In Christian monasticism

Christian monasticism

Christian monasticism is a practice which began to develop early in the history of the Christian Church, modeled upon scriptural examples and ideals, including those in the Old Testament, but not mandated as an institution in the scriptures. It has come to be regulated by religious rules Christian...

, the Consensoria Monachorum, also known as the (Regula Consensoria Monachorum) refers to an agreement among a group of people to establish a monastic community.

The agreement sets forth the terms of association, conditions for the admission of new members and the separation of old ones, the powers of the abbot

Abbot

The word abbot, meaning father, is a title given to the head of a monastery in various traditions, including Christianity. The office may also be given as an honorary title to a clergyman who is not actually the head of a monastery...

, and the preservation of the community and its movable wealth in the event of violent assault from outside.

Some early medieval texts attributed the Consensoria Monachorum concept to Saint Augustin, but recent attributions point to later dates.