Skunks’s Weblog

Religious foundation and history
1. General

The basis for the common life in monasteries formed by Benedict of Nursia (* to 480, U at 547) and drawn by Aniane Benedict (d. 821) added code, which applies to all monastic communities should have validity. For inclusion in the Benedictine community of life, the novices, the three vows of stability (stability loci), the monastic life (conversatio monastica) and obedience (oboedientia medium). The recording procedure included a 4-5tägige examination at the guesthouse, a 1-year waiting period in the novices cells under supervision, during which the several religious rules were durchgenommen and finally the time professed, after the conclusion of the final professed came.

The wedding of the Benedictine Order located between 6 Century, in which Pope Gregory I (590 – 604), the exclusive adherence of Benedictine rule was issued, and the 13th century. With the advent of the mendicant orders takes its meaning from strong. As an important spin-off of the Benedictine Order, the Order of Cistercians, whose innovations (such as periodic visitations) and stricter rules ultimately influence on ancient monasteries benedictian`scher character took. The Benedictine Order has shown – unlike, for example the mendicant orders – always a feudal-style with some large and widely spread farmhouses. Besides the donations, known as “dowry” with new brothers in the abbey which were multiplied in the land owned by a monastery primarily through donations, rather than by acquisitions. Many nobles took the care and custody of Benedictine communities in when they saw their time come and have something for their souls wanted to do. In return, they wrote about lands and rights in favor of the abbeys. In this respect these possessions were far away, they were specifically exempted from brothers in their own homes (Grangier) in.
he pastoral and mild activities, such as in Premonstratensians, Franciscans and Dominicans, were in self-understanding of the Benedictine High Middle Ages is not one of the primary tasks of the Order. Benedictine understood at this time as “soldiers of God”, on their way through prayers and masses for the salvation disputed. Thus, for example every word that a monk wrote that as a blow against the destruction understood. In addition, many abbeys with their high number of service people is also a real army available, either by the abbot himself or by officers into the field could be. From her Urkonzeption was the responsibility of the people who are in the direct vicinity monastery lived, however foreseen.

Also in origin is not the primary objective of the Order was the planned relocation of people, unlike eg the Order of Cistercians of SUPER-PRETTY outlook for the population. As Benedictine monasteries in principle on self-sufficiency were created, there was actually no need to fall back on commercial goods. With the ever increasing division of inmates into the monastery monks, priests, lay brothers and tradesmen, which the priest monks more time for choral singing, study and copying of scriptures was the daily work but in the hands of lay brothers and craftsmen presented were the monasteries, but more and more of the input of the surrounding settlements dependent.

2. Benedict of Nursia

chon before his work had the monasticism with its goals of secession from the outer world, regular prayers and Psalms Fastentum disseminated. In addition to the lofty goals were also dark sides to recognize each of the monks could hardly be managed. From the life of St. Benedict, there are mainly records of Pope Gregory I (also known as “The Great” referred to). According to these records was taken from the around the year 480 Benedict, born of a distinguished family, based in Norcia (Nursia) in the province of Valeria / Apennines. His parents were probably intended for landed and were so educated and wealthy that they have been possible to study Benedict to Rome to give. His stay in Rome was only of short duration, with the year 498, the year of a double election of the Roman Bishop and the resulting civil war conditions, he broke from his training abruptly. This break is reflected in the significant underrepresentation of scientific studies and recognition of ancient authors in his conflicting religious rules.

Benedict joined initially in Endide (Affile) in southern Lazio to a Asketengemeinschaft, but soon left again to enter a hard-to-access rocky cave at Subiaco to find refuge. Contact us, he held only a monk, of which he is also the introduction to the monastic way of life was. One of the pillars in the Benedictine monastery of everyday life, namely, common prayer and shared meals, Benedict is in precisely this time by meeting with a World Priests for Easter, learn, and later in his religious rule have built. Subiaco learned soon after an influx of people who turned out to be but because of disputes within the religious leaders were not sustainable.

By the year 529, in which he moved after Campania and in Monte Cassino, a monastery founded, developed Benedict the 73 rules of the Benedictine Order. In the year 542, he was already so well known that King Totila personally went to the monastery, knowing him. In the last years of his life took Benedict also renewed contacts with his sister Scholastica, which will soon be below the Monte Cassino monastery, the first female Benedictine monastery founded and embossed with her brother stood in lively exchanges.

The exact year of death of the St. Benedict is not known, it is for the March 21, 547 was adopted. Character can Benedict of Nursia as a conservative in the true sense of the word are considered. His reorganization of existing structures, it was the monks provide a clear means in which they are based and can measure and provide for equal treatment in the monasteries sure. His religious rule is not of a piece, but pulls the content and structure ordering from earlier regulations, eg the Augustinian Rule, the Rule of St. Basilus and especially the Master Rule (Regula Magistri).

The resulting, in comparison to other codes only 73 short chapters, Benedictine rule contains less sharpening than its predecessors, leaves much open, cares little for details, or monastic rites and was therefore considered very adaptable to the realities of the North. As a principle, the rule clear that Benedict to the weaknesses of the body and therefore knew of exaggerated asceticism absah. Nevertheless it must be difficult for many people, even only a portion of the catalog requirement to follow.

3. Monastery Offices

The Benedictine monk in his monastery should be one, its natural assets corresponding fostered to a harmonious personality, with special emphasis on the other side to be objective. To achieve this lofty goal was at the head of the monastery, the abbot (abbas). It should – as an ideal – his monks at the same time teacher, loving father, shepherd, and still is a Peer to Peer (which rarely worked). The abbot was elected by the monks and took up his post for life. In the side of the Advisory Board of the older brothers (consilium) to him in important monastery had things to discuss, but only during the High Middle Ages through the canon a crucial vote received. The Second in the monastic order was the dean. He was both alternates of the abbot, as the origin of her interest of the representatives of the monks, during the time he was more for spiritual things and as a responsible means Prior. He often stood to the side of Subprior. The Probst (praepositus) was the economic leader of the monastery, the supervision of goods and property was entrusted.

Only this strict superiors at the monastery had a privileged position and remained the monks of aristocratic origin Reserved. The following posts were – in the ideal case – to the best brothers awarded, with the date of the monastery’s entrance and ethical origins in medieval times but got increasingly weight. An important post had Zellerar even Schaffner / Economist called. His task was to regulated supply of the monastery with food, the monitoring of inputs and outputs in dining and wardrobe, the calculation of taxes and revenue from its farms – it could also call Monastery accountant. Some of these duties in the Middle Ages were transmitted to the treasurer (Camerarius), the guest Pfleger (hospitarius), alms brother (alomoniarius), kitchen brother (refectarius) and sick brother (infirmarius). The cantor was the main task of monitoring and promotion of choral singing, in small monasteries versah he plays the role of the librarian, in the larger congregations with many codes and copyists, but was a separate office. The sacristan (sacratarius) took care of the liturgical vessels, vestments and church in general for the Treasury, but often still versah the Office of the reliquary, that in time of sexton (custos) was incorporated. The Office of Zeremoniars, as overseer of compliance with the rules of the Church’s worship, was probably at greater abbeys and was otherwise limited by prior or cantor worried. The tasks of the novice master, it is clear from its name. Larger monasteries were also still the Office of the brother porter (portarius), near the gate of his own cell, had to always answer questions them. For all these offices, the religious rule, aides to support, so that it is the entry way to a “monastic career” can be seen.

Besides the monks priests (Father) was (and is) the state of the monks, Brother (Brother). This was in contrast to the Patern no degree in theology and often occurred in later years of life in a convent, as is often the earliest age recorded priest monks. The monastery then profited from the experience of life, a brother with revenue. Not to confuse the lay brothers (= Konversbrüder / Conversi fratres), in the Benedictine monasteries since the 10th Century increasingly occurring. They were secular servant, which the sacred monks created similar Habit got themselves on the merits but with the work involved. Harriers and electoral votes as they were not brothers. Fraternal inhabited a separate part of the monastery, of which the father and brother had similar, but has been kept simple.

4. Everyday
Agenda

After an approximately seven-night’s rest was at 1.00 clock (in the winter months later) to the vigils or called Nocturne. Weekdays 6 psalms were first prayed, then three lessons from renowned church fathers (in the summer months from Easter to 1 November only one lesson), it connected again 6 Psalms. On Sundays and holidays after the first 6 lessons read four psalms, which again Psalms 6 and a further four lessons followed. Then followed by three Kantika from hl. Scripture, four lessons from the New Testament, and finally the hymn “Te deum laudanus”. Individual psalms were on Sundays and public holidays Kehrverse and refrains vorangeschickt, but after each Psalms was the “Gloria patri” are sung. The individual lessons were interrupted by responsories in the alternation of solo and choir singing have been presented.

On Sundays and feast days followed immediately on the vigils Lauds (now called Matins and clock held from 5.00), followed on weekdays between vigils and Lauds a break, often for further use was sleeping. To Lauds were the 66th, the 50th, two variable and the 148th to 150 Psalm prayed about daybreak closed. The real morning Prim prayer was called and took place in full daylight. As for the third (9.00 clock), the sixth (12.00 clock) and Non (15.00 clock) were in the Prim a hymn with three psalms prayed. The Vespers (17.00 clock) included four psalms and a hymn. The compline against 18:00 clock, the evening prayer with three psalms and a hymn, under which the monks went to sleep.

In addition to the recurring prayers were the 150 psalms in such a way that all at least once per week were praying, but some enjoyed a higher popularity. Looking at these o.g. Statement, it is clear that for actually following the orders or rules intended to create handmade and copying codices little time left. So were many exceptions, their number would be beyond the scope. Field, thus leaving the monastery walls, was a Benedictine only in special orders of the abbot allowed, eg Codices to other monasteries to see Grangier to Visitieren or Pfründner reside. After such a journey and the abbot of reporting such a monk had to confess to “the free world to make” and his sins – he certainly will have committed – to repent. His brothers, he was compared to silence bound, so that their spirit is not of “travel” has been confused.
Meals

In the period from Easter to Pentecost were the monks assigned to two meals daily, one lunch, the other evening, and besides per 500g of bread and a monk hemina wine (0.25 liters) or 2 Heminen beer with two different courts were available, the fruit and vegetables of the season were completed. The degree of drinks always provided material for discussion. Sah Benedict in his Rule as the highest level of this in “The wine itself is not sent for monks, because the monks, but today is not to convince, so we want to at least reasonably be interpreted as meaning that we are not up to saturation, but moderate drinking . ‘(Rule 40, by the extent of the drink), so was the notion hemina the growing demand more and more adapted. From Whitsun to mid-September, Wednesdays and Fridays only one meal hours applied to the 9th, from 14 September to the beginning Lent only one meal a day (including Sundays). 40tägigen During Lent (Quadragesima) was the only meal held after vespers. The word “fasting” requires a short explanation: With fasting was not necessarily meant forgoing a quantitative (ie starvation ), but a qualitative restriction of food used for food. So renounced the communities of Lent on the preparation of four-footed animals – poultry, however, as was allowed, as is any kind of fish.

The exceptions were also many: How could the commandment of meat in the bypass, in which a monk when sick brother volunteered, because patients were assigned to meat. Also in Fast Times was the only meal are either very abundant (although the cooks in their titling of the courts and used ingredients true masters of camouflage were), or there were guests and hosts, of which the monks as well. One of the meals (and everywhere else throughout the day) was the silence bid probably one of the most difficult conditions of a monk. If we understand that, we operated a sign language in the 11th century already contained 359 words. Obviously there will be monks have given just these religious rules in their often contradictory diversity could understand and comply with. These were, however, especially in his own lifetime as viewed by God appointed, whereas the “normal” Benedictine variety of reasons could join the Order, which is not necessarily renouncing worldly pleasures included.

To what extent have the religious founder Benedict of Nursia, the fallibility of his brothers was involved, it is possible to order the rules 36 (From the sick brothers), 37 (Old and children), as well as 39 and 40 (degree of food and beverages) ersehen, but also a also recorded his system of fines and penalties for misconduct.
Premises

The choir was first prayer held in the oratory, and later joined in its place, the monastery church. Many monasteries had larger two churches, one for the monks, priests, another for the lay brothers, besides some small chapels and niches for different saints. The Kapitellsaal was both for the deliberations of the brothers used, as well as for the weekly work distribution.

Ideally, all dined in the refectory monks sitting side by side, what the early High Middle Ages by the separation of simple monastic superiors and brothers were removed. The table service as well as the Office of the table reader (of his meals in the kitchen without supervision received, what the popularity of the Office have promoted) went round with weekly change. Geschlafen was first in the common dormitorium originally a large, unheated hall, as the only warm place was the heat in the winter room. With the spatial separation of the monks, priests and lay brothers were given their own premises, while the monks studied individual cells were monastery. The abbot had in the High Middle Ages on their own premises, because he had to receive guests and ceremonial duties / rights enjoyed. Guests residing in either the hospice or in a separate wing of the abbey. Also separated the hospital, workshops, kitchen and bakery.

Clothing

Each congregation had its peculiarities in her nun’s habit, because according to the instructions of St. Benedict who always dress for the substance should be used, taking into account the technical conditions of the weather – at least cost – the best possible protection should be provided. It was the abbot of the Congregation imposed any monk under the Acts of the Apostles “Everyone has been allocated as much as he had need (Acts 4, 35)” is necessary to grant all about it but to remove the iniquities of private ownership documents.
As a basic configuration according to the Order was a monk Rule 55 provides:

* 2 tunics (Winter -> wool / summer -> canvas), long cut usually with short sleeves;
* 2 cowl or Kappa (1 Sommerset / 1 Winterset), a kind of mantle, head, arms and shoulders covered
* In the High Middle Ages developed some of the tunics Untertuniken under which a shirt was worn, the cowl was in this case by a thick woolen tunic top in winter and a thin upper tunic replaced in the summer;
* Gugel, a head, neck and shoulders covering cap, until the High Middle Ages with the advent of sub-or Obertuniken came into fashion;
* Scapular, a rest on the shoulders, fore and aft hang fabric with / without straps to the high aprons tunics;
* Flokke or Floccus, a development of the cowl in the High Middle Ages, with long, wide sleeves and a hood (as was especially monks robes of the priests in the choir into service);
* Femoralien, a kind of trousers whose permanent allocation but the climatic conditions depended;
* Fußlappen / socks and a simple, closed shoes
* Bedding (mat / towel / blanket / pillow)
* Belt / Essmesser / Needle / handkerchief
* With slate pencil.

If a monk has been sent on trips, he got on demand from the wardrobe additionally Pants (Femoralien) and an over coat (sometimes with an additional hood) out, after which he returned again washed there must had. The same was done with worn or no longer suitable clothing for the output of the lay brothers, or poor treatment.

The origin of individual monks were in the preparation of equipment and food included. How could a brother noble birth – according to one of the basic rules of Benedictine communities “Each has been allocated as much as he had need (Acts 4, 35)” – quality clothes and body cells receive, as a monk meaner origin. Even were such brothers often shared by the handwork than others and were able to devote occupations. Also, the rule 39 and 40 (amount of food and drink) and hence the allocation by the abbot in person to the respective needs of the individual monk, so that it was possible, an abundant food Vertilger brother, alongside a lean ascetics at the table to find. The resulting unavoidable unwillingness briefly held the brothers also governed the monastery order – but to the detriment of the ascetics.
Dealing

From the Order was her rule the monk to the abbot and his representatives (Prior, Subprior, Probst) obliged to obedience. Orders were imposed without a murmur to be done – including offenses were by exclusion from the trade fairs, through food deprivation, through punishment and also by excluding them from the abbey punished. In the hierarchy of the monastery, the monks, the younger elderly, the lower by the higher made to obey, which is not always without displeasure expired. Under the rule, Benedict had the monks “unremittingly to try to silence.” Discussions were necessary for the interview room (parlor), while others had to listen to monks in order to minimize unauthorized subjects. Similarly, the rules dealing with non-members of the monastery. Contacts monks were only selected after special permission of the Abbot possible (so the abbot himself, the Prior, the Zellerar and his brother Ushers and their assistants). These were conversations with women to avoid.

anno 2005!