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.”
Charity toward our neighbor
One day the patriarch John (the Almsgiver) gave to one of his servants who had been reduced to extreme poverty two pounds of gold with his own hands so that no one might know of it. When his servant said, “After this gift I shall no longer have the courage to look you in the… Read More ›
Humility in Conversation
A man should know that a devil’s sickness is on him if he is seized by the urge in conversation to assert his opinion, however correct it may be. If he behaves this way while talking to his equals, then a rebuke from his elders may heal him. But if he carries on in this… Read More ›
Don’t neglect your soul,
I found a respectable looking woman wandering about in the desert and I asked her what she was doing in that place. ‘Don’t ask me,’ she said. ‘I am a most unfortunate woman. Don’t ask why – but if you want a servant take me wherever you like. I am unlucky enough to have a… Read More ›
A Prayer from the Desert
Lord Jesus Christ, whose will all things obey: pardon what I have done and grant that I, a sinner, may sin no more. Lord, I believe that though I do not deserve it, you can cleanse me from all my sins. Lord, I know that man looks upon the face, but you see the heart. Send your… Read More ›
Why have sympathy for others, but none for yourself?
Now when a person comes to himself as did that young prodigal son, where does he find himself? Is it not in a far country, in the Land of Unlikeness, and in a strange land, where he sits down and weeps as he remembers his father and his home. And does he not find cause… Read More ›
As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us.
Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man…. Read More ›
Penance comes before grace
Just as John [the Baptist] came before Jesus, so penance comes before grace, before that grace of reconciliation which receives us into the kiss of peace after we have made satisfaction. For in this way of penance righteousness and peace kiss each other and run with eager and lighthearted step to meet him. The righteousness,… Read More ›
Christ is Risen!
O the marvel! the forbearance! the immeasurable meekness! The Untouched is felt; the Master is held by a servant, And He reveals His wounds to one of His inner circle. Seeing these wounds, the whole Creation was shaken at the time. Thomas, when he was considered worthy of such gifts, Lifted up a prayer to… Read More ›
Hearing with the ears of a Saint
The story is told that at the Monastery of St. George the Abbot was blessed with monks who did not have beautiful voices. The annual pilgrimage on the feast day of St. George was not very impressive with the rather awful sounds coming from the choir. So the Abbot called together all the monks and… Read More ›
Belief in the True Presence
This is what Abba Daniel, the Pharanite, said, ‘Our Father Abba Arsenius told us of an inhabitant of Scetis, of notable life and of simple faith; through his naïveté he was deceived and said, “The bread which we receive is not really the body of Christ, but a symbol. Two old men having learnt that he had uttered this… Read More ›