4.3.5. Monks

Apart from the Church, devout Christians had another kind of organisation. Some deeply religious people chose to live isolated lives, in contrast to clerics who lived amongst people in towns and villages. They lived in religious communities called abbeys or monasteries, often in places very far from human habitation. Two of the more well-known monasteries were those established by St Benedict in Italy in 529 and of Cluny in Burgundy in 910.

In medieval times, there were those Christians who wanted to dedicate their lives solely to religious practices, separate from the general society. These individuals formed monastic communities where they could focus on prayer, study, and manual labor, such as farming. St. Benedict and the Cluniac reforms played significant roles in establishing the rules and organization of these communities.

Think of monks living in monasteries like introverted artists isolating themselves in studios to create their masterpieces. Just as these artists focus on their craft away from distractions, monks dedicate their lives to spiritual growth far removed from the hustle and bustle of towns.

Monks took vows to remain in the abbey for the rest of their lives and to spend their time in prayer, study and manual labour, like farming. Unlike priesthood, this life was open to both men and women – men became monks and women nuns. Except in a few cases, all abbeys were single-sex communities, that is, there were separate abbeys for men and women. Like priests, monks and nuns did not marry.

Monks lived under strict vows, which included celibacy, obedience, and stability, meaning they committed to staying in one place. This lifestyle set them apart from ordinary priests who interacted more with the public. Monasteries were usually segregated by sex, ensuring that the communities remained focused on their spiritual commitments.

Imagine a dedicated student who decides to live in a quiet library to study for an important exam. They commit to studying daily without distractions, forgoing social engagements and adopting a strict routine. Similarly, monks live a disciplined life focused on devotion.

From small communities of 10 or 20 men/women, monasteries grew to communities often of several hundred, with large buildings and landed estates, with attached schools or colleges and hospitals. They contributed to the development of the arts. Abbess Hildegard was a gifted musician and did much to develop the practice of community singing of prayers in church. From the thirteenth century, some groups of monks – called friars – chose not to be based in a monastery but to move from place to place, preaching to the people and living on charity.

Monasteries began as small, tight-knit communities but expanded significantly over time. They served not only as religious centers but also educational institutions, and their members often contributed significantly to cultural developments. The emergence of friars introduced a dynamic aspect to monastic life, as these traveling monks spread religious teachings while relying on the goodwill of the people they encountered.

Think of a local community center that starts with a small group organizing meetings, but over time, it expands to include various classes, facilities, and activities, thereby enriching the community. Just as that center evolves and adapts, monasteries grew to meet the spiritual and educational needs of their environments.

In Benedictine monasteries, there was a manuscript with 73 chapters of rules which were followed by monks for many centuries. Here are some of the rules they had to follow: Chapter 6: Permission to speak should rarely be granted to monks. Chapter 7: Humility means obedience. Chapter 33: No monk should own private property. Chapter 47: Idleness is the enemy of the soul, so friars and sisters should be occupied at certain times in manual labour, and at fixed hours in sacred reading. Chapter 48: The monastery should be laid out in such a way that all necessities be found within its bounds: water, mill, garden, workshops.

The rules established by St. Benedict were crucial for maintaining order and discipline among monks. They stressed the importance of community life, obedience, and hard work. These regulations covered everything from daily activities to community structure, ensuring that monks remained focused on their spiritual and communal responsibilities.

Consider how a sports team operates under a set of rules and guidelines to ensure everyone works towards the same goal. Just as team members are accountable to one another and follow a strategy for success, monks adhered to these rules for the stability and prosperity of their monastic community.

By the fourteenth century, there was a growing uncertainty about the value and purpose of monasticism. In England, Langland’s poem, Piers Plowman (c.1360-70), contrasted the ease and luxury of the lives of some monks with the ‘pure faith’ of ‘simple ploughmen and shepherds and poor common labourers.’ Also in England, Chaucer wrote the Canterbury Tales, which had comic portraits of a nun, a monk and a friar.

As society changed, questions about the relevance of monastic life arose. Literary critiques highlighted disparities between the ascetic lifestyles of monks and the struggles of common people. This reflects a growing awareness among the secular population about the life choices and luxuries that some monks indulged in while contradicting their vows of simplicity.

Think of a time when a celebrity is scrutinized for living a lavish lifestyle while preaching about modesty. Just as people's disappointment in such contradictions grows, medieval society began to question the sincerity of monks who lived comfortably while the average person labored hard.

--