Life in a Monastery |
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The first Christian monks and nuns were hermits - people who lived on their own in lonely places to live a life of purity and prayer. The first monastic community (group of monks or nuns living together) was started in Egypt by Pachomius around 320AD. Western Monastic life began with Saint Benedict (480-547) when he started the first Benedictine Monastery at Monte Cassino, Italy, in 529AD. The monks and nuns lived in separate monasteries.
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A Benedictine Monk Photograph by Mike Strange |
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Even today, little has changed in the daily routine. The daily life is still guided by the "Rule of Benedict" based on a pattern of prayer and work. The Abbot is the spiritual head of the monastery and, once they have taken their vows, monks and nuns stay in the same monastery for the rest of their lives. The vows are promises of poverty, chastity and obedience - this means they do not own things, they stay unmarried and celibate, and promise to obey the leaders and "rules" of their order. "I will praise you seven times a day". (The Bible, Psalm 119 verse 164)."At midnight I rise to thank you." (The Bible, Psalm chapter 119 verses 62). The day revolves around a pattern of eight services (offices), although the times may vary. These services include prayers, chanting psalms, Bible reading and singing. This is called the 'opus Dei' - the 'Work of God'.
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