Tag: Rule
St. Benedict for Beginners – ‘Follow this little rule…’
Whoever you are then, follow this little rule written for beginners.’ Saint Benedict’s monastic rule is sometimes thought of as an esoteric text to take the spiritually elite to the heights of mystic attainment. Nothing could be further from the truth. Benedict’s rule is a practical, down to earth guide to community living and spiritual… Read More ›
St. Benedict for Beginners – Listen my son…
‘Listen my son, to the master’s instructions and attend to them with the ear of your heart.’ Saint Benedict established his simple Christian communities in the sixth century. In the chaos of the crumbling Roman Empire, Benedict’s monasteries were havens of peace, prayer and stability. To help his brothers follow the path of God’s wisdom,… Read More ›
The Observance of Lent: Rule of St. Benedict, Chapter 49
Although the life of a monk ought to have about it at all times the character of a Lenten observance, yet since few have the virtue for that, we therefore urge that during the actual days of Lent the brethren keep their lives most pure and at the same time wash away during these holy… Read More ›
Numbering of the Psalms
At the last Oblate meeting a question about the numbering of the Psalms was raised. This difference is important particularly as you read the Rule of St. Benedict or the commentary on the Psalms that have been posted to the site. The reason for the difference is the Christian numbering of the Psalms, as found… Read More ›
The Golden Rule
The Golden Rule is a call to deep inner probing. Without self knowledge, without the inner journey, our sensitivity towards others is severely curtailed. All that is possible is to react on the level of the instinctual, allowing anxiety and fear to fuel anger that is either directed outward or driven deep within. If compassion… Read More ›
Online Video Course
A new online video course, “The Heart of the Rule of Benedict” with S. Joan Chittister OSB, will begin on January 2, 2012, through the Monasteries of the Heart website (www.monasteriesoftheheart.org). In this yearlong course, participants will have access to weekly three to five minute videos on Benedictine spirituality distilled by Sister Joan from the… Read More ›
Trappist Monks and Nuns Revive Interest in Monastic Vocations Online
PEOSTA, IA (Cistercians of the Strict Observance) – For more than nine centuries, Trappist monks and nuns have witnessed to the gospel of Jesus Christ through a cloistered, communal life wholly ordered to contemplation. Cistercians of the Strict Observance, also known as “Trappists” are an order of the Roman Catholic Church who founded their first… Read More ›
Benedictine Spirituality: Peace in the Monastery of the Heart
Turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim.” Over the archway of medieval monasteries were commonly carved the words Pax Intrantibus, “Peace to those who enter here.” These words were both a hope and a promise. Benedict’s vision of the peaceable kingdom was a real one. In a society… Read More ›
Saint Benedict’s Advice for Lent
The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 9 March 2011. Saint Benedict offers his thinking about the observance of Lent in chapter 49 of his Rule. Besides abstinence from vice, food, and drink, Benedict recommends reading, especially Sacred Scripture. The right kind of Lectio Divina can lead to that “compunction of heart” that is… Read More ›
Prayer should be short and pure (RB 20:4)
Wherefore we ought to pray often but briefly, lest if we are long about it our crafty foe may succeed in implanting something in our heart. For that is the true sacrifice, as “the sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.” This is the salutary offering, these are pure drink offerings, that is the “sacrifice… Read More ›