If you like it, it's Christian. If not, it's Catholic.

[Root of Jesse]

I'm not surprised that you don't view them as innovations because Rome does not view them as innovations. But they are certainly not Catholic ideas in a temporal sense. They will not be found in the pre-medieval period.

I guess you're not familiar with the Desert Monastics of the 200-300's? Rome doesn't view them as innovations, because it has always been the desire of some to spend their entire lives worshiping God by praying for the world. Anthony of the Desert lived in a cave in Egypt, and there were many more. Antony of the Desert possibly raised St. Athanasius at the request of his parents and to escape Arianism, against which Athanasius fought. Anthony heard a Sunday sermon stating that perfection could be achieved by selling all of one's possessions, giving the proceeds to the poor, and following Christ (Matt. 19:21). That is the basis of monasticism. So, again, not an innovation.