The Church Comes of Age: the Medieval Church from 313-1300 A.D

The Medieval Church (476-1400 A.D.) Christendom: The Church Comes of Age Barbarian Invasions The Fall of Rome 410-476 A.D. St. Augustine of Hippo 354-430 A.D. (c. 400 A.D.) (c. 426 A.D.) Spiritual conversion from a Contrasts our temporary self-centered and immoral earthly home with eternal young man to fully Heaven, to promote hope embracing Christianity amid Rome’s collapse St. Monica St. Augustine Pride is at the heart of all sin We co-operate with God’s undeserved grace Our hearts are restless until they rest in God Barbarian Invasions St. Patrick c. 387-461 A.D. “Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.” -- Breastplate of St. Patrick St. Brigid of Ireland (Kildare) c. 451-525 A.D. Ended human sacrifice and slavery Preserved western civilization and education Promoted liberation for women St. Jerome 347-420 A.D. Latin Vulgate “The Scourge of God” Pope St. Leo the Great c. 400-461 A.D. “Peter has spoken through the Pontifex Maximus mouth of Leo.” Pope St. Gregory the Great 540-604 A.D. “The Pope is the servant of the servants of God.” The Dark Ages The Dark Ages • of the centralized Roman Empire in the West • Continual warfare • Chronic disease • Infrastructure falls in to disrepair • Few new advancements • Science, medicine, arts, education stagnate • Language breaks down into regional dialects • Law is loosely defined; order is harshly imposed Feudalism Social, economic and political system based on servitude and protection St. Benedict of Nursia 480-547 A.D. “Ora et Labora” Monk / Nun Stays inside to read, write, pray “A Red Letter Day” Benedict’s leadership structure helped the Church maintain stability and order during the “Dark Ages” Monte Casino “I’m tasting stars!” -- Dom Perignon Clovis – 1st Frankish-Christian King c. 466-511 A.D. Christendom Christianity as the dominant force in society Mass is Central to Life Devotion to Saints October 18 “lukewarm” 1st Class Relic Bodily remains of a saint 2nd Class Relic Clothing remains of a saint 3rd Class Relic Item touched by a saint Pilgrimages Mirror the Journey of Life.

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Discipline: the Narrow Road
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