Tag: cell
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 ›
Can you go the distance?
Abba Antony once went to visit Abba Amoun in Mount Nitria and when they met, Abba Amoun said, ‘By your prayers, the number of the brethren increases, and some of them want to build more cells where they may live in peace. How far away from here do you think we should build the cells?’… Read More ›
The “cell” of our personal relationship with God
Monastic life is often described as consisting in the renunciation of the world. Properly understood, the statement may stand, but its starkness may lead to misconceptions. The caricature of the monk as a world-hater, unfortunately supported by evidence from monastic literature itself, misses the point. The separation from ordinary society effected by withdrawal to the… Read More ›
Personal Prayer Cells
The cell is above all the place where the monk encounters God. It is a physical space, yet a space ‘in accordance with the image of one’s inward nature.’… The primary tools of the cell are solitude, silence, listening, and the Spirit.(Keller, Oasis of Wisdom, p. 51) The spiritual life, however, is not limited solely… Read More ›
Catholics weigh in on teens’ excessive use of Facebook, texting
Denver, Colo., Dec 7, 2010 / 02:52 am (CNA).- A new study linking teen’s excessive use of Facebook and texting to alcohol abuse and sexual activity has ignited discussion among Catholics as to whether or not the drastic rise in impersonal communication among young people can be seen as a good thing. But no matter… Read More ›
Brief Rule of St. Romuald
Sit in your cell as in paradise; put the whole world behind you and forget it; like a skilled angler on the lookout for a catch keep a careful eye on your thoughts. The path you follow is in the psalms — don’t leave it. If you’ve come with a novice’s enthusiasm and can’t accomplish… Read More ›
Calming a restless mind
A brother questioned an old man, saying, “My thoughts wander and I am troubled by this.” The old man said to him, “Remain sitting in your cell and your thoughts will come to rest. For truly, just as when the she-ass is tied her colt runs here and there but always comes back to his… Read More ›
Monastery life calls to young man
BY AVI SELK – The Dallas Morning New; IRVING, Texas — All about the monastery cell lay scraps of Edmond Brophy and signs of Brother Lawrence. The quilt sewn up from Aggie patches, below white walls specked by crucifixes. The photo of a grinning mother, beside the portrait of a dead Hungarian vicar. And in… Read More ›
The Way of Salvation
While he was still living in the imperial palace, Abba Arsenius prayed to God in these words, “Lord lead me in the way of salvation.” And a voice came to him saying, “Arsenius: flee from men and you will be saved.” Having withdrawn to the solitary life he made the same prayer again and he… Read More ›
Do Not Neglect Prayer
Living in your cell clearly means manual work, eating only once a day, silence, meditation; but really making progress in the cell means to experience contempt for yourself wherever you go, not to neglect the hours of prayer and to pray secretly. If you happen to have time without manual work, take up prayer and… Read More ›