The Roman Catholic Church in Medieval Europe

Mendicant

"beggars"; Friars who lived in complete poverty and had to work or beg for food for themselves or the poor (like the Franciscan friars)

Extreme Unction

A blessing in which a person who is in danger of death is blessed by a priest

Eucharist

A central part of the mass; the priest blesses bread and wine to represent the body and blood of Jesus

Pilgrim

A person taking a journey to a holy site

Crusades

A series of military expeditions aimed at capturing Jerusalem for Christians

Age of Faith

A title given to the Middle Ages because of its faith

Thomas Aquinas

An Italian scholar who tried to bridge the gap between reason and faith

Baptism

Entry to the Church; a priest pours water gently over a person's head at the baptismal font

A new form of writing with both upper- and lowercase letters made reading easier; Universities were created for advanced study

Explain two advances in education during the Middle Ages.

Confirmation

Formal declaration of belief in God and the Church

archbishops

Heads of large areas called archdiocese, ranks below cardinals

Priests

Heads of local churches, ranks below bishops

Most art was made for religious purposes. Paintings and sculptures in churches helped people to worship. Since most people couldn't read, art helped to tell the story of Jesus's life or Bible stories in a way everyone could understand.

How did Christianity influence art in the Middle Ages?

Matrimony

Marriage; a formal union blessed by the Church

Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV

Monarch who attempted to declare that Pope Gregory VII was no longer pope, was excommunicated and had to beg forgiveness to reenter the Church

Saint Benedict

The man who developed the monastic way of life in western Europe

Pope Gregory VII

This Church leader who declared that priests should not marry and monarchs should not appoint Church leaders, he excommunicated Henry IV after Henry attempted to remove his power

Saint Francis of Assisi

This individual gave up his wealth, served the poor, and began the Franciscan order

Flying buttresses, gargoyles, stained-glass windows

What are some of the architectural features of a Gothic Cathedral?

nave & transept

What are the two parts of a cross-shaped Medieval church?

provided leadership; organized the distribution of food; provided hospitality to refugees; copied & preserved old texts to keep learning alive; helped to bring new converts to the faith

What roles did the Roman Catholic church play in society after the fall of Rome?

Monasteries

Where monks live, often served as a refuge for pilgrims in the Middle Ages

Constantine

Which Roman Emperor passed the Edict of Milan which gave Christians the right to practice their religion freely?

to show their devotion to God; as an act of penance for their sins; or in hope of being cured of an illness. Popular pilgrimage destinations: Jerusalem, Rome, and Canterbury

Why did people undertake pilgrimages during the Middle Ages and what were some of the popular destinations?

gargoyle

a decorative stone sculpture in the form of a mythical beast; reminded christians of spiritual warfare

Pope

Bishop of Rome; head of the Catholic church in western Europe

Holy Orders

The sacrament in which a man becomes a priest

holy day; Christian saints, events in the life of Jesus, and important religious ideas.

The word 'holiday' comes from ______. What types of things did Christian holidays celebrate?

Cardinals

Catholic officials ranking next below the pope

Penance

Confession of sins to a priest in order to receive God's forgiveness

Bishops

Heads of the Catholic Church in major cities, next ranking Catholic officials below archbishops