Tag: Rule
Two Entrepreneurs Help a Monastery Thrive
SPARTA, Wis. – At the ringing of a bowl-shaped bell, five monks at a remote monastery congregated in the chapel here for the fourth of their seven daily rounds of prayer, their voices murmuring a Gregorian chant in Latin. At the same time, in a nearby house on the monastery’s property, the phone was ringing… Read More ›
Pursue Hospitality in Every Way
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) Pursuing hospitality in every way, and do not turn your eye away or send the poor man… Read More ›
The Great Wound
Over the years many people have come to the Abbey wishing to become Oblates. But if you asked them why you often will not get the same answer. Some come because they are inspired by the faith and discipline of the monks they see at the Abbey. Some would say they wish some association with… Read More ›
Through Obedience the Dead was Raised
RB 7:34. The third step of humility is to submit to the superior in all obedience for love of God. In this, we imitate the Lord, of whom the Apostle says: “He became obedient to the point of death” (Phil 2:8).[1] Two brothers joined a monastery. One of them kept religiously to the rules, the… Read More ›
Take and Eat the Fruit of Obedience
RB 7:34. The third step of humility is to submit to the superior in all obedience for love of God. In this, we imitate the Lord, of whom the Apostle says: “He became obedient to the point of death” (Phil 2:8).[1] It was said of Abba John the Dwarf that he withdrew and lived in… Read More ›
On the Observance of Lent: Divine relationship
[Return to part four] As we look at Lent as individuals and as community, it as a time for renewal in lectio. It is a time for opening ourselves in a renewed and special way to letting the Lord open up our lives in relationship with him through lectio. We allow his word be heard… Read More ›
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: 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 ›
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 ›
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.