For Better For Worse: Essays on Sex, Love, Marriage, and More (Ataraxia Book 4) by Burton Neel

Author:Burton, Neel [Burton, Neel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Acheron Press
Published: 2021-01-17T16:00:00+00:00

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Monastic orders: Active orders

Active orders seek to reach out rather than remain remote and cloistered.

Because they do not aim at self-sufficiency, they usually live off the generosity of others, making them so-called mendicant (‘begging’) orders. Adherents of mendicant orders are called friars [Latin, frater , ‘brother’] rather than monks.

The Franciscans (greyfriars) are a group of related mendicant orders established in 1209 by St Francis of Assisi, who sought to a return to the source by emulating the simplicity and engagement of Jesus. Franciscans follow the example of their founder, radical at the time, of wandering, preaching, and begging, although there are some communities that are more focused on contemplation.

Like the Franciscans, the Dominicans (Order of Preachers, blackfriars, jacobins) seek to take the gospel out to the people. But if the Franciscans see God as love, the Dominicans see Him more as truth, and seek to achieve their aims primarily through preaching and teaching. Founded in 1216 by St Dominic of Caleruega, the order is noted for its intellectual tradition and intellects such as Albertus Magnus and Thomas Aquinas. The religious orthodoxy and intellectual dexterity of the Dominicans put them at the forefront of the Inquisition, when they acquired the sobriquet ‘Hounds of the Lord’ [Latin, Domini canes ].

Founded in 1540 by soldier-turned-mystic St Ignatius of Loyola, the Jesuits (Society of Jesus) are colloquially referred to as ‘God’s soldiers’. The order emphasizes education, missionary evangelism, and obedience to the papacy. It does not require its members to live strictly in community, giving them more latitude to go out and travel. Jesuits seek to ‘find God in all things’ and dedicate themselves to charitable causes ‘for the greater good of God’ [Latin, Ad maiorem Dei gloriam, AMDG ]. The teaching in their many schools and universities is broad and liberal, and they also run spiritual retreats—St Ignatius also being the author of the influential Spiritual Exercises . As missionaries, the Jesuits played an important role in the Counter-Reformation, but have generally stood on the margins of Church hierarchy. Pope Francis is the first Jesuit Pope.

Influence of monasticism

Aside from the more religious and spiritual dimensions, monasticism has served a number of important social functions.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the monasteries helped to preserve important texts, and education and culture in general. They also created culture, by their highly disciplined monks and nuns, and as important patrons of art, music, and architecture, among others. To this day, university life is modelled on the monastic ideal, with quadrangles and cloisters, chapels and gardens, dormitory residences, communal meals, and elaborate robes and rituals.

In feudal societies, the monasteries provided a refuge from war, famine, and disease, and served as outlets for the younger sons of noble families, celibates, and other spares and misfits. In their drive for self-subsistence, they contributed to the development of agriculture and manufacturing, notably turning viticulture and winemaking into high arts. Only in modern times did the welfare state supersede them in the provision of social services such as health and education.

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