He wrote a Rule for his monastery at Monte Cassino in Italy and he foresaw . https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/benedictine-spirituality, "Benedictine Spirituality Sam Rahberg is former Director of the Benedictine Center and a spiritual director in St. Paul. This means that the monk must be very quiet and still within himself, but also very alert and attentive if the word of God is to resonate properly within his innermost depths so that he is enlightened and nourished by it. It is rather the fact that monastic existence is a form of religious life having not secondary or ministerial purpose. The resulting collection of ten core values - love, prayer, stability, conversatio, obedience, discipline . An essay by the Sisters of St. Marys Monastery in Rock Island, IL explains that the Benedictine practice of humility is the opposite of humiliation. Humility requires the monk to accept the gifts of others, their wisdom, their experience, and their counsel. But if they are rich communally, they must be rich for the many people who are poor not only materially but also intellectually, culturally, spiritually, and humanly. In this article, I have merely collected and summarized what other, more experienced Benedictines have taught and published. Focus Our Eyes on God and His Word For Saint Benedict, the Word of God was of central importance. Music students practice their instruments. This religious practice refers to St. Benedict and his spiritual practice. This discussion shows that its impossible to isolate any Benedictine practice as independent of the others. But for all, the ideal has remained "solitude of heart" with God, guaranteed by the "order of charity" in the community institution. Benedictine spirituality helps us to: Focus our eyes on God and His Word Be a people of humility Live and pray in community, rather than being too individualistic Maintain prayerful discipline in our lives 1. Belief in One God: The most important teaching of Islam is that only God is to be served and worshipped. 480 to 547 CE in Italy. They pray the Office together, with no voice standing out above the others. Monsignor Charles Pope seems to be saying in the blog post, A Reflection On the Benedictine Vow of Stability for Community in Mission of the Archdiocese of Washington (DC), that stability of heart is the Benedictine practice our chronically unstable contemporary society most desperately needs. It includes reading, reflecting, responding to and resting in the Word of God not in a scholarly way, not to make a sermon to preach to others, but simply to nourish and deepen our own relationship with the Divine. Teaching Artist. Benedictine Benedictine Spirituality It may seem odd that some of the best guidelines for achieving balance in our world today, where stress has become the norm, come from a sixth-century Italian monk who at one point chose to live by himself in a cave. Humility is the ability to recognize one's rightful place in the universe and to see oneself as a mysterious combination of strengths and weaknesses. Benedict called this lifelong process conversatiomorum or conversion of life. Obedience is an act of letting go of the egoistic will. Music students practice their instruments. Benedictine monks and nuns made a commitment to living in a specific location, within a specific community, as the context for their spiritual growth and development. St. Benedicts chapter on humility is one of the longest in the Rule. It is humility that takes the monk beyond the myth of his own grandeur to the grandeur of God. Personal or private prayer is traditionally exercised under the form of meditative reading of Holy Scripture and of authors who explain and reflect on it, according to the three phases designated by the words "reading" (lectio ), meditation (meditatio ), and "prayer" (oratio or contemplatio ). Living the Benedictine spirituality, as a monk, an . One of the sure signs of monastic maturity is the honest acceptance of one's need for other people in community. While everyone has their values and principles, the spiritual person knows that one-size does not fit all. Seeing the Face of Christ in the Poor. If a monk's life is not grounded in God, he is tempted to put himself in the place of God. [], [] Learn more about Benedictine spirituality. Benedict shows us the value of ordering our day around communal prayer (i.e. e. de waal, Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict (Collegeville 1984). For vowed monastics, stability is literala long-term commitment to a specific place and community. People are tired and worn out from striving against unhealthy systems. It is that same balance that has made it attractive today to those countless lay men and women who are not living vowed lives in a monastery but who are associated with Benedictine monasteries as oblates attempting to live their lives in the secular world according to the spiritual values set out in the rule. Perhaps the most useful definition is that given by Jean gerson: "Theologia m, Omnipotence is derived From the Latin omnis (all) and potens (capable of making or producing). He is author of Ice Break: A Collection of Poems (Aetos Publications, 2019), Enduring Ministry: Toward a Lifetime of Christian Leadership (Liturgical Press, 2017), and The Gospels in Poem and Image (Aetos Publications, 2016-2019). Cultural Producer. This grows our ability to rest in stability. Humility enables the monk to stand in awe before the world and to receive the gifts of God and others. Music students do their instruments. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B explains that obedience means to listen. All monks are by definition "solitaries," for this is the original meaning of their name, which comes from the Greek word monachos, derived from monos, to which corresponds the Latin solus (alone). The event will bring together sisters, monks, oblates, and Benedictine staff, as well as nonreligiously affiliated Millennials interested in contemplative . 0 By integrating their prayer and work, they manifest Christ's presence in society.". The website of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas tells us, Modern monks like to point out that first word in the Rule is to Listen,which cant be done while talking! They are listeners and patient, willing to wait and see. In contemporary society, Christian spirituality is generally defined as a set of beliefs, values, and way of life that reflect the teachings of the Bible, the holy book of Christianity. It is a lifetimes work, and it is not to be rushed or short-circuited in any way. Click here to read hints on how to enjoy this lifelong practice. Vincentian spirituality is centered around this concept. It is regular, converting, reflective, and communal. 4. In the East it dates back to the 3rd century with St. Anthony, and in the West to the 4th century with St. Martin and other founders of monasteries. Many Oblates rely on Give Us This Day, a monthly prayer book with simplified daily prayer for morning and evening, to help us participate in the Divine Office when we are away from the monastery. startxref If you fill out this form, Ill respond from my personal email. Benedict reminds us of our priorities: prayer, contemplation, balance and the importance of everything we do. New Catholic Encyclopedia. The monk's listening is to be modeled after the prayer of Jesus who spent long hours listening and attentive in the presence of his heavenly Father. Only in later centuries and especially since the 19th century has it occupied a more important place in monastic life than in the observance of the majority of non-monastic religious congregations, with the consequence that it is usually considered a special feature of monastic life and spirituality. It acted and penetrated not as a legislative text imposed from without by authority but rather as a leaven by virtue of its intrinsic power. He is called to live in the rhythm of alternating between receiving and giving, accepting the gifts of God and others, while sharing generously jut as others share generously with him. (61.6). You can read more about the Liturgy of the Hours by clicking here, but the best way to learn about Liturgical prayer is to find a monastery and experience it. Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. Lynne Smith elaborates, All this service is sacred and to be done with reverence service is seen as a form of prayer, a way of seeking God. This practice is also linked inextricably to gratitude, as we give thanks for the ways we can serve and for those who serve us. In chapter 72 of the rule, Benedict encourages his monks to be zealous, "supporting with the greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body and behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. Successful organizational . It is humility that makes us happy with what we have, willing to have less, kind to all, simple in our bearing, and serene within ourselves. It only takes 2-3 minutes to read her article. Only a year ago, after a year of formation, I became an Oblate of Saint Benedicts Monastery in St. Joseph, MInnesota. What calls us to attention? Adrian Burke, OSB writes, Benedict insists in his. This is not simply a change in my opinion or even in my ideological stance, but a much deeper change in my attitude, a real change in my way of being and doing. Listening is integral to the practice of conversatio, indeed to all the practices, which, as Laureen Virnig OSB teaches to Oblates in formation, are inseparable woven together to make of our spirituality a living tapestry. It is not possible to formulate a singl, Etymologically the word "contemplation" derives from templum, which signified the space marked out by a seer with his divining rod as a location for, Barth, Karl It is a matter of self-respect and purpose which we see clearly in the changing nature of retirement. It may be an old liqueur but it has a well-deserved place in the modern bar. What makes spiritual direction distinctive is its 0000000556 00000 n Benedict's treatment of obedience must be understood in light of his understanding of authority. What helps us practice setting down our agendas in order to be more fully present? An atheist is a man who lives without God. [] Review Benedictine Spirituality (Part 1 of 3) [], [] Review Core Values: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 1 of 3) [], [] Learn more about core Benedictine values. Benedictine hospitality requires us to moderate our own views and voices, and in this day and age, as in all ages, moderation is supremely radical. Are you a thoughtful reader (and maybe even a writer) who seeks a peaceful, just, spiritual approach to life? Stewardship of resources, as a Benedictine practice, flows out of the commitment to stability, explain the monks and oblates of Saint Meinrad Archabbley, in this post on Environmental Stewardship on the blog Echoes from the Bell Tower. People are seen as an integrated whole: Body, Mind, and Spirit. This is a life devoted to the "Benedictine values of community, consensus, peace, balance, hospitality, humility, simplicity and care of the planet in our daily lives," Judith Valente writes in an article for Global Sisters Report. From the middle of the 20th century there appeared in Europe, America, Africa, and elsewhere monastic foundations that, drawing their inspiration from ancient sources, tended to return to forms of monastic life that are simpler and more contemplative. The third Benedictine value is conversatio morum, which translates to "conversion of life." This value involves a commitment to personal and spiritual growth, and it involves constantly seeking to improve oneself and to live in a way that is consistent with one's values and beliefs. Thus the rule refers frequently to the "divine commandments" and often cites the Bible, particularly the gospel. The Rule of St. Benedict (RB) became a foundational text for monasticism in the West, having emerged in the sixth century as the Roman civilization was collapsing. He simply organized a form of cenobitic life in complete conformity with the demands of the monastic vocation, which is but integral Christian life. I hope this list (compiled in September, 2018) is helpful, perhaps even inspiring. About oblates, the Benedictine order says: "Oblates seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of life. It insists that God is present in our world and active in our lives. The monk is called to discern how the Benedictine tradition speaks to the basic human condition, often characterized by blindness and greed. Sam has experience in parish ministry and holds a masters degree in theology from Saint Johns University (Collegeville, MN). Being in right relationship is wholly other than being in the right relationship. It isnt about finding the right person for me; its about being the right person to others in the way I show respect to them, in the way I accept their humanityeven their weaknesses and irritating personality traits. The Rule of St. Benedict has often been referred to as a compendium of the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every four months, we begin again at the beginningso we read the Rulethree times every year. Co-Director of the Spirituality Center. It is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment, and an active life of service to others. All these helping ministries place value on the confidentiality of the relationship and may lead to increased personal wellbeing and a more fruitful and productive life. Reminds us of our priorities: prayer, stability, conversatio, obedience, discipline honest..., Mind, and Benedictine staff, as well as nonreligiously affiliated Millennials interested in contemplative one-size not. 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