History of Religious life

An Introduction.

General introductionReligious life is not peculiar to

Christianity. It exists is a number of religious traditions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam.

We will focus on the Christian tradition.

Life Cycles of Religious InstitutionsFoundation phase– time of energy and

vision but struggling resources (20-30 years)Expansion phase– period of consolidation

and mission in which society admits the need for the institution’s original vision (50+ years)

Stabilization phase– stage of systemization and social respectability in which the work prospers but the vision fades (100+ years)

Breakdown phase - Period of membership & morale decline (20 – 50 years)

Transition phase - choice of death , minimal survival or authentic renewal

Transition phaseTotal extinction

◦ 76% of all male religious groups founded prior to 1500

◦ 64% of those founded before 1800Minimal survival

◦ 5% of groups founded before 1800 have a current membership larger than 2,000

Authentic renewal◦ Transforming response to the signs of the times◦ Return to the founding charism◦ Profound renewal of prayer life and centredness

in Christ.

History of Religious lifePre-Christian influenceEarly church (until 250)Cycle 1:Desert Fathers and Mothers(250-

500)Cycle II : 1st Benedictine era; religious Life

in the West (500-900)Cycle III : 2nd Benedictine era (900 – 1200)Cycle IV: Mendicant era (1200-1500)Cycle V: Apostolic era(1500 – 1800)Cycle VI : Missionary era (1800- present)

Early churchDrew upon the social mores,

philosophical thought attitudes to women and the prevalent attitudes to the body.

Early Christian women lived as virgins – variety of motives

Desert Fathers and MothersSyria and EgyptHermits initially individuals but evolved into

colonies as individuals such as Antony gained reputations that attracted others to them.

Unstructured lifeLived in individual huts and were called

monks (alone)Numbers grew to 1000’s led to

establishment of communitiesDecline 451 – Council of Chalcedon drew up a code of

legislation for the founding and governing of monasteries

1st Benedictine EraRule written in 540Spiritual document to inspire or a

juridical document to control?Became a powerful cultural,

educational and social influence in Church and society

In early 9th Century monastic reform programme was instituted by Charlemagne – wished to rule the church and imposed the rule on all monasteries of his realm.

Monasteries developed as separate entities.

Centres of learning, hospitality. Enclosed systems involving not

just monks but slice of society – lands etc

Became enmeshed in the prevailing social system began to accumulate corporate wealth led to them often becoming decedent and in need of reform.

2nd Benedictine EraCluney reform revitalised the

former stateCistercians attempted to

recapture the purity of Benedict’s rule.

With crusades emerged groups such as hospitallers, Templers

With problems in church life 4th Lateran council attempted to control the state of disarray.

Lest the extreme diversity of Religious Orders lead to confusion in the church of God, we firstly prohibit anyone else to found a Religious Order. But whoever wishes to enter Religious Life , let him join an Order already established. Similarly with anyone wanting to set up a new Religious house, let him choose a rule and form of life from among the approved Religious Orders.

Mendicant era Franciscans, Dominicans,

Carmelites.Church was not to be identified

with monasteries and institutions, Christ could be encountered in the market place and classroom.

Founders used and adapted previous rules. (Dominic- St Augustine; Francis the Gospel)

Apostolic EraJesuits and other groups of men

and women established to undertake a variety of works.

Great variety of apostolatesClose liaison between

hierarchical church and religious groups.

New initiatives in education , health care

Beginnings of emancipation for Religious women frustrated by Council of Trent.

Missionary Era.approx 40,000 religious in 1814

10% of the number at end of 18th Century

Growth of new congregations of sisters brothers and priests (many founded in France)

1850 80,000 religious1960 1, 330,000 religious1990 940,000 religious

General Reflections Religious movements or congregations emerge in

times of chaos (church or world) Founders have sense of the critical needs of the

church and world, a deep relationship with Christ, and creative responses to the problems they perceive.

Founders seek to imitate Christ. Primary emphasis in founding is on the call for

personal and community conversion. Since 3rd Century Community life has been an

important part. Congregations become the people they recruit. Since 13th Century the institutional church has

attempted (with considerable success) to domesticate the prophetic function of religious congregations.