Christian Monasticism: Life During The Middle Ages

Christian monasticism is the practice of devoted individuals who dedicate their lives to solitary Christian worship. During the middle Ages, Monasticism became a popular religious way of life throughout Europe. The practices and beliefs systems which developed during the rise of Monasticism greatly affected life within the Catholic Church and its position in medieval society. Monasticism helped shaped society as we know it today.

Monasticism is a religious practice where people (originally men) live a life bound by practices, typically vows of celibacy, obedience and poverty (Class notes 1, 2016). The word Monasticism implies living alone without a spouse which became a socially and historically crucial feature of the monastic life. To

Some of these orders include The Benedictine (or Black) Monks, the Cistercian Monks also known as the White monks, the Carthusian Monks who were the silent monks, the Dominican and Franciscan Monks who lead simple lives usually travelling around preaching and caring for the poor and sick, and Augustine Monks, including the Gilbertines (Alchin, 2015).

There were many saints who contributed to the rise of Monasticism e.g. Saint Anthony of Egypt, Saint Pachomius, Saint Basil, Saint Patrick and Saint Benedict. St Anthony of Egypt (251-356) is considered the "father of monasticism" as he embodied Eremitic monasticism, living alone in prayer and fasting for religious or spiritual reasons (Class notes 2, 2016). Saint Anthony popularized the movement of Eremitic monasticism by showing people how "it prepared one to fight off the demons of the world" (Schmitt, 2011). Meanwhile Saint Pachomius (290-346) founded the Cenobitical life developing rules that allowed monks to live in close proximity and

Monastics have been responsible for creating, preserving, and enhancing religious institutions for learning, medical treatment, and political and military function all while dividing their time between prayer and work (Bharati & Johnston, 2016). If monastics did not occur during the middle ages, schools and books would not exist, our medical establishments would not have been created, and military and political functions would not be at the standards they are today. The impact of monasticism has greatly affected the world and continues to influence us today.

In conclusion monasticism is the practice of devoted individual who dedicate their lived to the worship of God. After the rise of monasticism in the middle Ages, it became a popular religious way of life throughout Europe and the practices and beliefs systems which developed during it rises greatly affected life within the Catholic Church. Monasticism has greatly affect life in today’s society and continues to influence us