Seven centuries separate the Benedictines and the Poor Sisters of St. Clare. Nonetheless, the orders are quite similar in their respective rules. The Rule of Saint Benedict and Saint Clare’s Forma Vitae are two very different documents with an identical purpose: to bring people to God though a life of prayer and work: Ora Et Labora. Saint Benedict laid the groundwork for Saint Clare, to the point where it is safe to say that Saint Clare directly based much of her rule on the rule of Saint Benedict and then adapted it for the life of the cloister.
The Rule of St. Benedict is a very thorough document. It goes into considerable detail regarding many varying matters of the monastery, from the type of man the abbot should be to how much laughter
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Despite the poverty of words, her rule still outlines life as a Poor Sister just as well as Benedict does for the Benedictines. Her rule is simple and focused. Poverty is the focus of her rule, being the central virtue of Saint Francis, her inspiration. As such, the sisters are to have nothing to call their own. They wear a simple, poor habit, and remain cloistered in the convent. One sister is designated as the porter and mans the door and parlor, where visitors may be received and spoken to. Aside from speaking to visitors and speaking liturgically, the sisters are to keep their words short and …show more content…
Of course, they maintain the schedule of each day, building it around the divine office and working amidst the prayer: Ora Et Labora. Benedictines also had a stress on poverty, but Clare made it central to the life in her order. Additionally, obedience is another central pillar of Benedictine life that Clare amplified. The Benedictines had to obey their abbot and their superiors, but that was in a time when the Church (but especially the papacy) was much smaller. The Poor Sisters had to obey the abbess and the local Bishop with the Pope above all. The Sisters even preserved the Benedictine tradition of a year-round fast with breaks around the major
Jeanne de Jussie, a dedicated Catholic nun, recorded events that took place in Geneva during the Reformation as the official chronicler for the Saint Clare convent. Although littered with biases, Jeanne de Jussie’s experiences reflect broader trends during the Reformation; therefore, The Short Chronicle is a valid source and not merely a personal attack against the Protestants. Her experiences and beliefs, including those concerning celibacy, reflected those of many members of the Catholic Church during the Reformation. Also, her categorization of Protestants as ‘heretics’ was consistent with the practices of the Catholic Church. Although biased, her fears about Protestant views on celibacy and marriage were legitimate and consistent with
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
In Dr. Osman’s lecture and in Life and Miracles of St. Benedict, monasteries were portrayed as places for people to escape the harsh times and live together worshipping God. In The Dark Ages, the narrator discusses how many nuns and monks would try to escape because they were forced to go there, some even going as far as scaling the walls of their convent or monastery. These holy places offered many people the escape and religious freedom that they craved, but not everyone loved the strict life that monks and nuns lived. (The Dark Ages, “Marriage of Monks and
Through Apostolic Tradition, the Church guided its parishes and assured order from highest to lowest possible. In other words, “there is constancy from the Bishop all the way down to the oils used for sacraments. Furthermore, Apostolic Tradition lists the rules for holy day of obligation and fasting for certain days etc..etc. ”
known for starting and running a monastery, as well as taking on the many duties of
Benedict who founded a group of monks and established a universal order for monks to follow. Adding to this, nuns called each other sisters and monks called each other brother. Moreover, the idea of asceticism was a life of self- denial where monks would descend themselves. Monks would descend themselves from sex, marriage, having a family, greed, processions, because to own and do such things they would be further away from God. Therefore, the universal order monks and nuns lived a lifestyle allowing them to be higher to the gods and live a life of
order of St. Benedict in the monastery of Maur des Fosses, which is located near Paris”
One of the values Francis instilled the most in his monks was obedience to God. In his life, Francis was devoted to serve God and gave God complete control over his life. Part of this trust that Francis had was that God would provide for him in same way ...
... time when much of the barbarian west was only nominally Christian, Benedict’s Rule kept alive the spirit of pursuing a life of gospel perfection” (Reid 50). “Benedict’s rule, which was a synthesis of several rules, could be applied to any number of monasteries and locations” (Vidmar 79). This universality of his rule helped to stabilize not only monasticism and the church, but also rub off on the common people and nobility that the monastics encountered.
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XI Copyright © 1911 by Robert Appleton Company by K. Knight Nihil Obstat, February 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York
The Church was run by a Pope, monks, and nuns, and priests. The Pope was the head of the Catholic Church. The Pope was views as God’s representative, and the populous looked up to them on how to live and pray. It was the Pope’s choice, to decide what the church would teach. Pope Benedict forced all monks and nuns to take three vows, in order to practice in the Church. A vow of poverty, to give up all worldly goods; a vow of chastity to stay single; a vow of obedience to promise to obey the church and the rules of the monastery (Benedictine Rules). Nuns were women who prayed, weaved, practiced teaching, and wrote books, while monks devoted majority of their lives to the discipline of prayer.
However, this would have been nothing without the exemplary spiritual life that was seen to exist at Cluny. The continual use of vocal prayer was popular with the laity, with many wishing to be included in the prayers of the monks. The personal qualities of the abbots were also much admired, as was the way of life practised at Cluny. The cluniac model of benedictine obervence was seen by many by the time of Abb...
Among her minor things, the nun in the tale actions was cautious and splendid. Her manners were unique, and practiced with perfection. "Her table manners were admirable: she never let a morsel fall from her lips, nor wet her fingers too deeply in the sauce; daintily she carried a morsel to her lips, taking care that no drop should fall on her breast: she took much pleasure in proper etiquette." (133) The author makes us understand that her behavior with such perfection was not because she was obligated to act in this way.
Francis of Assisi lived about eight hundred years ago. He was born in the city of Assisi, Italy, in 1182. He was the son of Piero of Bernadone, who was a wealthy merchant. He received a education and seemed to follow his father's footsteps as a wealthy merchant. In 1201 he took part in an attack on Perugia, was taken hostage, and remained a captive there for a year. After his release, Francis joined the army but couldn't complete his time because he got sick. This period of time would change his life forever. During his sickness, Francis would spend hours meditating on the Lord in an old church, and he felt God drawing near to him. Some people come to Jesus with a memorable experience, but others come to Christ through a process. Francis' conversion wasn't an overnight experience, but it was definitely real.
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.