Tag: Pennington
On the Observance of Lent: Lectio during Lent
[return to part three] In chapter forty-eight, Benedict sets forth an observance which is still prevalent in our order. He is talking in that chapter of the daily manual labor but he goes on to say: During the days of Lent, they should be free in the morning to read until the third hour, after… Read More ›
On the Observance of Lent: Purity of heart.
[Return to part two] Lent is a time of coming to purity of heart. It is the pure of heart who see God. It is a challenge. But I think the community should support us in this by certain signs, symbols, and actions. The older monks may remember how dramatic Lent was. We put up… Read More ›
On the Observance of Lent: Observances during Lent
[Return to part one] Benedict speaks of monks undertaking particular observances to mark Lent for themselves. What is the purpose? It is that we have this joy of spiritual longing. That Lent is really a time of freeing ourselves and opening ourselves more and more to the fullness of Easter. We can answer these questions… 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 ›
Towards Eternal Life
Happiness consists in knowing what you want, and then knowing you have it, or you are on the way to getting it. What we want is God. Our hearts will not rest, until they rest in you, O Lord [1]. Our minds seek infinite truth. Our hearts are made for infinite love. The purpose of… Read More ›
Balance in the Rule
The important thing, and it is what Benedict warns of, is the monastic vice of acedia. Apathetic is the word in English, but the Latin word is acediosus [1]. The monk has lost the zeal that is looked for in the new man coming to the monastery [2]. The man truly seeks God and lives… Read More ›