The religious life is a phrase used to designate Christians who "have left all and followed Christ," usually to join a community (cenobium) of like-minded individuals. There are many examples of these life-styles to be found in the Catholic community.

Early Christians Band Together, Divide Their Goods

One of the most striking responses to the Resurrection of Jesus and the establishment of the Church, was that first community formed after Peter's stirring Pentecost sermon. After being baptized, these new Christians sold everything they had, laid it at the feet of the apostles, and began living together as a single, joyful close-knit community of prayer and discipleship. (Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35)

Paul Advocates Celibacy

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul spells out his personal belief (he has no commandment from the Lord on this) that the less complicated life of celibacy (the state of being unmarried to further one's dedication) offers certain special advantages to those who want to live the "religious life." (See entire chapter, 1 Cor7) This is definitely not a slam at married life or sexuality, but a belief that the single state provides more opportunities and fewer distractions for prayer and service in the Gospel.

'Martyr' Means 'Witness'

Persecution in the first few centuries of the Church called many Christians to witness to their faith by shedding their blood in martyrdom, rather than deny Christ. When this threat subsided, people began to look for other ways to express their desire to give their all for Christ.

Monasticism

A way of life that arose to fill this need was the monastic life. In its first form -- the anchoritic (or hermit) life -- individuals called monks went into the desert to live dedicated lives that were very hard on the body. Groups of these individuals were called cenobites, "monks in community." These cenobites combined the poverty and community of the early Christians, the celibacy recommended by Paul, and the hardness on the body of the desert anchorites. St. Benedict wrote a rule for cenobites around 500 A.D. that has lasted to this day. Benedict (born 480 AD) was somewhat "hard on the body," but his Rule for Monks represents a big, definite shift towards an inward, spiritual discipline, rather than an outward, physical one. As medieval monasteries filled with men constantly devoted to productive manual labor, they often became very wealthy, a condition not always healthy for the monastic life itself.

Rise of Modern Orders

New types of communities of dedicated men, or dedicated women, began to arise in the 13th century upwards. Often these centered their lives around a particular form of service. St. Francis of Assisi, who was a mendicant preacher (a beggar), founded the first of these Modern Orders; they were called the Franciscans (Friars Minor - "Little Brothers"). Orders of Preachers followed, as well as communities of teachers, catechists, missionaries, nurses and the like. Though many of these communities were and remain "service-oriented," still their basic purpose is the growth in personal holiness of their members. These too seek God.

Contemporary Monastic Communities

Modern monastic communities are of two types: 1) Those who follow the ancient custom of strict cloister, that is, their members seldom have contact with people or events outside the monastery, and 2) Those who combine some form of service with their contemplative life. The Benedictines have largely been in this latter category, and running schools has been a common activity for many of them. They also often help out with pastoral work in the areas where they are located.

St. Benedict's Farm is one of a large number of emerging lay communities. Many, like ours, are non-canonical, that is, self-governed, and not Church-sponsored. This means, among other things, we must support ourselves. While we do not embrace a particular or exclusive ministry (we're not nurses or teachers or the like), we do serve, especially in our local parish church. However, our main focus is on the business of Seeking God. We maintain the traditions of community, poverty, prayer and celibacy. Unlike cloistered monastic houses, we interact in society. That is why we like to call ourselves, Your Friendly Neighborhood Monks. At the same time we are "different." We wear a habit or uniform, and give up all right of private ownership -- whether it be property or the right to come and go as we please. Unlike most religious communities, past and present, our membership is open to both men and women.