In this work, K. examined the development of Catholic monasticism in a historical perspective, also paying attention to its various types. He showed the process of shaping monasticism from the early Christian hermitage practices to the late Middle Ages in the chronological order. He also paid some attention to the military-knightly orders, as well as mendicants.

He emphasized the success of the spread of the ascetic way of life at the early stages of the history of Christianity, noting, at the same time, a need for unification of the rules, first of all, the most popular Rules of St Benedict. In the process of economic development, monasteries were ‘secularized’ from inside, and it demanded some reforms. According to K., the monastic movement of the tenth and eleventh centuries, however, just slightly differed from the earlier processes. As the researcher noted, it was more closely associated with ecclesiastic and political structures and supported the Papacy. Over time, Cistercians were added to the Cluniac reformers. According to K., the idea of a single, general monastic order was not realized, but a concept of the unified monasticism, consisting of several orders, was shaped by the IV Lateran Cathedral. At the end of the thirteenth century, the Apostolic idea was getting fade into the background, which was the result of activities of the Church itself and various heretical movements. Over time, a more moderate Christian ideal was formed, which found its reflection in the religious organizations of common laic people. In addition, K. drew attention to the competition and mutual influence between the orders, for example, Dominicans began to strive more for the ideal system following Minorites, Franciscans followed after Dominicans, etc. K. also noted political aspects of monasticism, for instance, the ability of the Papacy to control the situation on the spots, bypassing certain political forces.