MonasticismMonasticism| Monasticism in the Christian West had its origins
in the need to regularize communal religious life; it has multiple "founders"
who established various rules, some of which
were used by St. Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-550). Benedict fled civilization
to found a hermitage near Subiaco. His reputation for sanctity attracted
disciples, and, as their numbers grew, he migrated to Monte Cassino. The
increasingly large foundation needed regulation, so he composed a set of
rules, the Rule
of St. Benedict, based on Eastern exemplars; a prime example of the
Rule's precepts is the horarium, or schedule.
The Rule, originally followed by Benedictine monastics, eventually
became the standard for all of the Western orders (with modifications in
some cases).
Far from being monolithic, Western monasticism experienced several stages of reconfiguration and reform, most notably the tenth-century Cluniac reform, the eleventh-century Cistercian reform, and the founding of the last major orders--the Franciscans (1210), the Dominicans (1216), and the Jesuits (1534). Other orders dating from the medieval period are the Carthusians and the Premonstratensians, although they can be considered as exemplars of strict Benedictine monasticism. There were female monastics from the beginning, the first being St. Scholastica, sister of St. Benedict. With the exception of the Jesuits, all of the major orders had sister orders, although the Cistercians eventually withdrew authorization from female orders. This did not stop the growth of the established convents, although steps were taken to limit their size. Some women countered these official moves by establishing non-monastic houses for groups of women, eventually called Beguines, who chose to lead a life of service, especially in hospices, and prayer. One of the most famous of the Beguines was Hadewijch, a Flemish poet and mystic. Some monastic websites: Cîteaux (Cistercian Mother House) Abbey of Regina Laudis (Benedictine Convent) Holy Cross Abbey (Cistercian--Berryville, VA) Monastery of Christ in the Desert Revised January 26 2009 |