WAYS OF LIFE

MONKS AND MONASTERIES IN L'EMPORDÀ

Under the feudal system the monasteries became a shelter for the helpless to whom they offered hospitality. Apart from that, the monasteries were the place where the monks devoted themselves to worship God and teach the villagers.

On the other hand, the ecclesiastic authorities were the owners of large land expanses and whenever there was an occasion they fought to increase the size and number of them. As the monks preached God was in their favour nobody dared to oppose them. This way many peasants lost all or part of their belongings.

Rivalries between monasteries were not uncommon as all of them wanted to get more and better lands.

Discipline and democracy inspired the life and organisation of the monasteries. There were 3 main premises to be followed: a life of hard work, total obedience and equality among the monks. The Benedictine order is a clear example of what has just been mentioned.

The monks wore a hooded robe like the Roman slaves; they had their hair cut and avoided any sort of luxury. They also lived on a daily portion of wheat bread, wine and oil. Soup was the commonest food. (A recipe that dates back to the XIIth.century has been found in the monastery of Banyoles ). Pickled fish and meat were introduced in the monasteries by some counts who wanted to present the monks.

Christmas Day, Boxing Day and The Epiphany were celebrated with banquets. On these occasions a really tasty wine called nectar was served. It contained honey and a pinch of pepper.

The running of a monastery was similar to that of a self-sufficient town: they fulfilled their own needs.

While the monks were travelling, they used to sleep in other monasteries that belonged to the same order. According to the tradition, there was a monastery at every stage of the journey , so they could reach Rome without problems.