Overview of the monasteries in the Middle Ages

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