Benedict founded monastic communities in the 6th century that emphasized humility and copying manuscripts to preserve knowledge. These Benedictine monasteries became centers of wealth, power, education, and advised rulers. Meanwhile, Celtic monasticism emphasized asceticism, isolation, and journeying as a spiritual practice but differed with Rome on Easter, authority, and tonsure. Both traditions contributed greatly to European culture and Christianity.

1. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
May 10, 2015

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embe
dded&v=__N_83Qdg9k

6.  “Everywhere we see mourning, from all sides we hear
lamentation. Cities are destroyed, military camps are
overturned, fields are laid waste. . . We see some led
captive, others murdered, and she herself [Rome] who once
seemed to be mistress of the world, what has remained of
her is abundantly afflicted with tremendous misfortunes.”

7.  Benedict , distraught by foreign invasions, fled to the
Italian countryside around 500.
 With his sister Scholastica, gathered a community of
people who were looking for something more
meaningful than what was offered by what was left of
Roman Christianity.
 Benedict developed a rule of life for this community,
which ordered the community around the practice of
humility; today called “The Rule of St. Benedict”

8. Benedictine monasticism made tremendous
contributions to Europe
 Monks ran schools that trained some of finest minds of
Middle Ages
 Copied ancient manuscripts, helped preserve knowledge of
Greece, Rome
 Monasteries became centers of wealth, power
 Kings, nobles donated money, gifts in exchange for prayers said on
their behalf
 As they became wealthier, monasteries drawn into local politics
 Many monks acted as advisers, aides to local, national rulers in
Europe

10.  Pope Gregory I renewed the church amidst crumbling
infrastructure.
 He introduced choirs to assist in leading liturgy.
 He emphasized preaching, and raised standards of
clergy education.
 He included mission and outreach as a practice for a
parish church.
 Under Gregory, the model of medieval spirituality
became the parish church “infused with the devotion
of the monastery.”

12. • Other branch of monasticism developed in Ireland
• Celtic monks more ascetic, or severe, than Benedictines
• Fasted and spent days in
solitary contemplation
• Built monasteries on
small islands to separate
monks, rest of society;
believed isolation helped
focus on faith.

13.  Celtic Christians set out on journeys as a practice of
faith.
 Their understanding of the Christian life was one of a
sacred journey.

14.  Celtic Christians differed with Rome on a number of
issues, including:
 The date of Easter - In 325CE the Council of Nicaea
established that Easter would be held on the first
Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the
vernal equinox. The equinox is when daytime and night
are of the same duration. (ver = Latin for Spring)

15.  The authority of the Pope
 Monastic Tonsure (Celtic Vs. Roman)

16.  God bless the path on which you go
God bless the earth beneath your feet
God bless your destination.
God be a smooth way before you
A guiding star above you
A keen eye behind you
This day, this night, and forever.
God be with you whatever you pass
Jesus be with you whatever you climb
Spirit be with you wherever you stay.
God be with you at each stop and each sea
At each lying down and each rising up
In the trough of the waves, on the crest of the billows.
Each step of the journey you take.