Desert Wisdom 
Collection of the Wisdom of the Desert Fathers. St.Benedict pointed to the the writings of the early Desert Fathers, specifically mentioning the St. Basil and John Cassian (RB 73:5) as sources for “further perfection.”
God is the Reason
God is the meditation of my heart and my inheritance, that I await, long for and delight in. He is the objective I have set myself, the whole reason for my efforts. He, God himself, is the inheritance I plan to bring to a home of right-ordered love, that he may sup with me and… Read More ›
Recognize the power of the evil demon
[Abba John] related with regard to another old man living in the desert, that he had asked God to grant him never to become sleepy during a spiritual conference, but, if someone uttered slanderous or useless words, to be able to go to sleep at once, so that his ears should never be touched by… Read More ›
Walk with humility and purity
One day, less than six months after (St. Theodore’s) entry among the brothers, he came to our abba Pachomius shedding copious tears. Abba Pachomius said to him, ‘Why are you weeping?’ For he had often been astonished at seeing this propensity to tears in him, although he was so new. He answered, ‘I would like you,… Read More ›
The First Shall be Last
As Abba Silvanus was sitting with the brethren one day he was rapt in ecstasy and fell with his face to the ground. After a long time he got up and wept. The brethren besought him saying, ‘What is it, Father?’ But he remained silent and wept. When they insisted on his speaking he said,… Read More ›
Patience and Charity
Going to town one day to sell some small articles, Abba Agathon met a cripple on the roadside, paralyzed in his legs, who asked him where he was going. Abba Agathon replied, ‘To town, to sell some things.’ The other said, ‘Do me the favor of carrying me there.’ So he carried him to the… Read More ›
On Visions
Some brothers came to find Abba Antony to tell him about the visions they were having, and to find out from him if they were true or if they came from the demons. They had a donkey which died on the way. When they reached the place where the old man was, he said to… Read More ›
Leave vengeance to God
A brother whom another brother had wronged came to see Abba Sisoes and said to him, ‘My brother has hurt me and I want to avenge myself.’ The old man pleaded with him saying, ‘No, my child, leave vengeance to God.’ He said to him, ‘I shall not rest until I have avenged myself.’ Th… Read More ›
Thoughts to remember
Abba Evagrius said, ‘Sit in your cell, collecting your thoughts. Remember the day of your death. See then what the death of your body will be; let your spirit be heavy, take pains, condemn the vanity of the world, so as to be able to live always in the peace you have in view without… Read More ›
Accepting gifts
It was said of Abba Zeno, that from the outset he never wished to receive anything from anyone at all. Those who brought him something came away hurt that he had not accepted anything. Others came to him, wanting to receive some token from a great old man and he had nothing to give them… Read More ›
The eye of God always sees the works of a man
It depends on us whether we wish to be saved. Apophthegmata Patrum It was said of Abba Gelasius that he was often assailed by the thought of going to the desert. One day he said to his disciple, ‘Do me the favour, brother, of bearing with whatever I may do, and say nothing to me… Read More ›