1. The Ways of Monasticism
Benedict was the single most influential monk in the period referred to as the Dark Ages. Reflecting on the teachings of those before him and his own personal ideas, Benedict created a set of rules to govern and regulate the everyday lives of monks. His rules became a guide to which thousands of monasteries have been based upon. Through the life of St. Benedict, an excellent guide for living one's life for God was established.
Benedict was born around 480 A.D. in Nursia, Italy. He spent his boyhood in Rome, where he devoured himself in books and study. This life of study, however, was not satisfying to Benedict. He wanted something more, something different. He found this something in God.
Upon completing his studies, Benedict left Rome in search of a quite place in which he could find God. He withdrew to Subiaco and began his "new life" as God's servant. After three years of withdrawal from society, Benedict accepted the job of abbot at a local monastery. Benedict's strict rule, however, caused many monks to despise him and an attempt was made on his life. Some monks went as far as to poison Benedict's drink, but that plan was foiled as Benedict blessed the cup and rendered the poison harmless. .
After the poison incident, Benedict relinquished his duties as abbot and returned to his cave in Subiaco. Here, he attracted many followers and was eventually persuade to found 12 monasteries throughout Europe. The most famous of Benedict's monasteries was at Monte Cassino, where he wrote his Benedictine Rule. This rule set the basis for western monasticism. In this rule, Benedict sets forth numerous vows in which a monk must take. Through the vows of obedience, stability, and conversion of live, the life of a monk is outlined. First, the monk is to follow and live by the Benedictine Rule. Second, he is not to leave his community without grave cause. Finally, he must seek to follow the teaching and example of Christ in all things.
The American Juda, Benedict Arnold today services as a synonym for treachery. His treason was such a shock because Benedict Arnold was also known as one of the nation's most talented military officers. ... They virtually ignored Benedict Arnold expect when they were teasing and jeering him. ... For Benedict Arnold this appeared to be a betrayal as well as demeaning. 3 Again having problems, Arnold moves north. ... Although, the weather conditions were poor and the terrain was rocky and difficult, Arnold and his men reached the St. ...
As the Medieval Society was a deeply devoted Christian community, people were taught to love the Lord God whole heartedly with all their strength and their soul (Benedict The Rule of St Benedict Chapter IV 1). The primary purpose of the monasteries acting as the center of the religion was to pray and be completely devoted to God physically and mentally (Benedict The Rule of St Benedict Extract Chapter IV 57-63). ... Confessions of the wrong-doing were made during the daily prayer to God and amendments of the wrong doings were made in the future (Benedict The Rule of St Benedict Extract Chapter...
If someone were to ask me, two months ago, "What comes to my mind when I hear the words, the Middle Ages?" I would have replied with something I had seen from some movie with Heath Ledger in it. The Middle Ages began with the fall of the Roman Empire and ended with a great renaissance. The Middl...
By the middle of the 12th century almost all of these bodies had adopted the Rule of St Augustine. ... Benedictines, monks and nuns following the rule of St Benedict of Nursia. The first 12 Benedictine monasteries were founded early in the 6th century at Subiaco, near Rome, by Benedict, who later founded the famous abbey at Monte Cassino and there established the rule that organized and revitalized Western monasticism and gave it its particular characteristics. ... After the Crusades, the Englishman St Simon Stock reorganized the Carmelites as mendicant friars. ... Dominicans or Friars Preach...
Through his literature Geoffrey Chaucer examines and points out the downfalls and/or shortcomings of monks. Although while reading Geoffrey Chaucer's works one may deduce that he had little respect for the sanctuary of monk hood, he nevertheless did have the utmost respect for the ideology of monas...
After the Battle of Trenton, King James thought his generals were horrible. In result, he demoted General Howe and appointed Burgoyne. Burgoyne, a former actor came up with the plan of a three-prong attack. This meant that he would attack three places at the same time. He felt that the revol...
Monasticism in is thought to have began around the 3rd to 4th century AD, when St. ... St. ... St. ... Benedict of Nursia, (480-543) helped spread Monasticism more rapidly than ever before on the British Isles, and wrote his "Holy Rule ", after founding the monastery at Monte Cassino. "Benedict had studied law before adopting a monastic life, and he defined his monastery as a corporation. ...
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold led colonial forces to Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point to outnumber the British there and capture their cannons, used later to force the British out of the port of Boston. ... New York and Boston granted near complete control of their surrounding areas, and Quebec, with its connection to the St. ... The British had planned a British Colonel St. ... However, due to the colonial army stalling St. Leger with guerilla warfare and Howe's fixation on Philadelphia and refusal to comply with previous plans, Burgoyne was forced to fight Benedict Arnold at Ticondero...