In Latin, “religio” means “something that

binds.” For Romans, religion was a force that

bound families together, bound subjects to

their ruler and bound men to the gods.

Most of the Roman gods and goddesses were a

blend of several religious influences. Many were

introduced via the Greek colonies of southern Italy.

Many also had their roots in old religions of the

Etruscans or Latin tribes.

Omens and Superstitions

The Roman was by nature a very superstitious

person. Emperors would tremble and even

legions refuse to march if the omens were bad

ones.

Divine blessing

The objective of Roman worship was to gain the

blessing of the gods and thereby gain prosperity

for themselves, their families and communities.

Cult worship

Roman religion involved cult worship. Approval

from the gods did not depend on a person’s

behavior, but on perfectly accurate observance of

religious rituals. Each god needed an image –

usually a statue or relief in stone or bronze – and

an altar or temple at which to offer the prayers

and sacrifices.

The Religion of the State

Just as the wife was supposed to guard the hearth

at home, then Rome had the Vestal Virgins guard

the holy flame of Rome. The religion of state was

in control of the pontifex maximus.

The High Offices of State Religion

Rex sacrorum, the king of rites, was an office

created under the early republic as a substitute for

royal authority over religious matters. The

flamines acted as priests to individual gods: three

for the major gods Jupiter, Mars and Quirinus, and

twelve for the lesser ones.

The Vestal Virgins

There were six vestal virgins. All were traditionally

chosen from old patrician families at a young age.

Their foremost duty was to guard the sacred fire in

the temple. Punishment for vestal virgins was

enormously harsh. If they let the flame go out,

they would be whipped. And as they had to

remain virgins, their punishment for breaking their

vow of chastity was to be walled up alive

underground.

Rise of Christianity

The first century also saw the birth of a brand

new religion. Although he was executed by Rome

at an early age, Jesus would have a massive

impact on the Roman Empire. After his death, his

message of eternal life and hope was spread

across the empire by missionaries such as Paul.

And although Christians in Rome suffered

appalling persecution at times, their ideas refused

to die: instead, they would conquer Rome itself.

Spreading the word

Paul preached in some of the empire’s most

important cities. Like Jesus, Paul spoke to people

in their homes and synagogues. But he went

beyond Jesus, who had only preached to Jews.

Paul believed his message should also be taken

to gentiles – the non-Jews.

Relaxing the rules

As the Christian movement began to accept non-

Jewish members, it moved further away from the

strict rules imposed on Jews. In so doing, it

gradually became a new and separate religion.

Over time, the Christian church and faith grew

more organized. In 313 AD, the Emperor

Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, which

accepted Christianity: 10 years later, it had

become the official religion of the Roman Empire.

Spirituality and religion in Middle ages

The Catholic Church was the only church in

Europe during the Middle Ages. Church leaders

such as bishops and archbishops sat on the king's

council and played leading roles in government.

Bishops, who were often wealthy and came from

noble families, ruled over groups of parishes called

"diocese." Parish priests, on the other hand, came

from humbler backgrounds and often had little

education.

Monks and Nuns

Monasteries in the Middle Ages were based on the rules set down by St. Benedict in the sixth century. The monks took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to their leaders. They were required to perform manual labor and were forbidden to own property, leave the monastery, or become entangled in the concerns of society. Daily tasks were often carried out in silence. Monks and their female counterparts, nuns, who lived in convents, that were safe havens for pilgrims and other travelers.

Pilgrimages

Pilgrimages were an important part of religious life in the Middle Ages. Many people took journeys to visit holy shrines such as the Church of St. James at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the Canterbury cathedral in England, and sites in Jerusalem and Rome and in our area the srine of the Archangelus Michael.