Jason Lake has, since
a young child, been keenly interested in many parts of human history
- from the Ancient period, the Medieval period and Modern period,
and considers himself a history buff. It was then only natural that
he joined and has enjoyed being a part of the reenactment community
in Brisbane since September 2019.
He has been an active member of Companie Draco Routiers -
and through them met and become friends with a lot of other reenactors
in Australia - particularly in Southeast Queensland and Hervey Bay.
As part of his reenactment experience, Jason has become quite interested
in the 'Living History' experience of Church History in Medieval
Europe and specifically in England where many of his ancestors are
from. Until the 1500s and before the Reformation, England and other
parts of Western Europe were firmly Catholic.
As a reenactor
in 14th Century England, the Catholic Church and the clergy played
an important role in all levels of society - including as Archbishops,
Bishops, Priests, Monks, Nuns, Deacons and Friars - in the day to
day life of the common people as much as the Kings and Queens, Nobles,
Knights and Ladies.
As a medicant Friar, Brother Thomas is from Merton Priory in Surrey,
an Augustinian priory founded in the 12th century and inhabited
by Canons Regular - it was a centre of learning and diplomacy -
and was also known for a brief period as part of the early formative
education of his namesake - Thomas Beckett. There were many aspects
to religious life for an Augustinian Friar - as a member of the
Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) or Austin Friars in England - who
lived by the Rules of St Augustine, as written in about 400 A.D
by Augustine of Hippo.
They prayed the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day, while also
having a key role to play amongst the community in which they served
and lived.
Sibi
soli vivere sed et aliis proficere
[not to live for themselves only but to serve other]
There's so much to learn about the Medieval Catholic Church- the
seven sacraments- including Holy Orders, the pilgrimages and badges,
the Liturgy of the Hours, Latin as a spoken word, the many forms
of the Mass, the Great Schism- a period of conflict in the Roman
Catholic Church from 1378 to 1417, the impacts of the Black Death
on the clergy and their authority, indulgences for any number of
sins, and the many forms and types of sacred relics are just a few.
Come along on this journey of exploration with Jason.
You can also connect with him
on social media as Brother
Thomas of Merton Priory.
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