Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Monastic school of Aran On the island of Aran Mor, Ireland . It was an ancient center of sanctity and learning, c.500-800. Saint Enda attracted followers thither, among them, Brendan the Navigator, Finnian of Clonard, Columcille, and Ciaran. Nearly all the Twelve Apostles of Erin visited Aran. Remains of distinct monasteries at Killeany, Kilronan, Kilmurvey, … Continue reading “Monastic school of Aran”

MONASTIC Something belonging to monks, or the monkish life. The monastic profession is a kind of civil death, which in all worldly matters has the same effect with the natural death. The council of Trent, &c. fix sixteen years the age at which a person may be admitted into the monastical state. St. Anthony is … Continue reading “MONASTIC”

Monastery, Canonical Erection of a A religious house (monastery or convent) is a fixed residence of religious persons. It supposes, therefore, continuous habitation of a community strictly so called, governed by a superior and following the rule prescribed by the respective order. Such a religious house is to be distinguished from a grange or farm, … Continue reading “Monastery, Canonical Erection of a”

monastery, canonical erection of The general requirements for the canonical erection of a monastery , whether of regulars or moniales, apart from the requirements of the Order’s constitutions, are: (1) permission of the Holy See, i.e., of the Congregation of Religious (2) permission in writing of the Ordinary of the place (3) sufficient provision for … Continue reading “monastery, canonical erection of”

MONASTERY A convent or house built for the reception of religious; whether it be abbey, priory, nunnery, or the like. Monastery is only properly applied to the houses of monks, mendicant friars, and nuns: the rest are more properly called religious houses. For the origin of monasteries, see MONASTIC, and MONK. The houses belonging to … Continue reading “Monastery”

monasteries, suppression of Besides the extensive losses suffered by the Church as a result of the Reformation, civil authorities of certain European countries, desirous of the lands and income enjoyed by the religious orders, carried on a systematic seizure of monastic properties, notably in Germany , the Iberian peninsula, Italy , and England . In … Continue reading “monasteries, suppression of”

monasteries, Scoto-Hibernian A term which includes the monastic institutions founded during the 6th century in Scotland, through the zeal and energy of Saint Columba. They grouped themselves round Iona, which they acknowledged as the mother-house. Traces of Columban foundations are to be found in the northern, eastern and western districts of Scotland, formerly occupied by … Continue reading “monasteries, Scoto-Hibernian”

Monasteries in England, Suppression of From any point of view the destruction of the English monasteries by Henry VIII must be regarded as one of the great events of the sixteenth century. They were looked upon in England, at the time of Henry’s breach with Rome, as one of the great bulwarks of the papal … Continue reading “Monasteries in England, Suppression of”

Monasteries in Continental Europe, Suppression of Under this title will be treated only the suppressions of religious houses (whether monastic in the strict sense or houses of the mendicant orders) since the Reformation. The somewhat more general subject of state encroachments on Church property will be found treated under such titles as LAICIZATION; COMMENDATORY ABBOT; … Continue reading “Monasteries in Continental Europe, Suppression of”

monasteries, double Communities of both men and women dwelling in contiguous establishments, united under one superior, in order that the spiritual needs of the nuns might be attended to by the priests. The system, of eastern origin, sprang up with monasticism and came into the West, to Gaul, probably through the influence of Cassian. The … Continue reading “Monasteries, Double”