1. Asceticism. Clergy and laymen practiced various forms of self-denial without becoming actual monks.
2. The hermit life, which was asceticism pushed to an external separation from the world. Here are to be found anchorites, and stylites or pillar-saints.
3. Coenobitism, or monastic life proper, consisting of associations of monks under one roof, and ruled by an abbot.
4. Monastic orders, or unions of cloisters, the various abbots being under the authority of one supreme head, who was, at first, generally the founder of the brotherhood.
Under this last division are to be classed the Mendicant Friars, the Military Monks, the Jesuits and other modern organizations. The members of these orders commenced their monastic life in monasteries, and were therefore coenobites, but many of them passed out of the cloister to become teachers, preachers or missionary workers in various fields.
NOTE D
Matins. One of the canonical hours appointed in the early church, and still observed in the Roman Catholic Church, especially in monastic orders. It properly begins at midnight. The name is also applied to the service itself, which includes the Lord's Prayer, the Angelic Salutation, the Creed and several psalms.
Lauds, a religious service in connection with matins; so called from the reiterated ascriptions of praise to God in the psalms.
Prime. The first hour or period of the day; follows after matins and lauds; originally intended to be said at the first hour after sunrise.
Tierce, terce. The third hour; half-way between sunrise and noon.