Monasteries were buildings where monks lived and worshipped God, devoting their lives to religion. Monks followed strict guidelines established by St. Benedict in 529 AD and took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. During the Middle Ages, monasteries were important centers of knowledge - they operated schools and libraries, copied manuscripts to preserve knowledge, and engaged in charitable works like hospitals. Monks had various roles like abbots in charge and lecturers who read lessons, while friars interacted more with the outside world.

1. The Medieval Monastery
Mr. Smith

2. The Medieval Monastery

3. What was a monastery?
- Building(s) where people lived and worshiped, devoting their time and life to
God.
- The people that lived here were monks
- Sons of nobles who were not first born were often sent here

4. Rule of St. Benedict
- Early medieval monasteries followed the
Benedictine Rule, established by St.
Benedict in 529 AD.
- These were strict guidelines that were to
be followed by monks and abbots living
in the monasteries.
- Monasteries existed hundreds of years
before, but this is when they become
more organised.

5. Monks v. Friars
Monks - their life was spent on the monastery.
Friars - they interacted with the world.
Examples - Contemplative orders who lived strictly apart from the world,
e.g., Trappists

6. The Vows of a Monk
- Part of their vow was to dedicate
their life to the monastery
- Give up worldly goods and devote
their lives to God and discipline
- Monks took a Vow of poverty,
chastity and obedience
- Could not marry

7. Why Were Monasteries Important?
- During the medieval period, monasteries were the centers of knowledge and
education.
- They maintained schools and libraries
- Were responsible for copying manuscripts, including ancient texts that may
have been lost forever otherwise
- Kept records of what was going on at the time
- Charitable works, such as feeding the hungry
- and distributing medicine (early hospitals)

8. Jobs at the Monastery
Abbot- head of the monastery
Prior- second in command to the abbot
Lector- in charge of reading the lessons
in church
Cantor- Leader of the monk’s choir
Sacristain - The monk in charge of
liturgical books/supplies

9. Porter - monk who was in charge of the door, literally, gaining or denying admittance to the
monastery.
Novice Master - monk in charge of novice or apprentice monks.
Guest Master - monk in charge of quarters for guests.
Task Master - Mr. Lafayette.

10. Saint Joseph’s Abbey, Spencer, MA