When Benedict founded his monastery and developed his famous Rule, he envisioned the monastery as a community apart from mainstream society, a safe, and safely removed, haven for the pious. However, the Rule of St. Benedict did set forth these general principles in regard to serving others: "Let [the monk] take the greatest care of the sick, of children, of guests and of the poor."

Over time, monks throughout Europe became more involved with the outside world and recognized the needs of the people who lived around them. Because monasteries were stable institutions with capable, industrious members, they had the resources to respond to certain problems. People also came to expect that monks, who had taken solemn vows to serve God, would follow the biblical instruction to "Love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matthew 22:39). They sought the monks' prayers and material...