Why do people join to become a monk?

Answer 1

The short answer is "a devout and firm belief in the Christian faith, with the resulting wish to serve God."

The long answer is much more complex and in fact we have no certain means of knowing what was in most men's minds when they applied to become novices in a monastery. We know that in the 12th and 13th centuries the idea of a secluded life devoted entirely to God was a very appealing prospect and applicants were often placed on a waiting list because there were not enough vacancies.

Men applying to join were expected to give up all their wealth, lands and possessions (if they had any) as well as making a donation to the monastery itself. Some fled to a monastery because of ill health, poverty or some shameful event in their lives; the cloister was a refuge from worldly problems and provided a reliable source of food and drink, a warm bed and a structured daily routine.

Some young men, at least until the early 1200s, were given by their parents to a monastery, often because the parents could not afford to feed another child. These were called oblati (Oblates) and they did not always remain.

Both novices and oblati served a probationary period to see if they were suitable and if they took to the strict regime with sufficient religious enthusiasm; if not, they were politely asked to leave or could simply leave of their own accord. During this period they received a good education, learning to read and write in Latin - this opened up an entire new world of knowledge to which most had previously no access.

In many cases young men joined as a result of a long-held desire to become monks: Abbot Samson of Bury St Edmunds had experienced a dream at the age of 9, following which he had no other ambition than to become a monk. He took his monastic vows in 1166 and was made Abbot in 1182.

Recruitment gradually reduced in the 14th and 15th centuries and by the time of the closure of all English monasteries in 1538 there were only token numbers of monks in each one.

Answer 2

There are many jobs and avocations that require a special person to do. These include (but are not limited to) monks, police, doctors, butchers, and cave explorers.

If you are not inclined to adopt one of these lifestyles it is difficult to explain why anyone else would.

In the case of a monk, people driven to a quite life of contemplation, a need to do "good" in the world, or who feel they have received a "higher calling" from their god(s) or philosophical beliefs would see the job as just right for them.

Answer 3

Some people want a life of peace and tranquility, so they move off to a monastery to live in peace, not be involved in wars, and to abstain from sin. They look at it like this: Without beer or wine you can not get drunk. Without girls you can not commit adultery Without bad people around you, you will not be tempted to be bad. Think of it like this: Have you ever heard the saying 'You are who your friends are'? This is true, if you surround yourself with people who drink, it is very likely you will drink. If you surround yourself with nerds, it is very likely you will be a nerd. Their thought: If I surround my self with good people and away from sin, I will be less likely to sin. But mostly peace.

Answer 4

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