Light in the Dark Ages

1
Light in the Dark Ages
St. Augustine of Hippo
2
Conditions in the Roman Empire during the fifth
century when the empire collapsed

• Germanic invasions had a foreign and violent
  influence on Roman culture
• Superstition replaced the Greco-Roman tradition
  of learning
• Literacy and learning declined along with the
  economies of nations

3
Ulphilas' influence on the Germanic tribes and
Christianity

• Ulphilas (Apostle of the Goths) translated the
  bible into Gothic
• As a result of his missionary work, the Goths,
  Burgundians, Lombards, and Vandals were converted
  to Arian Christianity

4
Key for the Church in converting the Germanic
tribes

• Monasticism was the key!!

5
Germanic invasions change Christian attitude in
the fifth century

• Many Christians believed the Second Coming was
  about to take place
• Many turned to monasticism to make amends for
  sin in the world

6
Christian Monasticism is unique!

• Men and women enter the monastic life in
  response to a vocational call
• They make a life-long commitment to model
  themselves after Christ
• They dedicate themselves to a life of prayer and
  penance

7
Eremitical life

• The Greek word for desert, eremos, gave this
  form of religious living the name eremitic (or
  eremitical) life , and the person leading it the
  name hermit.
• In this life, individuals withdraw into loosely
  organized groups to live an isolated life
• The Carthusians and the Carmelites are organized
  in this way

8
Early Hermits in Egypt

• They sought a life of prayer and secluded
  contemplation
• They were often interrupted by people asking for
  their prayers and guidance

9
Effects of the monasteries on Europe

• The recovery and evangelization of a rural
  society as communities of monks and nuns spread
  into farming areas to meet the spiritual needs of
  the people
• The establishment of primary centres of learning
  in Western culture. Monks preserved civilization
  by preserving and copying ancient Greek and Roman
  texts that would certainly have been lost
  otherwise
• The civilizing of the Germanic peoples by
  teaching them farming, trades, and spirituality

10
The Rule of St. Benedict

• The Rule promotes the spirit of peace, love, and
  moderation within monastic life
• This stands out in contrast to Eastern
  asceticism, which often included sleep
  deprivation and fasting as a means to spiritual
  growth

11
Benedictine vows

• Poverty
• Chastity
• Obedience

12
St. Scholastica

• She was the twin sister of St. Benedict
• She established and governed a convent in
  Plombariola, Italy, which followed the
  Benedictine Rule

13
Pope St. Gregory I

• He is considered the last of the Latin Doctors
• He marks the beginning of the medieval age,
  illustrating the noblest ideals of medieval
  Christianity as well as some of the tensions that
  would develop in the coming age

14
References
http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consecrated_life_(Cat
holic_Church)The_Eremitic_Life http//images.goo
gle.ca/images?gbv2svnum10hlenqMonasticism
http//www.brusselsjournal.com/files/Invasions_of_
the_Roman_Empi.gif http//www.tucsonmonastery.co
m/images/art/Saint20Scholastica.jpg
http//members.aol.com/kcc1tim/greggr.jpg
http//www.sbcw.org/images/iconben.jpg