The Rise of Monasticism

 

The Beginning

 The Rise of Monasticism was due to the desire of imitating Christ and another way of imitating Christ was by dying as a martyr. Some of the ways Monks imitated Christ was by leaving into the desert and to become secluded, just like Christ when he went off into the desert for forty days and forty nights.^1^ Christian Monasticism would begin because of one Gospel passage on a Sunday morning.^2^ "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me"(Mt 19:21) Monasticism was believed to spread because of Antony, who was seeking to become a monk. monks main goal was to "meditate on the Lord with no distractions".^3^  During this time Monks practiced by themselves in seclusion, and there was no orderly structure. Monasticism was spreading quickly but there was no system in place until Poachomius came along. Poachomius would establish monasteries that would home up to 40 monks and have a superior. Monks would live a selfless life by giving up personal items and materialistic things. They would also make things, to sell them and the profit they made would go to the community. As Monasticism was becoming very popular, monasteries began to grow too big for the Abbot to take care of too many people. "The accumulation of property and wealth needed to run the monastery destroyed the ideal of poverty."^4^  Monasticism was growing too fast and would bring lots of attention and brought quite a crowd.  St Athanasius who was the bishop of Alexandria knew Antony and would write a book called "Life of Antony". This book would attract many westerners to monastic life.^5^ One unique aspect from monasticism in the west was that they would bring monks to the priesthood. 

Benedict of Nursia also known as The Father of Western Monastics because his rule in the western area was dominant.^6^ Benedict would establish three rules which are moderation, prayer/work, and socialization. The Benedictine monks are very dedicated to prayer and work, they have to wake up at 3pm and read the liturgy of the hours. The Benedictine monks took vows of poverty, conversion of life and to obedience. There is also great importance in the leaders of the monasteries because they are the ones responsible for the monks as spiritual Father.  The position as a superior was very important in the community, and one of the most important people in the dioceses. "Benedict sets scripture and insists upon silence as the space in which  God's fruitful word can be flourished."^7^ Benedict truly had a huge impact in the community especially by all the rules he set for one to receive holiness. Benedict never realized how much of an impact he would make on western civilizations. the monks would preserve the classical manuscripts. "They also developed art, architecture and invented the writing down of music."^8^ Monasticism would have a huge impact in history, for example in the future the Church Fathers would have a huge impact within the Catholic Church. Many saints and bishops were monks. 

^1^ Vidmar, John. "The Catholic Church Through the Ages": A History. New York: Paulist Press, 2014.80
^2^ CHRYSSAVGIS, JOHN. “The Desert and the World: Learning from the Desert Fathers and Mothers.” Greek Orthodox Theological Review 53, no. 1–4 (Spring-Winter 2008): 141–54. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=59798658&authtype=cookie,cpid&custid=s9245834&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
^3^ Vidmar, John. "The Catholic Church Through the Ages" 81 
^4^ Vidmar, John. "The Catholic Church Through the Ages" 81
^5^ Vidmar, John. "The Catholic Church Through the Ages" 82
^6^  Vidmar, John. "The Catholic Church Through the Ages" 83
^7^ Heisey, Daniel J. “Verdi’s Requiem and Benedict’s Rule.” Sacred Music 137, no. 4 (Winter 2010): 32–38. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=59978097&authtype=cookie,cpid&custid=s9245834&site=ehost-live&scope=site. 
^8^ Vidmar, John. "The Catholic Church Through the Ages" 87