian Monasticism Early 4th C
Desert Monks (from Greek for solitary), primarily in Egypt: anchorites withdrawn from society
Most famous: Anthony ( ),
St. Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, wrote a very influential life of Anthony, example: Augustine Confessions , Book VIII
Communal monasticism
Many attracted to this way of life, come together in groups
Rule of St. Pachomius (286 – 346)
Pachomius’ sister, Mary, established an Egyptian monastery for women with their own Rule

7. Later 4th C Monastic Developments
Three Cappadocians: Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory Nazianzan
Basil’s Rule for Monks
But the smartest, most spiritual one, “The Teacher”, was Macrina (sister of Basil and Gregory of Nyssa) established a convent in her home
Augustine organizes his clergy in Hippo as in a monastery, writes a Rule, late 4th C

8. St. Martin of Tours ( )
As bishop of Tours founded the first monastery in Gaul outside Tours at Marmoutier
St. Martin gathered hermits living nearby into a semi-hermetic group, living a common, very harsh, Rule
Monastery became the largest and most important in Gaul
Destroyed by Normans in 800
Rebuilt and then destroyed in French Revolution
Referred to as the glory of Gaul

9. Early 5th C Western Monastic Developments: John Cassian (360-435)
Born in France, spent time as an anchorite in Egypt
Brought Pachomius’ Rule back with him
Made it available in West in his Divine Institutes and Conferences
Wrote against Augustine in the Pelagian controversy
Revered as a saint in the East, but not the West (except at St. Victor Monastery in Marseilles)

10. What’s a Rule Prescribes the way of life for the community
Includes what prayers are said when
Defines balance between work, study, prayer
Community organization (abbot, monks, novices) and how leaders are selected
Process for acceptance into community
How new communities are created
Relation between community and diocese

11. 6th C European Monasteries: Religious and Educational Light after Fall of Rome
Irish Monasticism
Benedictines

12. Roman-English Frontier and Early English Christianity
Julius Caesar first to send expedition to England in 55 BC
Roman influence in southern Britain, not in Scotland; Hadrian’s Wall built 122 AD
Recall that Constantine the Great was born in England
Roman troops brought Christianity with them in 4th C
Native English (Picts, Angles, Scots) population never converted
After Fall of Rome in 410, Roman troops leave England

13. Development of Early Irish Christianity
Pelagius was an English monk
In fact, most of English hierarchy supported Pelagius
Pope Celestine (same pope who sided with Cyril over Nestorius) in 430 sent a new bishop to England and one to Ireland, Palladius
Palladius is from Gaul
Charged with destroying Pelagianism in England and proselytizing Ireland
Palladius’ mission was not successful

14. St. Patrick ( )
Born on Roman-Scottish frontier to prominent Gallic ‘French’ Roman family
Captured by Irish marauders in 406; spends 6 years as a slave in Ireland
During this time he has a conversion experience
Escapes and returns to family in England
Goes to Gaul for training in priesthood
Monastery of St. Lerins
Noted for study of Augustine
Returns to England as part of group headed by St. Germain sent by Pope Celestine after Palladius
Patrick begs to be sent as a missionary to Ireland in 433
Has difficulty with Pelagian bishops in England
Established many Christian communities in Ireland, monasteries and convents
St. Brigit
Latin as school language in Ireland
Wrote numerous prayers, letters, Confession
Died 493

15. Irish Christianity
Bishops in Ireland and England did not become civil administrators after Romans
Never were Roman administrators in Ireland
Native pagan tribes took over in England; Romans in England were occupiers, not colonizers
English (Pelagian) Christianity seems to have disappeared with Roman authorities during the 5th C
Ireland not affected by barbarian invasions until Vikings in 800
Irish communities developed around monasteries with bishop/abbot as leader: Iona is center of learning
Developed Christian customs for 150 years nearly completely isolated from Rome
Different calculation for Easter
Discipline (penance, private confession)
Organization: abbots rather than bishops
Strong missionary spirit, founded most important Irish monastery at Iona in Scotland led by St. Columba in 563
Monks from Iona evangelize Europe from 7th through the 8th C
In later 6th and early 7th C: St. Columbanus heads a mission to Italy??!!

16. St. Benedict of Nursia (480-547)
Deeply influenced by Pachomius via John Cassian
Lived during the attempted reconquest of Western Roman Empire by Justinian the Great
Established an order of Monks, now known as Benedictines, governed by his Rule
Founded a monastery outside of Rome, Monte Casino
Sister, Scholastica, founded an order of nuns to follow the Rule
Most popular religious order in West until 13th C (Dominicans and Franciscans)

17. Benedict’s Rule
Note that God brings good works to perfection, not our efforts
Focus on Scripture, especially Psalms
A school for the Lord’s service
Jacob’s ladder and steps of humility leading to perfect love of God
Rules for abbot; how abbot is chosen
Other positions in monastery
Cycle of work and prayer
Discipline
Reception of guests

18. Late 6th and 7th Century Parallel Missionary Activities in Western Europe
Parallel, independent missionary activities from Rome going Northwest and Ireland (Iona) going Southeast
Irish monks in 6th and 7th Century go to France, Germany, Holland to preach Christianity; follow Rhine to Southern Germany then across Alps into northern Italy
St. Columban(us) travels extensively through Europe establishing Irish style monasteries, including one in Bobbio, Northern Italy (d. 615)
His biography is written by a monk in Irish monastery in northern Italy
Meanwhile, missionaries from Rome are also trying to convert Arian and Pagan Germanic tribes in what is now France
Conversion of Chlodwech (Clovis) 496
Pope St. Gregory the Great sends Augustine to England 597
Pope Honorius I (625), a Benedictine, grants Monastery at Bobbio exemption from oversight by local bishop
Irish refer to Pope as the Abbot of Rome
Differences between Irish and Roman Churches resolved at Synod of Whitby, 664, in favor or Roman customs

19. Map of Early Monasteries

20. European Debt Owed to Monasteries
Both Irish and Western Mediterranean monasteries preserved literacy for Europe
Copying Scripture key work of monks
Preserving works of Fathers important tasks
Preserving Latin and Greek philosophy
Replaced schools as places of learning
Missionary zeal flowed out from monasteries
‘Democratic’ institutions
Preserved and developed art
Oasis from turmoil of political and social disruption (dark ages) associated with fall of Roman Empire in West
During this lecture, a new force in the world: Islam

21. The Pope Who Brought the Two Monastic Movements Together: Pope St
The Pope Who Brought the Two Monastic Movements Together: Pope St. Gregory the Great
Pope St. Gregory Great ( )
Benedictine
Wrote a life of Benedict
Reformed Roman clergy around monastic model
Reformed the liturgy and Church music
Encouraged Irish monks, St. Columbanus, to found monasteries in northern Italy
Earliest extant life of Gregory written by an English nun, 8th C
Feast Day is September 3

22. Important Liturgical Contributions of Pope St. Gregory the Great
Standardized and promulgated Latin liturgy
Standardized sacramentary used throughout the Middle Ages
Set Ash Wednesday for beginning of Lent
Encouraged singing of hymns and songs
‘Gregorian’ chant named in honor of him

23. Isadore of Seville ( )
Became bishop of Seville, succeeding his brother in that post
Convinced the Goths to abandon Arianism in Spain
Emphasized learning and education throughout Spain
Presided at 4th Council of Toledo, among other things encouraged foundation of seminaries in all diocese
Sometimes referred to as the last of the Latin Fathers

24. Isadore’s Encyclopedia (Etymologiae)
Epitome of all classical learning
Written in 20 sections covering
7 liberal arts
Medicine, Agriculture, Cosmology, Architecture, Law, Theology
One of most widely read and distributed books throughout the Middle Ages

25. Assignments
Benedict’s Rule, available at
St. Columban, Boat Song
Two papers due on Oct 10, one of which MUST be on Benedict’s Rule