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Lecture 18 The Church and Monasteries

Dr. Ann T. Orlando16 October 2014

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Introduction

Review of Monasticism Cluny Monastic Reforms

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Early European Monasticism

5th C Patrick (and Brigid) establish Irish monasticism

6th C Benedict (and Scholastica) founder of ‘Western’ monasticism

By end of 7th C fusion of Irish and Benedictine monasticism

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Vital Social Role of Monasteries

Agricultural advances Economic developments Medicinal (hospitals) Education Support for pilgrims ‘Democratic’ advancement

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Benedictine Organization

Once a monastery became ‘too’ large, another was established

‘Daughter’ monastery only loosely associated with ‘mother’ house

All monasteries follow the Rule, but Rule leaves many decisions under local control of individual abbot and communities

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Monasticism: Cluny

Charter for Foundation of Cluny, 910 Return to Benedict’s Rule; especially reading of

Divine Office But encouraged prayer and study over

physical work Established a series of daughter monasteries

under the direction of the abbot of Cluny While monks were poor, monasteries became

wealthy Encouraged development of visual arts in

service of religion Abbot Suger: ‘Man rises to God through

beauty’

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Romanesque Art: 10, 11th C

Impact of Cluny Example: Vezelay (where Bernard

preached 2nd Crusade) http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/arch/vezelay.html

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St. Peter Damian (1007-1072) Entered a Cluniac Monastery near

Gubbio, Italy Deeply concerned about sexual license

among clergy and corruption of papacy Through tireless preaching and teaching

brought about some reforms Close friends of Hildebrand (soon to be

Pope Gregory VII) Doctor of Church

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Monasticism: Anchorites Peter Damian suggested that a more

hermetic life might be appropriate to get back to ‘the desert’ and spirituality

Several new orders founded to encourage this, most famous Carthusians Founded by St. Bruno (1030-1101) in 1084 Named for motherhouse in Chartreuse Each monk lives alone in silence following a

new Rule written by St. Bruno

Monasticism: Citeaux Reform of Cluny: Cistercians Founded by Robert Molesme at Citeaux

1099 Return to strict adherence to Benedict’s

Rule; work equal with prayer and study Each monastery independent; that is, each

had its own abbot More severe artistic style Bernard of Clairvaux most famous

Cistercian (1090-1153) Modern day Trappists; Spencer, MA.

10SJS

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) Established Cistercian monastery at

Clairvaux Opposed Peter Abelard (1078-1142): I must

understand in order that I might believe Opposed Cluny-type monasticism as being

too interested in worldly beauty and pleasure

Preached the Second Crusade (1144) Wrote very length commentary on Song

of Songs in which he refers to both Gregory of Nyssa and Origen; highly allegorical

Special devotion to Mary Encouraged mysticism that moved

away from physical; apophatic

11SJS

Mary subject of many homilies Author of famous Marian prayer

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

St. Bernard’s Devotion to Mary

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Assignments

Charter of Cluny, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/chart-cluny.html