Monastic orders. Medieval monastic orders

In Catholicism, monasticism, organized in congregations and brotherhoods, occupies an important position. Currently there are about 140 monastic orders, whose activities are led by the Vatican Congregation for Sanctified Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The most influential monastic orders are the Dominicans, Franciscans and Jesuits. Each of them has its own specifics and its own history of development.

Benedictines

Founder of the Benedictine monastery - Benedict of Nursia(480-547) became the founder of the first monastic rule. He founded a monastery in Monte in 530 Cassino, in which he established strict rules. This charter became the basis and example for the monks of other monasteries. The main rule was community life away from the bustle of the world. Monasteries were built in remote places, away from the influence of the world. Initially, there was no central organization; each monastery was independent. Monasteries became centers of education and training. The Benedictines were engaged in missionary activities in the Slavic lands and the Baltic states. Currently, the Benedictine Order unites over 10 thousand monks and 20 thousand nuns.

Monastic orders appeared in 910, after the abbot About from the monastery Cluny undertook a reform of the monastic organization. He proposed to unite many monasteries performing common tasks into orders that should obey central government. The purpose of such a unification was a return to strict observance of the rules, the deprivation of monasteries of autonomy and subordination to the pope, bypassing bishops, and the independence of the church from secular power.

Carmelites

Founder - Berthold of Calabria, leader of the crusaders. The order was founded in 1155 after the victorious Crusade. It got its name from its location - at the foot of the mountain Carmel in Palestine. After the Crusaders were defeated, in the 13th century. the order moved to Western Europe. In the 16th century The Carmelite Order split into several movements. A women's order arose in Spain Barefoot Carmelites, and then male. The peculiarities of the order include a reclusive lifestyle and living on alms. Carmelite monks are mainly engaged in missionary work, raising and educating children and youth.

Carthusians

The monastery was founded in 1084 in the province Chartreuse(lat. - Cartusia). It was officially approved in 1176. There is a female branch of the order, which was formed in 1234. A special feature of the monastery is the presence of large land property. The main source of wealth is the production and sale of Chartreuse liqueur.

Cistercians

First appeared in 1098 in a desert area Sieve (Cito). Since the 14th century There are nunnery monasteries. In 1115 the order was reformed Bernard of Clairvaux and received the name Bernardine. The monks of the order actively participated in the Crusades and supported the pope in his fight against secular authorities.

Franciscans

The monastery organized Francis of Assisi in 1207-1209 in Italy near Assisi. Francis of Assisi spoke out against the acquisitiveness of the papal hierarchs, against the distribution of positions by the pope to his relatives, and against simony (the buying and selling of church positions). He preached the benevolence of poverty, the renunciation of all property, sympathy for the poor, and a cheerful, poetic attitude toward nature. His mysticism was permeated with love for people. These ideas have become very popular and a short time received recognition in other European countries. Francis of Assisi created "Order of Friars Minor" - religious and moral community. Minorites- “the least of all people” - lived not in monasteries, but in the world, traveled, preached in the language of the common people, and were engaged in charity.

The renunciation of property aroused suspicion among the pope. At first, Francis of Assisi was forbidden to preach, then in 1210 he was allowed, but demanded to abandon the call to poverty. Francis did not comply. After his death, the order split. Extreme followers of Francis fratinelli(brothers) were declared heretics, many were burned. The remaining moderate followers became the pope's support. In 1525, the Franciscans separated capuchins(pointed hoods) to counter the Reformation. Since 1619, the Capuchins became an independent order.

Dominicans

The order was founded in 1216 by a Spaniard Dominic de Guzman. The purpose of the order was to fight heresy Albigensians, which spread to France, Germany and Italy. The Albigensians opposed catholic church hampering the development of cities. A crusade was declared against the Albigensians, which ended in the defeat of the heretics. The Dominicans also fought the heresy of the Cathars and other movements opposed to the Catholic Church, showing particular cruelty and uncompromisingness.

Dominicans take a vow of poverty, abstinence and obedience and are forbidden to eat meat. The requirement of poverty applies only to individuals, not to congregations. The emblem of the order is a dog with a lit torch in its mouth. They call themselves “dogs of the Lord” (lat. - dominicanes). In 1232 they were given leadership of the Inquisition. They become censors of Catholic orthodoxy. In their activities, the Dominicans used torture, executions, and prisons. Refused physical labor in favor of teaching and research. Prominent Catholic theologians emerged from the ranks of the order, including Thomas Aquinas, as well as several popes.

Knight brotherhoods

Spiritual knightly orders began to emerge in the territory of Palestine, conquered during the first Crusade, to protect the conquered lands. The knights took three monastic vows: chastity, poverty and obedience. Unlike ordinary monks, members of the orders had to fight for the faith with weapons in their hands. They obeyed only the pope and the order authorities - the chapter and the grand masters.

Hospitallers

Around 1070 a hospice house was built in Jerusalem ( hospitalis) for wounded and sick pilgrims. The house was given the name of St. John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria. Soon the monks caring for the wounded began to take part in the fighting themselves. In 1113, the pope approved the order's charter, according to which the Hospitallers, or Johannites, were called upon to fight the infidels. After the conquest of Palestine by the Muslims in 1309, the Johannites took possession of the island of Rhodes, and then, when the Ottomans captured it in 1522, they moved to the island of Malta, after which the order received the name Maltese. The distinctive feature of the order was a red cloak with a white cross.

Templars or Templars

The Order of the Templars or Templars arose at the beginning of the 12th century. It was named for the location of his residence near King Solomon's Temple. The distinctive feature of the order was a white cloak with a red cross. The Order has accumulated significant cash. After the fall of Jerusalem, the order moved to Cyprus, then to France. King Philip IV the Fair, seeking to seize the wealth of the order, accused the Templars of Manichaeism (a synthesis of Zoroastrianism and Christianity). In 1310, the knights were burned, the property passed to the king, and the order was abolished.

Warband

In the 12th century In 1190, German crusaders created a military monastic order in Palestine, based on the hospital of the Holy Virgin Mary - the Teutonic Order - after the name of the German tribe. At the beginning of the 13th century. he was transferred to the Baltic states, where he launched military activities in Prussia. The Order carried out a policy of feudal-Catholic expansion in the Baltic states and the northwestern Russian principalities. The difference between the Teutons was a white cloak with a black cross.

Jesuits

The name comes from Lat. SocietasJesu- "Society of Jesus". The order was founded in 1534, approved by the pope in 1540. The founder was a Spanish Basque, a nobleman, a former brave officer, crippled in battle, Ignatius of Loyola(1491-1556). The purpose of the order is to fight the Reformation, spread Catholicism, and unquestioning submission to the pope. The Jesuits are characterized by a strictly hierarchical structure, headed by a general subordinate to the pope. The Order is engaged in worldwide missionary activities.

ORDERS OF MONAS - inst-ti-tu-you are mo-na-she-st-vu-th in the Roman Church.

Monastic orders unite monastics who have brought eternal, or “tor-st-ven-nye”, monastic vows ( whole-wisdom, according to obedience and misfortune), in contrast to other forms of Catholic mo-na-she-st-va (kon-gra -ga-tions of re-li-gi-oz-nye, se-ku-lyar-nye in-st-ti-tu-you, society-st-va of apostolic life), pre-du- smat-ri-va-yushchih at-not-se-nie temporary, or “simple” ob-toves. For the Orders of monastic char-rak-ter-na there is a special structure, representing a community of communities (mo-na-sty-rey, pri-ora-tov, god-de-len, etc.), members of which are connected by a common establishment, established by -sing in Roman, sing-by-you through your heads (su-per-io-rov), by-passing the dio-Caesal-bishops, not-by- middle-ven-but to the Holy Pre-stol. Monastic orders are particularly special in divine service and spiritual tradition. Members of the monastic orders have a special distinctive ha-bit (clothing).

In the modern Catholic Church, according to the monastic orders in the narrow sense, operating on the basis of the ancient monastic traditions -ta-vov [be-not-dik-tin-tsy and you-de-lived-from them or-de-na, as well as uni-at-tsy (see Uni-at-st-vo ) or-de-na an-to-ni-an, wa-si-li-an and mkhi-ta-ristov], in the understanding of monastic orders in a broad sense (ho -th and not-exactly from the point of view of the Catholic Church) can also be included in the or-de-on re -gu-lyar-nyh ka-no-ni-kov (av-gu-stin-tsy, pre-mon-st-ran-you and others; see also Ka-no-nik), ni-schen-st -vu-schi-or-de-na (do-mi-ni-kan-tsy, French-tsi-scan-tsy, av-gu-stin-tsy-ere-mi-you, kar-me-li-you and etc.) and or-de-on re-gu-lyar-nyh kli-ri-kov (ye-zui-you, etc.). In the Middle Ages, there were other types of monastic Orders, for example, the spiritual knights and royal orders ( io-an-ni-you, tam-pliers, Tev-ton order, etc.), members of which, in the absence of the usual of our great vows, we also obliged ourselves, with weapons in our hands, to defend Christianity. Ti-po-lo-gi-che-ski, these monastic Orders are related to the regular ka-no-ni-kas (Tev-ton Order) or to ni-schen-st-vuyu-shim or-de-us (for example, io-an-ni-you).

The first attempt to create a special mo-na-she-or-ga-ni-za-tion, uniting individual mo-na-sta-ri , from-no-sit-xia to the beginning of the 9th century - re-form-ma Be-ne-dik-ta Ani-an-sko-go, striving to create a network of mo-na- sty-ray, united ideas of pure-you-use-of-the-us-ta-va of the Reverend Be-ne-dik-ta Nur-siy-skogo. The center of this mo-na-she-skaya or-ga-ni-za-tion became the ab-bat-st-vo In-den (near Achen-na, founded in 814 or 817 year), created by Emperor Lu-do-vi-k Bla-go-hon-ti-you for Be-ne-dik-ta Ani-an-sko-go, and the head is Be-ne himself -dict. In 817, he convened a council of ab-ba-tov in Akha-ne, on which the su-gu-bo mo-na-styr-skie questions were resolved, without direct participation of the episcopate. Re-for-ma Be-ne-dik-ta Ani-an-sko-go is not yet under-ra-zu-me-va-la from-ya-tiya mo-na-sty-ray from juris-diction local bishops, and the head of Be-ne-dik-ta ba-zi-ro-va-elk in his personal car-to-ri-te-te and supported by im-pe-ra-to-ra and did not have any legal basis. Similar reforms were carried out in the 10th century in Lo-ta-rin-giya by Ger-har-dom Bronski and Io-an-nom from Gor-tse, as well creating the ob-e-di-non-re-for-mi-ro-vans of the mo-na-sty-reys. These movements had no further development and declined with the death of their breath. Os-no-voy be-ne-dik-tin-skogo or-de-na sta-la re-form-ma Bur-gund-skogo ab-bat-st-va Klu-ni, po-lu -chiv-she-go (in 909 or 910) papal ex-zem-tion (direct subordination to Rome). All those who joined the Klu-niy re-form of the mo-na-sty-ri also you-di-were from the jurisdiction of the locality nyh bishops, and they stood under ab-ba-tu Klu-ni and through him - pa-pe. Ab-bat Klu-ni was the head of the entire living layer around Klu-ni ob-e-di-ne-niya mo-na-sty-ray. Once upon a time, we joined Klu-ni mo-na-sty-ri, how many of them did not grow -lo with the race-country-no-reform-we for the borders of France and Burgundy, had their own customs (consuetu-di-nes), different from the traditions of Klu-ni. The attempts of the Roman popes in the 13th-14th centuries to create a central-li-zo-van-ny order of be-ne-diktin-tsev were in fact not advisable. carried the us-pe-ha and brought to the ras-pa-du be-ne-dik-tin-tsev (XV-XVII centuries) to a number of internal sub-divisions - con- gree-tions, from-whether-the-spirit-of-the-st-vom (life-long or temporary position of the ab-ba-ta) and the spirit noah on-right-len-no-styu (emphasis on mo-lit-wu or scientific z-nya-tiya).

At one time, from the 11th century, a number of monastic orders began to emerge from the non-diktins, members of which -we-were to the greater as-ke-tiz and strict application of the be-not-diktin-s-us-ta-va. Thus, in the 1st half of the 11th century in Italy, within the framework of the be-ne-dik-tin tradition, the order of ka-mal-du-lov (ka-mal -dul-len-sky era-mi-tov), ​​who are drawn to a hermit-like and creative way of life, - in pro-ti-in-weight Klyu-niy social-residential be-non-dik-tin-tsam with their ideal of social prayer. Or-den ka-mal-du-lov was founded by the holy Ro-mu-al-dom (died in 1027) and received the development of the b-go-da-rya Pet- ru Yes-mia-ni. Its center was the ab-bat-st-vo of Fon-te-Avel-la-na near Ra-ven-na. Similar ideals were used and members of the or-de-na kar-tu-zi-an-tsev, which were formed at the end of the 11th - first 1st half of the 12th centuries.

In the 2nd half of the 11th century, an order of cis-ter-tsi-an-tsev, which received its name from ab-bat-st-va Si-to [lat. Cis-ter-tsi-um (Cistercium)] in Sham-pa-ni, becoming their first abode. A special distribution of the order began in the middle of the 12th century thanks to the activities of Ber-nar-da Kler-vo-skogo . Cis-ter-tsi-an-tsy you-stu-pa-li for the rise-ro-zh-de-nie su-ti be-not-dik-tin-go-us-ta-va, ko- I see them in the physical labor of mon-on-khov and their social service and mission-sio-ner-st-ve. The Or-den received a strict structure of internal governance. In the New Age, from the cis-ter-tsi-an-tsev from-de-li or-de-na fel-yan-tin-tsev (1577, up-divided at the end of the 18th century) and trap-pi-stov (1664), differing from tre-bo-va-ni-em more strictly as-ke-tiz-ma.

TO XVIII century Basically, the or-ga-ni-za-tions of the Eastern-Catholic (Uni-at-skih) mo-na-khovs were formed in the same way: mkhi-ta-ristov (ar-mya -not-unia-you), va-si-li-an (unia-you of the Greek ob-rya-yes) and an-to-ni-an (ma-ro-ni-you).

Most of the monastic orders also have a female line, autonomous, but located in the op-re-de-len jurisprudence. divine za-vi-si-mo-sti from the man.

Close to the monastic orders in a narrow sense are regular ka-no-ki, the main life for some services - lives in the mouth of blessed Av-gu-sti-na. The tradition of the cliques, who lead the modern way of life, dates back to the 4th century. In 816, an attempt was made to ob-e-di-thread in the pre-biya mo-na-styr-skih communities of ka-pi-tu-ly so-bor- nykh churches. This initiative bore its first fruits at the end of the 11th century. By this time, from-no-sit-sia, an or-de-on re-gu-lar-nyh ka-no-ni-kov-av-gu-stin arose -tsev. Already in the 12th century, various con-gre-ga-tions appeared among the Av-gu-stinians (ka-no-ni-ki ab-bat-st-va Saint-Victor in Pa- ri-same; see Saint-Victor-school) and local ca-pi-tu-ly. The Av-gu-stin-tsy did not have a unified government, and only at the local level was it implemented -ra-ni-eat ka-pit-lov. In pro-ty-in-false-ness they are pre-mon-st-ran-you (the order of the os-no-van by Saint Nor-bert of Xan-ten-sky in the 1st half of the 12th century in Northern France) for-im-st-vo-va-li the cis-ter-tsi-an-tsev have a strict system of center-tra-li-call. number of management.

TO XIII century from-but-sit-sya color-color of impoverished or-de-novs (they were from-all their own-st-ven-no-sti and su -sche-st-vo-va-li only at the expense of mi-lo-sty-ni): do-mi-ni-kan-tsev (os-no-van in the 1st quarter of the 13th century), French qi-skan-tsev (ut-verzh-den in 1209), ser-vi-tov (1233), av-gu-stin-tsev-ere-mi-tov (established in 1244, ut-verzh- day in 1256), tri-ni-ta-ri-ev (1198), etc. Beggarly or-de-nas have 3 branches: mo-na-she-skie (male and female) and lay people leading an ascetic life, the so-called ter-tsia-ri-ev (“third order”). This structure can be traced most clearly among the Do-mi-ni-kans. The French-Scan-ts would-have-made-a-de-le-nie (window-cha-tel-but-for-crea-p-le-but in 1517) on con-ven -tua-lov, before the softening of the three-bo-va-niy or-den-skogo us-ta-va, and ob-ser-van-tov, on-stay- vav-shih on their strict compliance. Or-den kar-me-li-tov arose in the 12th century in Pa-le-sti-ne as or-ga-ni-za-tion ere-mi-tov (from-shel-ni-kov), od -later, there was a re-form-mi-ro-wan as a penniless order (1247), although with an emphasis on strict success- le-nii from the world and contemplative life, in pro-ti-in-weight to other penniless or-de-us, which are active but for-no-ma-li pro-ve-dyu christian-st-va and pastoral activity. Members of the or-de-na tri-ni-ta-ri-ev sacred themselves first of all over the Christians, I'm in captivity with foreigners. A similar goal was pursued by members of the brother-st-va mer-se-da-ri-ev.

Or-de-on the re-gu-lar-nyh kli-ri-kov on-cha-whether in the era of Counter-re-for-ma-tion (the first of them is the order tea-tin-tsev, 1524; the most famous - ye-zui-you). Their members, not connected, as distinct from the monks, are obligated to remain in the community and perform -shchin-nu-tur-gy of hours, in-holy-by-pas-tyr-skoy activity, education and de-lam mi -lo-ser-dia.

Spiritual-knight-royal or-de-nas, which arose in the 11th-13th centuries in Pa-les-stin, Pri-bal-ti-ke and Pi-re-ney peninsula, played an important role in the events of the Crusades and Re-con-ki-sty. However, by the New Time, they were all either up-divided (there-pliers), or turned into cor-po-ra-tion of the secular Ari-sto-kra-tiya (Spanish and Port-Tugalese or-de-na), or switched to charitable activity (io-an-ni-you, Tev-ton order).

With the development of the Re-formation, the activity of the monastic Orders in Northern Europe co-occurred, one of the blessings of Ve -li-kim geo-graphic-che-che-from-the-opening-holes of the Order, monastic races-spread in other regions of the world, head-of-all in Ama -ri-ke, where they became the main force of the Christian mission. A prominent role both in missionary activities and in the pro-ti-standing of the Re-form-ma-tion of the game of Je-zui -you, as well as the ni-schen-st-vuyuu or-de-na do-mi-ni-kan-tsev and french-scan-tsev. Similar activity in the 18th century brought the monastic Orders into conflict with the rulers of many states, as a result That's why a number of orders were up-divided (some of them were revived in the 19th century). In the era of Enlightenment and in the 19th century, members of the monastic orders began to pay more and more attention to scientific works and publications. ka-tion of ancient Christian monuments (for example, Mav-rists), social work, creation of various benefits -creative educational institutions. Re-form-ma of the can-no-nic law (1983), li-k-vi-di-ro-vav a number of formal features, characteristic for Monastic orders, bringing them closer to other types of religious institutes of the Roman Church.

Additional literature:

Kar-sa-vin L.P. Mo-na-she-st-vo in the Middle Ages. St. Petersburg, 1912. M., 1992;

Dizionario degli istituti di perfezione / Ed. G. Pellicia, G. Rocca. Roma, 1974-2003. Vol. 1-10;

Leyser H. Her-mits and the new monasticism: a study of religious communities in Western Europe 1000-1150. L., 1984;

Dall'ere-mo al cenobio... Mil., 1987;

Lesegretain C. Les grands ordres re-li-gieux: hier et aujord'hui. P., 1990;

Jor-dan Omann O.R. Christian spirituality in some tradition. Rome; Lublin, 1994;

Lawrence C.H. The friars: the impact of the early mendicant movement on Western society. L., 1994.

Monastic orders

Outside the hierarchical structure of the Church are the so-called institutions of consecrated life. Clergy and laity who have taken vows of chastity, poverty and obedience (or other sacred bonds), dedicating themselves to God and serving the people of God, form these institutions - monastic orders, congregations, and societies of apostolic life. Often they report not to the diocesan bishops in whose territory they operate, but directly to the pope.

The uniqueness of Catholicism lies in its monastic orders, of which today there are about 140. St. Benedict, and the basis of the life of most orders is the Rule of St. Benedict, but modern orders have own rules, common to which is the principle of unconditional subordination to the centralized order power. In the middle of the 5th century. St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, initiated the practice of living in monastic associations by founding a kind of monastic community in his home. This is how Augustinian and Benedictine monasticism appeared and the division of monasticism into orders arose. This practice distinguishes Catholicism from Orthodoxy, which knows no such division. Subsequently, the monasticism of the Benedictine Rite was fragmented, and in the 11th–12th centuries. new orders appear - Cistercians, Carthusians, Carmelites, Premonstratensians, Trinitarians. The Crusades gave rise to spiritual knightly orders. In the 13th century A new type of mendicant monastic orders emerges - Dominican and Franciscan. Mendicant orders, in addition to the three vows common to all, take a vow of poverty (Franciscans, Dominicans, Bernardines, Capuchins, etc.), which does not allow them to own income-generating property. Order of Friars Minor ( Fratres minores), to which the Franciscans and Capuchins belong, today has about 25 thousand members. By tradition, they combine the preaching of love and mercy with charitable work in organizing hospitals and shelters. The female order of the Clarissas has about 11 thousand nuns. The mendicant order of the Dominicans, or Friars Preachers, which was originally an “order of scholars,” has about 7 thousand monks and 6 thousand nuns. At one time, they were given control over the activities of the Inquisition, and they combined scientific studies with inquisitorial duties. Now they continue to work scientific research in Theology and Religious Education. The Augustinian Order and its branch, the Order of Recollects, number about 4 thousand monks and 6 thousand Augustinian sisters.

Orders are also divided into contemplative (Benedictines) and active in the world (Lazarists, etc.). The rules of contemplative orders are more strict. The main thing for these monks is prayer, and work is considered necessary only to maintain life. The most severe asceticism is observed by Carthusian and Trappist monks. The number of monks in these orders is declining: there are about 1,400 Cistercians left, about 3 thousand Trappists, and only about 400 Carthusians.

Nowadays the most influential is the Jesuit Order, with about 25 thousand members. The whole world is divided by the Jesuits into 77 provinces, where they actively pursue the policy of the highest church leadership, exerting, in turn, enormous influence on all aspects of the Church's activities. The center of concern of the Jesuit Order today, as in former times, is Catholic (and not only) education. At the beginning of the 21st century. The Jesuits led 177 Catholic universities in many countries and 500 schools with 1.5 million students. The influence of the Jesuit Order is exercised mainly through the Catholic press, as well as radio and television, which are almost completely controlled by it. More than a thousand titles of magazines and newspapers (including the theoretical organ of the Vatican, the journal Civilta Cattolica) are published by the Jesuits in fifty languages ​​of the world. IN Russian Federation The order is registered by the Ministry of Justice and has been operating since October 1992 as the Independent Russian Region of the Society of Jesus.

In the middle of the 20th century. a new monastic order appeared - founded by Mother Teresa in Calcutta in 1948, the congregation of the Sisters of Charity, or the Order of Merciful Christian Love, the Order of selfless service to the poorest and most disadvantaged. Mother Teresa of Calcutta(1910–1997) established schools, hospitals and orphanages in 77 countries. In 1979, Mother Teresa was awarded Nobel Prize"For activities to help suffering humanity."

Catholic monasticism is organized into orders and congregations. They include the “black” (“regular” clergy) as opposed to the “white” or “lay” clergy. They are engaged in preaching, teaching, missionary work, and charity. Basically, orders and congregations are headed by generals subordinate to the pope. The general of the Jesuit order is elected for life and approved by the pope. All monastic associations are led by the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. At the beginning of the 21st century. there were about 214 thousand monks (of which about 149 thousand priests) and about 908 thousand nuns.

Among the institutions of consecrated life, a special place is occupied by the “personal prelature” of the Pope, “Opus Dei” (lat. Opus Dei- God's work). Opus Dei was founded by a Spanish priest. Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer(1902–1975) in 1928 and declared its goal to be “the awakening in all social groups of the consciousness of the vocation to holiness and apostolate.” In fact, he was creating a movement capable of organizing society in accordance with the principles of the papal encyclicals on social issues. To do this, Opus Dei members had to infiltrate higher authorities power and achieve influence in world politics and economics. The creation of this structure was a reaction of right-wing Catholic circles in Spain to the growth of republican influences and the radicalization of society. After the establishment of the Spanish Republic in 1931, far-right Catholic elements coalesced around Opus Dei. The victory of the counter-revolution helped Opus Dei spread throughout Spain. Later, Franco's fascist regime relied on politicians and technocrats from Opus Dei and, thanks to their connections and influence in industrial and financial circles, achieved certain successes in the economy and government. The Vatican initially viewed this organization with suspicion as a new heresy and even a Catholic variety of Freemasonry. However, in 1942, Pius XII approved Opus Dei. After World War II, Escrivá de Balaguer moved the organization's leadership center to Rome. Its expansion begins first in Europe (including Eastern Europe), and then on other continents. In 1947, de Balaguer became the personal prelate of Pope Pius XII with the title of monsignor. In 1950, Opus Dei received secular status church organization, subordinate to the Congregation for the Orders. However, the leadership of the Congregation treated it with distrust (as did the diocesan bishops) due to the secrecy of its structure and methods of activity. Popes John XXIII and Paul VI also did not favor Opus Dei.

Opus Dei consists of three groups. "Numerarii", or full members, live in celibacy and take other monastic vows. Among them, a group of 72 people is part of a narrow circle of leaders led by the father-chairman. "Supranumeraries", or "supernumeraries", are not bound by secret vows and are simply trusted employees. Secular Catholics are included in Opus Dei through a bilateral agreement. More than 70% of secular members have families. The Father Chairman of Opus Dei has unlimited power. Iron discipline and strict subordination to superiors reign here. Membership in Opus Dei is kept secret even from loved ones.

The “Catholic Freemasons,” as members of Opus Dei are often called, found themselves in great honor by Pope John Paul II. In 1982, this organization was given the rank of “personal prelature,” subordinate directly to the Pope: this meant that it was removed from the jurisdiction of the diocesan leadership. In 2002, at the initiative of John Paul II, who recognized the “heroic” nature of de Balaguer’s virtues, he was canonized.

Now Opus Dei is one of the most numerous and influential organizations of priests and laity. It includes 85 thousand members on all continents. Opus Dei carries out its tasks with the help of its own clergy - almost two thousand “included” priests, as well as special groups of secular Catholics. Opus Dei professors and teachers work in more than 400 universities. Members of Opus Dei are included in the governments of many countries, holding high positions there, and in the leadership of the media. However, their names are known only to the leaders of the “personal prelature” at the Vatican.

Catholic monasticism is now going through difficult times, because strict medieval monastic rules contradict the modern way of life. However, it is precisely because of their “otherness” that they bring dynamism to the life of the Church, as they try to combine asceticism with social service and practice new types of modern Catholic religiosity.