Tag: St Benedict
Deny Yourself in Order to Follow Christ
On my desk is a small statue of Gollum, the hobbit-like character from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Those who have only read The Hobbit, when Gollum was introduced, only have seen an evil, angry little creature. But those who have read or seen The Lord of the Rings witnessed something else. Gollum was… Read More ›
Do not exhibit your way of life
All guests who arrive should be received as Christ, for he himself will say, I was a stranger and you took me in. Proper respect should be shown to all, especially fellow monks and pilgrims. (RB 53: 1-2) One brother, an ascetic who was not eating bread, went to visit a great old man. Some… Read More ›
Benedictine Bernardo Tolomei Declared Saint
From the Vatican: Bernardo Tolomei ,son of Mino Tolomei, was born in Siena on the 10th of May 1272. At his baptism he was given the name Giovanni. He was probably educated by the Dominicans at their College of San Domenico di Camporegio in Siena. He was knighted by Rodolfo I d’Absburgo (†1291). While studying… Read More ›
Relic of St. Benedict Discovered
The new medieval gallery at the British Museum in London is full of beautiful images of saints in ivory, stone, gold and wood – but invisible to visitors, it also holds the bones of 39 real saints, whose discovery came as a shock to their curator. The relics, packed in tiny bundles of cloth, including… Read More ›
On the Observance of Lent: Lent in the Rule
The burial of “alleluia.” Saint Benedict touches on Lent again and again in the Rule, especially when he is talking about the Divine Office. There is that one chapter about the times of saying alleluia. From the holy feast of Easter until Pentecost, “alleluia” is always said with both the psalms and the responsorials. Every… Read More ›
Feast of Saint Scholastica
Today is the Feast of Saint Scholastica, the twin sister of St. Benedict and the foundress of communities of Benedictine women. Pope Gregory the Great wrote of her, “She could do more because she loved more.” Love fuels. Fatigue without a physical base is too often a sign of a loss of love. Take something… Read More ›
Litany to St. Scholastica
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, God the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, One God, Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God,… Read More ›
On Benedictine Life
An interview with a Cistercian (Benedictine) monk in Scotland about his life in the monastery. More importantly to Oblates, this interview offers an excellent explanation of Benedictine life, much of which is applicable to those of us who do not live in the monastery.
Work of God
We believe that the divine presence is everywhere and that “the eyes of the Lord are looking on the good and the evil in every place.” But we should believe this especially without any doubt when we are assisting at the Work of God. To that end let us be mindful always of the Prophet’s… Read More ›