Origins Of Monasticism

Question 1

Introduction
Where did the ascetic lifestyle originate?

Answer 1

Gospel
Mk 48:8 “I want you to deny yourself and come pick up your cross”

Question 2

Introduction
What was the ascetic lifestyle ?

Answer 2

Consisted a life of prayer, penance, fasting, chastity, care for others and more

Practiced in homes for early church

Question 3

Introduction
St Paul quote ?

Answer 3

“I chastise my body”

Question 4

Egypt
Who was first to take up a monastic life ?

Answer 4

St Anthony was one of the first and he took Jesus literally as he gave away his possessions, prayed daily and took up an ascetic lifestyle

He also founded a monastery in tabanessi

Question 5

Egypt
What was cenobitism ?

Answer 5

Dwelling in a community

Question 6

Egypt
Hermits what were they ?

Answer 6

Hermits were people who lived outside the community and they came together to hear orders and directions

Question 7

France
Who was first supporter in France ?

Answer 7

St Martin de tours
He went to Egypt to spread his customs within monasteries

Question 8

France
Talk about John cassian?

Answer 8

Abbot of Marseilles
His monastery’s were centres of learning and he made the rule of abbot and living in a community

Question 9

Britian
Mention some things about British monastries

Answer 9

St ninnian of Scotland
Ascetic life popular in wales
Gildas and honoturas
Enda of arna
Finnian of moville

Question 10

Britain
Links between Irish and British monasticm?

Answer 10

Gildas played a major role in Irish monasticism
Enda of arna pioneered the way
Spread from wales to north Ireland

Question 11

Features of monastic life
Name them ?

Answer 11

Poverty
Chastity
Care for others
Prayer
Fasting ( wed+fri )

Question 12

Enda of arna
Mention key features of him ?

Answer 12

Son of king oriel
Solider in earlier life
Studied in Scotland
Died in 540
One of first great Irish monastic saints
Founded 3 of arna islands
Pioneered monastic movement in Ireland

Question 13

St Finnian of clonard
Name some key features about him ?

Answer 13

“Teacher of saints”
Born in later 5th century to humble family
Trained in liangaven in wales under abbot cadoc
Became friendly with gildas
Trained “12 apostles of Ireland”
2nd great Irish monastic saint

Question 14

Conclusion
Sum up the origins?

Answer 14

Monasticism came indirectly from Egypt and directly from France and Britain
Arrived in Ireland from north Britain and wales

Question 15

Conclusion
John Ryan quote ?

Answer 15

“The Irish system of monasticism in this remotely Egyptian but hails none prominently from lerins”