Catholic religious orders in Europe

Résumé du document

Monarchism started in Egypt during the IInd century and may have its roots in the forms of some Jewish sects. Saint Antony (236-347) created next to Alexandria what we call anachoretism. He organized a hermits' life. These men gather in communities called anchoret. They live alone but meet on Sunday's for the liturgical service. The organization is free and people can leave whenever they want. They just have to take vows of chastity, of poverty and to respect obedience to their spiritual father. This will become the three religious vows of obedience, chastity and poverty. On the last IVth century, these communities were about a hundred. In Egypt, Saint Pachomius launched the expansion of monasteries. In fact, Saint Pachomius created Coenobitism. Pachomius himself appointed the chiefs. When he died, there were 9 monasteries and 3 moniales (pour femmes). However, the system collapsed 50 years after. In a nutshell, these two forms of monastic life will remain the matrix of the future orders.

Extraits

[...] Then during the XVIth century, there is a rebirth of the Orders. Many adopt a new form: the regular clerics, which embody the Counter Reformation. Basically, they are some priests devoted to the same missions as usual (for example, taking care of the ills or instruction). After the controversy of the Indulgences, the regular clerics aim at providing devoted, honest and exemplary priests. These congregations are maily based on instruction (the Ursulines, 1535) or charity (Brothers of charity for instance, 1537). The society of Jesus consists on this principle. [...]

[...] An important fact is that the idea they introduced, the general chapter kind of assembly of friars), has been adopted by many other orders: Prémontés, Canons, military and hospital orders and above all, the Latran Council in 1215 imposed it to every order. Military orders After the 1st Crusade, special religious orders have been created to protect the pilgrims in the territories won in the Holy land. They are the military orders. The best known is the order of the Templars, created in 1118 and whose rule had been written by Saint Bernard. It is run by the Great Master and there were more than knights. [...]

[...] Catholic religious orders in Europe The beginning of monarchism Monachism started in Egypt during the IInd century and may have its roots in the forms of some Jewish sects. Saint Antony (236-347) created next to Alexandria what we call anachoretism. He organised hermits' life. These men gather in communities called anchoret. They live alone but meet on Sundays for the liturgical service. The organisation is free and people can leave whenever they want. They just have to take vows of chastity, of poverty and to respect obedience to their spiritual father. [...]

[...] Pachomius himself appointed the chiefs. When he dieed, there were 9 monasteries and 3 moniales (pour femmes). However, the system collapsed 50 years after. In a nutshell, these two forms of monastic life will remain the matrix of the future orders. Saint Benedict of Nursie has a great influence up to now since he wrote a rule which is still organizing the life of the members of the order of Benedictins, and has been universally recognized. The rule of Saint Benedict, divided in 73 chapters, was a great innovation but it is know acknowledged that he was inspired by règle du Maitre” dated from 500. [...]

[...] Mendicant Orders Time of crusades is over in the XIIIrd century, it's time to mission. Since heresy is getting strength, the friars have to go out of their monasteries to argue with heretics (Vaudois and Albigeois for example), in order to stop the movement. It's time to ambassadors, to preachers and to martyrdoms. Mendicant orders provided this. The two main are the Dominicans and the Franciscans. They are both based on poverty. To come back to the original poverty is indeed a way to fight heresy. Thus, any ownership, induvidual or collective, is banned. [...]