Within the book, “ Self And Society In Medieval France”, the author, Guibert of Nogent, gives a brief history of his life during the 12th century and shows the reader what a monastic life should look like. During this time it was hard not to see oneself fall into sin, for the temptations and vices of the world were everywhere to be seen. By joining a monastery, individuals were able to escape the sins of the world and live a virtuous life, void of the corruption and temptation. Guilbert uses his book to highlight some of the key characteristics found within a Benedictine Monastic life and also (in some parts) as an illustration of what life is like when one does not choose the life of a monk. Around this time other orders such as Cistercians …show more content…
The first step to take in walking the monastic life is to give up the luxuries of the world and become one with the church(this is what occurred with Gilbert 's mother).This was important for people at the time because as they looked at their surroundings and saw sin as far as the eye can see( a prime example of this is the city of Laon where everyone engaged in evil practice such as simony, murder, etc), they knew that their life needed to change which in turn helped push the idea of living a monastic life. Now in tandem with asceticism, Guilbert also notes that submission is key in living a good life. By submitting yourself to God’s will, you relinquish yourself of power and control of your own life, both of which that are hard to easily give up. By submitting yourself to God’s will, those seeking to live the monastic life had to not only abstain from worldly desires but go forth and do things that they simply may not have wanted to …show more content…
The Carthusian order, also known as the Order of Saint Bruno, was one of the orders that came about during the 12 century that combined the eremitical way of life( this is one of the oldest monastic ways that stresses seclusion from society) with cenobitic life( which focuses on community life). Following the Rule of Statutes, this in comparison to the Rule of St. Benedict which is followed by Benedictine Monks, Carthusian monks differed from Benedictine Monks as they lived in their own separate cells where they ate, prayed, and studied, which provided an emphasis on solitude and silence. Carthusian monks did not have any abbots, but instead only priors. The other order that emerged at this time would be the Cistercian order, which has many similarities to traditional Benedictine practices. Cistercian monks focused mainly on field work and a return to manual labor, something which had been forgotten in other orders. Leaving the house of Molesme in 1098, Cistercian Monks hoped to start their own order where the Rule of St. Benedict would be observed properly. Over time the Cistercian order grew as they began to devise structures which bound individual houses together in a way that was not done before. Differing from the Carthusians, Cistercian monks focused on three occupations: the performance of the liturgy, manual labor, and
Boniface Wimmer is regarded as one of the greatest missionaries of the nineteenth century. His mission was to establish a Benedictine monastery abroad in the United States to help the thousands of Catholic Germans who fled from their homeland in search of a better life. “Today, there are over thirty Abbeys and monasteries that take their root from Archabbot Boniface Wimmer, O.S.B.” With the grace of God, Boniface Wimmer succeeded. He was considered to be a “man on a mission.” His tenacious attitude aided him in spreading the mission of the Benedictine Order across the Atlantic Ocean. The Benedictines were seen not only as missionaries, but also as teachers and priests. The strong sense of bonding and connection within the community was vital to the Benedictine Order then, as it still is today.
In the medieval period, a monk is a person others should be able to admire for their hard work, ability to fast, and dedication to studying. Although a monk typically carries those traits, the monk in Chaucer's tale is more of a “modern man,” as he likes to call himself. Chaucer describes him as greedy, fat, and commonly rolls his eyes (A sign for someone who lusts after food and women), which is the complete opposite of what a monk normally is like. This character refuses to fast, as he claims to live like a modern man because the traditions monks live by are too old. A lesson that most can learn from the monk, is that claiming to be someone one is not for social status or money makes them seem greedy and narcissistic to
When thinking about a medieval monastery the first thing that comes to mind is the origin of the word monastery which comes from the Greek monos, meaning alone. Monasticism in itself is a way of life that is devoted to God in seclusion. A large part of monasticism is isolation, not only from the neighbors but from family. When taking the vows to be a monk one not only completely devotes ones life to God but all friends, family and earthly possessions are left behind. Taking the vows of monasticism takes brutal dedication and severe strength. What pushed Guibert of Nogent into monasticism is that his mother withdrew from the world after his father’s death. During that time he was left alone and became very rebellious. He also was drawn to the medieval reform of monasticism which gave it a more community aspect. Thirdly, literature and history became a large part of the monastery during the middle ages and Guibert wanted to be a successful writer and historian. When Guibert joined the monastery he joined a strict religious order that had come along way form the time of hermits and the reforms where relevant to him, for the most part. Guibert of Nogent became a monk because he was suited for monastic existence and to give himself the restraints and success he wanted from life.
Quinn, Patricia A. Better Than the Sons of Kings: Boys and Monks in the Early Middle Ages. (New York,
In his youth, St. Boniface encountered many priests or clerics who traveled from town to town. Through these spiritual conversations, it became evident to St. Boniface that he wanted to pursue a life with God. Eventually, after continuos begging and his fathers fatal sickness, he was sent to the care of the Monastery of Examchester. (Appleton) It is here, that St. Boniface expressed to the Abbot at the time, that he wanted to live a monastic life. The father of the monastery, after council, granted him his wish. Here is where the saint began to prove his love for God, and could begin his journey of the Christian life. After exceeding all expectations and surpassing the knowledge of his teachers, he moved to a neighboring monastery, called Nursling, whereby he studied under the influence of Abbot Winbert.(St. Boniface Church) Here he gained vast knowledge of scriptures and the spiritual exposition of the Bible. Here, he gained such a reputation that men and women from far and wide traveled to study scriptures under his guidance. At the age of 30 he was humbly ordained a priest and yet another branch of his life was fulfilled.
The epic poem, “The Lay of the Nibelungs” (1200’s), set to practice the major pillars in the code of chivalry that the Duke of Burgundy in the 14th century eventually condensed and ascribed to the Burgundian Knights: Faith, Charity, Justice, Sagacity, Prudence, Temperance, Resolution, Truth, Liberality, Diligence, Hope, and Valor. Though values bear merit, “The Lay of the Nibelungs” teaches that true worth and longevity comes from assessing the situation and applying intellect to the code, from submitting to God, and from not cheating the system (the laws and cultural norms of the time that be).
The author of The Quest of the Holy Grail addresses a significant number of spiritual and moral issues throughout his engaging story. His goal is to provide a guide to proper living in the eyes of God, and he successfully achieves this goal through the adventures of several very diverse knights of the Round Table who, through their victories and follies, show us the value of spiritual chivalry; furthermore, if we have any additional questions concerning spirituality that are not addressed in The Quest of the Holy Grail, the author suggests that we may always seek out the guidance of our wise local hermits.
...void money at all costs, but many cannot resist women or wine, all without recognizing the hypocrisy. It is important to note that while the observance of these superficial rules makes men of religion and monks think that they are getting closer to the original ideals of Christianity, they are actually straying farther from one of Christianity’s most basic principles, simplicity. Each monk points to his own sacrifices and particularities of faith, never remembering that Christ judges each based off of his own standard of charity. However, the thing which Erasmus criticizes the most about monks, and one of the biggest sources of corruption he sees in the church, that they hold the key to the confessional. They know that they hold the power to rectify a person’s relationship with God, and can abuse this power freely, despite the fact that this is highly immoral.
Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron is a series of tales written during the Late Middle Ages that is meant to entertain the reader. While the entertainment value of Boccaccio’s work in undeniable, the Decameron also provides the reader with information about society at the time, and Boccaccio’s own worldview. One of the most prevalent themes throughout the Decameron is the portrayal of clergymen and members of religious communities as negative influences on those around them, constantly behaving in a manner unfit for those who are supposed to be moral and spiritual exemplars. Throughout the tales told by the lieta brigada, many priests, and friars are portrayed as being extremely lustful and greedy, frequently indulging in sex (often with the wives of other men), and living lives more befitting of a minor lord than a monk. Those clergymen who are not portrayed as out rightly immoral are usually stupid, and are unable to stop others from acting immorally because of their ignorance. Despite this, a few of the clergymen in the story are shown as ultimately having good intentions, or improving in morality through the actions of another. To understand all of these criticisms of the clergy, we must look at them through a historical lens, and observe the behavior of members of the Church in the Late Middle Ages. Finally, these analyses of the Decameron’s portrayal of clergymen may give us insight into Boccaccio’s own faith, and allow us to understand the motives of the author. In this essay, I will analyze the portrayal of clergymen and members of religious communities in Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron. I will focus on the licentiousness, greed, and stupidity of these members of the Church, while also evaluating the few portrayals of good me...
He opposed the solitary life, but rather wanted a more cenobitic, or communal way of life. Basil argued that cenobitic life was the best way to follow the will of God and that it is important to be surrounded by a loving community. Although these communities would remain small so the monks could create a personal relationship between one and another. He was not afraid to express his opinions to his fellow disciples and made monasticism a universal concept. Through his actions, Basil expressed his belief that one needs to be unselfish and detached from the satisfaction of the outside world to leave a peaceful life. Each one of the monks in his community were required to live in absolute poverty. To him, it was more important to start a new life, in which one would follow the will of God. “In the West, he is venerated as one of the Four Greek Doctors, in the East as the first of the Three Holy Hierarchies. As patriarch of Eastern monks, he has always enjoyed great fame in Russia, and is honored there as one of its patron saints.” He also defined the terms ousia (nature) and hypostasis (being, person). In all, St. Basil had a great influence on Christianity who will be remembered for the founding of communal monasticism and one who put himself before
...le. This sovereignty emphasises an essential notion that differed the Cluniac rule to that of previous monasteries incorporating the Rule of St. Benedict with the alterations of Duke William I. The Cluniac monks became renowned for their prayers for the dead, which attracted more and more attention throughout the lay people gaining the monastery popularity and subsequently wealth. In the monasteries attempt at the monks living an isolated life with uncompromising respect for monastic purity, the attraction of lay people forced the monks to interact and become involved with temporal matters consequently contradicting entirely the Foundation Charter. The Cluniac Monastery attracted a lot of attention across the Kingdom of France and other European Kingdom’s, which greatly influenced the Foundation Charter’s expanding influence and therefore significance historically.
Many bishops and abbots (especially in countries where they were also territorial princes) bore themselves as secular rulers rather than as servants of the Church. Many members of cathedral chapters and other beneficed ecclesiastics were chiefly concerned with their income and how to increase it, especially by uniting several prebends (even episcopal sees) in the hands of one person, who thus enjoyed a larger income and greater power. Luxury prevailed widely among the higher clergy, while the lower clergy were often oppressed. The scientific and ascetic training of the clergy left much to be desired, the moral standard of many being very low, and the practice of celibacy not everywhere observed. Not less serious was the condition of many monasteries of men, and even of women (which were often homes for the unmarried daughte...
Understanding the Buddhist lifestyle requires learning about the background of the religion and the monks. Buddha set the teachings of Buddhism, also called the Dhamma-Vinaya. The code of conduct, called the Vinaya, teaches people aspiring to gain the monastic life of a monk to gain wisdom and mindfulness. Buddha set these rules for the well-being of the Bhikkus, or the monk. He set these rules to help create a peaceful atmosphere for the Buddhist community and to avoid corruption in the Buddhist community. All monks and/or nuns must not only follow these rules, but also many other rules and principles.
Saint Francis of Assisi was a uniquely spiritual man who gave up a life of wealth and position to lead a life of poverty in accordance and service to God. Embracing a life according to the Gospels, Francis went on to establish a Monastic Order, known as the Franciscans. In the midst of the political climate within the religious community of Italy, Francis emerged a champion for the poor and sick, with humility and no regard for himself. Francis exhibited his love for God through his love and admiration for all of God's creation including nature. The principles of Saint Francis are as relevant today as they were in thirteenth century Italy; service and love to all of God’s creation.
In the middle ages Friars, Monks and Prioresses had very specific roles in society. A Friar had to follow the mendicant order while living off of charity, preaching, educating, attending to the sick and absolving people from their sin. The Prioress was the head of a group of nuns. She would have had a low social standing as she belongs to the Theocracy. Her roles included growing vegetables and grain, producing wine and honey, providing medical care for the community and being in charge of the Priories. Lastly, the Monk’s role was to remain in his cloister and study religious texts; “And that a monk uncloistered is a mere/ Fish out of water, flapping on the pier…”(177-178). All of these people were supposed to model holiness; they were bound to the community and had no personal possessions. They are supposed to be selfless Christians dedicated to the Church.