1. Roots of Monasticism and the Rule of St Benedict
McKay

2. Christian Monasticism
Christianity began and spread as a city religion
All-consuming materialism, gross sexual promiscuity, political corruption, etc.
Once the Christians figured out that they would be around for a while, they realized that it would be difficult to live the Christian life in the midst of the decadence
They rejected the values of roman society

3. 4th and 5th Centuries
Christians went from being the persecuted minority to the state-affiliated majority
Martyrdom disappeared for the most part and a new brand of it developed
Extreme asceticism
St Anthony of Egypt became the father of monasticism
Established Eremitical Monasticism
He went to Alexandria during the last persecution to strengthen the faith of the martyrs and probably to be martyred himself but he survived

4. Eremitical Monasticism
Small colonies of men and women who lived in the desert as hermits
No way to know for sure how many there were because they wanted to have a hidden life known only to God
This was a break from the traditional view of religion as an urban social existence
Soon these monks and nuns were sought out as holy people and spiritual guides

5. Evolution of Monasticism
As monasticism spread to Europe it was modified because of cold winters which discouraged isolated living
Dense woods with wandering Teutonic tribes also contributed to the adjustment
Also, if hermits could communicate directly with god, what good was the church and its priests?
St Basil opposed eremitical life because it did not provide the opportunity for charity, self-sufiecience was impossible, it led to excessive individualism

6. Coenobitic Monasticism
Communal living in monasteries
Experiments in Gaul, Italy, England, and Ireland
In 540 the Roman Senator Cassiodorus retired and built a monastery on his estate that was intended to be a center of culture and learning and had a scriptorium
Monks copied both sacred and secular texts
Developed into a lasting medieval tradition

7. St Benedict of Nursia Aristocratic Roman Family- well educated
Experimented with both forms of monasticism
Established a monastery in Monte Cassino between Rome and Naples
Created the Rule of St Benedict which became the foundation for religious life in the Roman Church
Spend the day in prayer- Opus Dei

8. The Rule Chanting and praying, manual labor, study Vows
Stability- to prevent wandering
Conversion of manners- improve oneself in order to be closer to God
Obedience- complete surrender of will to the abbot
Reveal the Roman spirit in Christianity
Logic, organization, law
Egalitarian- “the abbot should avoid favoritism…. A man born free is not to be given higher rank than a slave who becomes a monk.”

9. Women and Monasticism
Women took part in eremitical monasticism but early monasteries were for men only
Soon after convents were formed where the brothers would be in charge of the material needs of the community but couldn’t eat or sleep there
Double monasteries
Beguines, anchorites, and anchoresses