A Very Simplistic History
The earliest monks were anchorites who fled the urban centers and sought God in the solitude of the desert, living as hermits and ascetics. In time, communities formed of like- minded hermits, who would come together for prayer and Eucharist. In the 4th century, Pachomius organized the first formal community of men, and later organized a convent, in which a number of women lived with his sister. The 4th and 5th centuries saw the formation of several monastic communities, founded by such notable saints as Basil the Great, Martin of Tours, and Honoratus, Ninian (more about Celtic monasticism later). In the 6th century, a solitary hermit named Benedict left his cave near Subiaco, Italy to lead an experimental community of men who desired to live in a community following the ideas of Pachomius. This community failed, however, because many of the monks found Benedict to be too harsh- in fact they tried to poison him. Benedict returned to his cave, however his miracles and sanctity of life drew many to him. He began establishing monasteries for them, each with a Superior, but he remained Abbot over them all. His Rule, which proscribed a way of life centered in Christ and moderation in all things, became the rule of life for all monastic communities in the West, except for Celtic Communities, who allowed married monks and entrusted the abbot if each community to create its own Rule, and the Augustinians who continued to follow the Rule of St. Augustine. In the 12th century, after a conversion experience following a sermon on the Rich, young ruler who was told by Jesus to sell all of his goods and give them to the poor, St. Francis forsook all of his worldly possessions and began to live a simple life, preaching repentance and ministering to those in the town. He founded a new kind of monasticism which remained rooted in prayer, community, and simplicity, but chose to remain in the cities, among the people, reaching outward to spread the Gospel among them. Other mendicant orders were formed following his ideals, including the Dominicans, Carmelites, and the Augustinian mendicant orders.
The earliest monks were anchorites who fled the urban centers and sought God in the solitude of the desert, living as hermits and ascetics. In time, communities formed of like- minded hermits, who would come together for prayer and Eucharist. In the 4th century, Pachomius organized the first formal community of men, and later organized a convent, in which a number of women lived with his sister. The 4th and 5th centuries saw the formation of several monastic communities, founded by such notable saints as Basil the Great, Martin of Tours, and Honoratus, Ninian (more about Celtic monasticism later). In the 6th century, a solitary hermit named Benedict left his cave near Subiaco, Italy to lead an experimental community of men who desired to live in a community following the ideas of Pachomius. This community failed, however, because many of the monks found Benedict to be too harsh- in fact they tried to poison him. Benedict returned to his cave, however his miracles and sanctity of life drew many to him. He began establishing monasteries for them, each with a Superior, but he remained Abbot over them all. His Rule, which proscribed a way of life centered in Christ and moderation in all things, became the rule of life for all monastic communities in the West, except for Celtic Communities, who allowed married monks and entrusted the abbot if each community to create its own Rule, and the Augustinians who continued to follow the Rule of St. Augustine. In the 12th century, after a conversion experience following a sermon on the Rich, young ruler who was told by Jesus to sell all of his goods and give them to the poor, St. Francis forsook all of his worldly possessions and began to live a simple life, preaching repentance and ministering to those in the town. He founded a new kind of monasticism which remained rooted in prayer, community, and simplicity, but chose to remain in the cities, among the people, reaching outward to spread the Gospel among them. Other mendicant orders were formed following his ideals, including the Dominicans, Carmelites, and the Augustinian mendicant orders.
With the Dissolution and Suppression of the Monasteries in England under Henry VIII in the 16th century, monasticism ended in England. However, many monastic communities and religious orders were founded within Anglicanism during the catholic revival in the 19th century,
including the Community of St. Mary the Virgin, the Society of St, Margaret, the Cowley Fathers (the Society of St. John the Evangelist), the Nashotah Community, and the Sisterhood of the Holy Communion. Today there are religious orders and christian communities throughout the Anglican communion, and about 2400 life professed monks and nuns. There are thousands of other oblates, associates and members of christian communities. They are diverse in their charisms and missions in the world- some cloistered and contemplative, some active in the world ministering with the poor and oppressed, some living in community, others living in solitude- but all are united in the desire to seek and know God in all persons, all places and all situations. This monastic vocation is rooted in a life of prayer and centered around a Rule of Life which frees one from the distractions of the world which eclipse the vision of God in all things. The Rule may be slightly different between the orders, but essentially guide one to live a life of moderation in all things, lived out through vows of obedience, poverty, chastity, and stability.
Why Become a Monk
So, why would I want to become a monk? Maybe it's the "Meyers-Briggs-J-ness" of my personality, or my need for structure and order, or my love for catholic practice and tradition- maybe all of those and other unknown factors which make this way of life an attractive and necessary way for me to find God and grow in holiness. I am not seeking this way of life because I am holier than other Christians who live their baptismal vocations in different ways and callings in the world- from parents and clergy to doctors, teachers, scientists, waitresses, brick masons, etc. In fact, the opposite is most likely true. I need this way of life for my own holiness as a way to find union with God.
I have a son, so I have been praying about various options which would enable me to follow the call of the Holy Spirit to a life of prayer. I thought about becoming an Oblate of an Order or a Third Order Franciscan- but none of those options seemed to fit. Religious Orders modeled after Celtic Monastic Communities seemed attractive, and even though I am not married, that seems like a path that would be a great fit for a single father. At last I have found an Anglican order that accepts married and single monks and nuns, and accepts both without distinction. Some live in community, but others live as solitaries outside of the community, but remain connected through the Rule of Life, a a vowed profession, and participation in community life with regularity throughout the year. For this time and place in my life, the former way seems to be one that is calling out to me, as it allows me to continue to minister as a parish priest, and encourages me to be a faithful father to my son.
I wait for where the Spirit will lead me. I am excited about this journey- please pray with me as I go forward on it.
Peace and Grace to All Y'all
1 comment:
My prayers accompany you, dear Rob.
Word verification: queenes (I am not making this up).
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