Christianity and Care of the Sick 49 formed in Marseilles, then in Aries, and so through- out western Europe. In no other way could women have led occupa- tional careers of their own choosing in that time of political and social chaos. But in the monastery directed by an abbess, and sheltered by a con- stitution or "rule" granted by the church, they were free and safe to pursue intellectual studies or practical interests. There they could establish hospitals and nursing staffs, cultivate and prepare medicinal drugs, receive and attend the sick and afflicted, perfect the household arts, make gardens, study music and languages, illuminate and copy precious manuscripts, and read and write poetry and drama. This became especially true of com- munities under the Benedictine rule (founded in the sixth century at Monte Cassino by St. Bene- dict), which were centres of great activity, and, because of their form of internal government have been compared to small republics. The scheme of life as planned by St. Benedict included seven or eight hours a day to be spent in useful and produc- tive labour. The early monasteries did not require "en- closure" nor a regulation dress, at least outside the walls. The period of greatest freedom in monastic life for women seems to have been between the 4
