Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: Abba Ammonas

Surmounting Temptation

What does it mean to surmount temptations, and what is the cure for them? The answer is this: you must never grow weary but pray to God with your whole heart, praising him and being patient in all circumstances; and then the temptation will leave you. Thus was Abraham tested, and he emerged victorious from… Read More ›

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The Sign of God Working in Souls

With this in mind, then, you understand how it is in the spiri­tual life that the first fruits of the Holy Spirit give joy to those whose hearts he sees to be pure, and yet after bestowing this joy and sweetness on them the Spirit holds aloof and forsakes them. The explanation is this: he… Read More ›

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Have in Your Heart the Words of the Gospel

One of the Fathers told a story of a certain elder who was in his cell busily at work and wearing a hair shirt when Abba Ammonas came to him. When Abba Ammonas saw him wearing a hair shirt he said: That thing won’t do you a bit of good. The elder said: Three thoughts… Read More ›

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