Benedictine Wisdom 
Instruction on the Rule by the great early thinkers of the Benedictine order.
Likeness to God
There is a likeness to God which is lost only with life itself, left to everyone by the Creator of all as evidence of a better and more sublime likeness. As far as merit is concerned, this likeness to God in us is of no importance with God, since it derives from nature, not from… Read More ›
St. Bernard reminds us to properly prepare for the Lord’s Coming
[Yet people] observe these days (Advent) out of stale routine, without devotion or emotion. Further—and still worse—the remembrance of this condescension is turned into a pretext for the flesh. During those days you may see them preparing splendid clothes and special foods with utmost care—as if Christ at his birth would be seeking these and… Read More ›
What the Lord has lost on my account
[God] had made only two noble creatures who were sharers in reason and capable of blessedness: angels and human beings. Yet on my account he has lost many of the angels and all of the human beings. Therefore, so that they may know that I love the Father, let those whom he seems somehow to… Read More ›
Have before you the Image of Christ
The soul at prayer should have before her a sacred image of the God-man, in his birth or infancy or as he was teaching, or dying, or rising, or ascending. Whatever form it takes this image must bind the soul with the love of virtue and expel carnal vices, eliminate temptations and quiet desires. Bernard… Read More ›
All Saints
Why should our praise and glorification, or even the celebration of this feast day mean anything to the saints? What do they care about earthly honors when their heavenly Father honors them by fulfilling the faithful promise of the Son? What does our commendation mean to them? The saints have no need of honor from… Read More ›
Love never fails
“Charity never faileth.” For all gifts are given for a time as use and need require, but when the dispensation is ended they will without doubt presently pass away: but love will never be destroyed. For not only does it work usefully in us in this world; but also in that to come, when the… Read More ›
Contemplation of Divine Things
. . . As long then as this inequality lasts in this world, [works of charity and mercy] will be needful and useful to the man that practises it, as it brings to a good purpose and pious will the reward of an eternal inheritance: but it will come to an end in the life… Read More ›
The way to Perfection
. . .perfection is not arrived at simply by self-denial, and the giving up of all our goods, and the casting away of honours, unless there is that charity, the details of which the Apostle describes, which consists in purity of heart alone. For “not to be envious,” “not to be puffed up, not to… Read More ›
God sees you as you truely are — in His eyes
Even now you have a partial likeness, because you know partially. ‘With face unveiled’ you are ‘already contemplating my glory’, but yet you are still ‘being transformed from one degree of glory to another’. While you are being transformed, you do not yet possess wholly. To be transformed is to make progress, but not yet… Read More ›
Understanding the Cistercian Fathers
This the final part of an interview with Fr. Michael Casey, OSCO January, 2010. (In studying their sermons) It seems to me, that Guerric of Igny took a lot of care about his discourses and he had long practice and he probably wrote them out in advance and delivered them pretty much as they are… Read More ›