A Short Pictorial History of Monasticism

The Hermits

(from the beginning of Christianity)

The hermits were men who renounced all earthly affairs.  They went into the desert to flee temptation and to anything that might distract them from their passion for their faith.  "They were called eremites, a Greek word meaning 'dwellers in the desert.'  [Their dedication to holy lives began to attract disciples, and thus these hermits] began to gather in small, unregulated groups. These were not communities in the strict sense because each hermit followed his own discipline." (Compton's, s.v. "Monks and Monasticism")

 

 

St. Anthony, the Father of Monasticism

(end of the 3rd century - beginning of the 4th century)
St. Anthony became a model for the other monks.  One day in church he heard the words of Matthew 19:21:  "If you wish to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions, give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then, come and follow me."  He sold all his possessions and gave the money to the poor.  Then he went into the desert to follow the Lord.  In the desert he battled the devil many times. However, he persevered and the Lord came to his aid.  His holiness attracted many followers, but he preferred a life of solitude.

 

 

 

St. Pachomius

(c.292-346)
St. Pachomius was born about 292.  He was converted to Christianity after serving in the Egyptian army.  He organized the first monastery in about 320 and ultimately founded 11 monasteries.  He also wrote the first set of rules for monks.  St. Benedict used the Rule of St. Pachomius when he wrote his famous Rule. (discussed below.)

 

 

Monasteries Founded by St. Pachomius
Among others, there are two monasteries in France founded by St. Pachomius which are still active today, l'abbaye de Lérins (Alpes-Maritmes) and l'abbaye de Ligugé (Vienne).

 

 

St. Benedict

(c.480-547)
St. Benedict was born about 480.  He began his monastic life as a hermit, but like St. Anthony he attracted many disciples.  After failing twice to gather his monks into groups, he successfully established a monastery at Monte Cassino, and he wrote Regla Monachorum (The Rule of the Monks) about 537.  The Rule of St. Benedict has been the principal guide for monastic life ever since, earning for St. Benedict the title, "father of western monasticism."  Benedict's Rule was based on the principals of prayer and work.  St. Benedict died during prayer in 547.

A Medieval painting of St. Benedict.

St. Scholastica

The twin sister of St. Benedict, she founded an order of nuns who follow the Rule.

Monte Cassino, Italy

(Destroyed during World War II)

 

Incipit of a manuscript of

Regla Monachorum

Manuscript showing

St. Benedict giving his Rule to two monks

 

 

Benedictine Spirituality and Influence
Benedict fashioned his Rule, and therefore the life of his monks, around the principles of Prayer and Work.  Work varied according to the abilities of the monk and the needs of the monastery.  However, it clearly included the copying of the manuscripts that today give us the information we have regarding Medieval chant.  To see some examples of some of these manuscripts take a look at the topic Notation.  Prayer was fashioned around what we call the Divine Office and Mass.  These topics are explained under their respective headings.