A monk should be above all a good listener. God speaks to the monk through Christ, but the monk is called to see Christ not only in the superior but also in the guests, in the sick, in the young, and in the old. Patience does not relieve us of our natural feelings of aversion, irritation, and indignation, but it controls and rises above these feelings Our Lord felt the natural impulse to avoid suffering, but He set aside and refused to listen to this feeling: Father not my will but Thine be done.Where does this patience show itself? The fourth Benedictine value is work, or labora. [contact-form][contact-field label=Name type=name required=1 /][contact-field label=Email type=email required=1 /][contact-field label=Website type=url /][contact-field label=Comment type=textarea required=1 /][/contact-form], Downloaded from the web site of the Bodleian library: [1]. The Benedictine practice of hospitality is radical. Benedictine obedience is ultimately directed not to other humans or to ourselves, but through the agency of others and the deepest yearnings of our own hearts, in love, to God. Benedictines are called to strive for silence and have a love for silence. This manuscript is a copy of St. Benedicts rule. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. Benedictine spirituality is a way of life that helps a person to seek God and his will daily. The concept that we are not above nature but are part of it, stems from the practice of humility, of knowing who we are, how we are, and to whom we belong. Benedictine spirituality is practical and profound. 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. 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). 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 Cistercian Order reinforced the eremetical character of the cenobitical life itself. It is humility that takes the monk beyond the myth of his own grandeur to the grandeur of God. Benedictine spirituality is essentially contemplative even though many who follow the rule are deeply involved in intellectual or manual work as well as in ministerial service to others. (61.6). thats most of the time. St. Benedict lived in the 6 th century. Commit to daily, weekly or monthly prayer disciplines. (320) 363-7112. By integrating their prayer and work, they manifest Christ's presence in society.". This listening is not merely an intellectual or rational activity; it is intuitive, springing from the very core of the monk's being where he is most open to God and most open to the word of life that God speaks. 0 We stumble through being in right relationship. The rule is marked by a strong sense of the individual monk's personal worth and dignity. Saint Clare of Assisi (16 July 1194 - 11 August 1253, born Chiara Offreduccio and sometimes spelled Clara, Clair, Claire, Sinclair, etc.) 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. The first word of the Rule of Benedict is Listen. The Benedictine practice of listening is the heart of Benedictine spirituality, for not only are we instructed to listen constantly to one another in community, to leaders, to guests, to the sick, to our inner selves, and most of all, to God, we must also attend to [what we hear] with the ear of the heart. As Good Samaritan Sister Clare Condon writes, Listening with the ear of the heart can be a scary experience because it can call me to radical change, to a transformation of my limited human perspective. There are three primary commitments in the Benedictine way that form the spiritual backbone for the rest of the spiritual practicesobedience, stability, and conversion. He was the son of a noble and grew up in Rome. Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. In 1887 Pope Leo XIII, who was enamored of the Benedictines, reestablished the College of Saint Anselm in Rome. Humility helps be more authentically, beautifully, and lovingly human. How are we being invited to swing back toward Christ-centeredness? The Benedictine practice of service to others is intimately entwined with the reverence for all creation, and another of the great foundations of Benedictine spirituality. In The Rule of Benedict for Beginners, Wil Derkse reveals how elements from Benedictine spirituality and the Benedictine lifestyle may be . . Since Benedict was a monk, the spirituality which is based on his rule, is fundamentally monastic. It underscores the tenets of Care ethics in conjunction with Benedictine Spirituality. By listening and seeking stability of life, we strive to discern the new path that Christ is forever calling us to travel. They regard Saint Benedict as their founder and guide even though he did not establish a Benedictine Order as such. In a blog hosted by Holy Wisdom Monastery of Madison, Wisconsin, Lynne Smith, OSB writes that in America, middle and upper class people tend to imagine they are living self-sufficiently, believing they are able to pretty much take care of [their] needs. This self-deception is possible only when [w]e take for granted all the people who work behind the scenes to provide the food for the store, to staff and maintain the filling station and all those people involved in the health care system. Listen to your body, to the negative and irritating things like our fatigues and headaches and muscle aches, revealing to us the lack of balance and health in our lives.. Just as all these people practice to become more proficient, spiritual seekers practice in order to become better at living a spiritual life. k. vermeiren, Praying with Benedict: Prayer in the Rule of St. Benedict (Kalamazoo 1999). In 1893 the same pope provided the "order" with an Abbot . The Benedictine practice of service to others is intimately entwined with the reverence for all creation, and another of the great foundations of Benedictine spirituality. Do you yearn for a good life, and do you desire to see good days? Benedictine simplicity of life is understood properly with the reality of Christ and his mission in mind. What gives the Rule of Benedict its exceptional quality has commonly been called its "discretion," in the double sense of the word: discernment and moderation. Continue to Prayer and Community: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 2). Nazirites (Numbers 6:1-21): Nazirites were of two types: those who were dedicated from birth to be a Nazirite (e.g. "No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else." - Rule of St. Benedict 72:7 A Raven is Collaborative Collaborative Ravens create a spirit of teamwork. He simply organized a form of cenobitic life in complete conformity with the demands of the monastic vocation, which is but integral Christian life. It evokes the name of St. Benedict, who lived in the 6th century, together with all those who have been inspired by the Rule of Benedict and associate themselves with the Benedictine spiritual tradition. In her blog, Presbyterian minister Lynne Baab offers ways for those of us who do not live in a monastery to embrace stability. Saint Benedict Benedict of Nursia lived from ca. Thus prayer and community, to borrow again from Stewart, are at the heart of the Benedictine school of spirituality. Many Oblates rely on. Joan Chittister is the executive director of the company Benetvision, which serves as a resource and research center for contemporary spirituality; a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie; and a former past president of the Conference of American Benedictine Prioresses and the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Benedictine spirituality took shape long before the split between Eastern and Western branches of the church in the 11 th century and the further divisions that resulted from the Reformation in the 16 th century. The Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana explain the importance of community life in Benedictine practice on their website. Downloaded from the web site of the Bodleian library: Created: 8th century date QS:P,+750-00-00T00:00:00Z/7, we acknowledge the primacy of God and look for God in the ordinary events of each day, Benjamin Schfer, who calls himself an intercessory musicianary, blog theologian, and pilgrim on the narrow road of learning to love, writes in depth about ways to foster awareness of God, requires that we never stop asking hard questions about our personal growth, The Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana explain the importance of community life in Benedictine practice on their website, Interviewed by Krista Tippett for her podcast, Kyle T. Kramer explains in his 2011 article for America Magazine that hospitality, for a Benedictine, An essay by the Sisters of St. Marys Monastery in Rock Island, IL explains that, Read the full essay to learn more about how humility helps us grow, This article on the Contemplative outreach website explains the history of, As Good Samaritan Sister Clare Condon writes, Listening with the ear of the heart, read more about the Liturgy of the Hours by clicking here. (320) 363-7112. [email protected]. Benedictine Spirituality - also known as Monastic Spirituality. If you fill out this form, Ill respond from my personal email. Benedict called this lifelong process conversatiomorum or conversion of life. This will not subscribe you to a contact management software program, and you wont get an onslaught of computer-generated emails begging you to buy my books and services. It is a comprehensive rule of life for the whole church and all her members. Thus the rule refers frequently to the "divine commandments" and often cites the Bible, particularly the gospel. As time went on we decided that we needed a clear focus on the values. Life in common is the Benedictine monastic path toward God. Stop the madness; listen to the God who loves you. In this article, Benjamin Schfer, who calls himself an intercessory musicianary, blog theologian, and pilgrim on the narrow road of learning to love, writes in depth about ways to foster awareness of God. is an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. The Rule of Benedict opens with the word "listen" (ausculta ). If he gets the grandeur of God in place, he is apt to get the rest of monastic life in place too. This grows our ability to rest in stability. For Benedictines, being in right relationship means that we treat everyone we encounter with loving kindness and patience. Little by little, however, the Rule of Benedict became the principal rule, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon countries and in Italy. Their prayer discipline is based on the rhythms of the universe. Benedictine reverence for all creation applies to nature and all creatures, to the objects we use and make, and to all peoplepilgrims, the broken and downtrodden, to every single human, including ourselves. Its recipe comes from a 16th-century monk and includes a secret blend of 27 herbs and spices in a neutral spirit that's sweetened with honey. is an herbal liqueur produced in France. Belief in One God: The most important teaching of Islam is that only God is to be served and worshipped. 9 0 obj <> endobj Benedictines say mindfulness is as much as a Christian and biblical concept as it is a Buddhist one. What does it mean for us to learn contentment with living simply? When the monk has zeal for God, he will come to see that he is consumed not only with love for God but for everything and everyone else that God has created. 0000005209 00000 n In his spare time, you will find Sam tending his familys small tree farm or fly fishing for trout in Southeast Minnesota. The primary prayer of all Catholics is the Eucharistic liturgy in which they celebrate and share their faith together, in accord with Jesus' instruction: "Do this in memory of me."The Catholic bishops at the Second Vatican Council decreed that "devotions should be so . This sounds like the universal call to holiness, the theme that began this article. %PDF-1.4 % There were also other forms of monastic life, but they were more or less eccentric in comparison with the two main types and sometimes led to abuse. Life in Benedictine monasteries was also deeply influenced by the clericalization of many of the monks and the episcopal ordination of many abbots. This practice is not particular to Benedictines, however. Or, am I living a lie, allowing myself to be conformed to every whim and temptation of my fallen nature? To complete our personal transformation, we never stop changing. Her muscular Christianity is grounded in the spiritual practices of the Rule of Saint Benedict, such as silence, hospitality, humility, and peace. Obedience is a concept 21st-century souls dont generally like to consider. The event will bring together sisters, monks, oblates, and Benedictine staff, as well as nonreligiously affiliated Millennials interested in contemplative . Benedictine, member of the Order of Saint Benedict (O.S.B. Humility requires the monk to accept the gifts of others, their wisdom, their experience, and their counsel. 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. Prayer is essential to a Benedictine lifestyle. d. rees et al., Consider Your Call: A Theology of Monastic Life Today (Kalamazoo 1978). Fr. What is Benedictine Spirituality? Augustinian Spirituality does not take us out of the world (into the . The School of Benedictine Spirituality is willing to help people enhance their spirituality, which is claimed to be a search for the sacred that is seen as "a blend of humanistic psychology with mystical and esoteric traditions and eastern religions aimed at personal well-being and personal development" ( Benedictine spirituality, 2013, par . If you fill out this form, Ill respond from my personal email. About oblates, the Benedictine order says: "Oblates seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of life. But it also requires that he let go of false expectations concerning others. Benedictine spirituality is simple and down to earth. But what does the Bible teach on this issue? But for all, the ideal has remained "solitude of heart" with God, guaranteed by the "order of charity" in the community institution. The Benedictine practice of Moderation in All Things is another that is trending today, under the word balance. In the blog Echoes from the Bell Tower, Fr. Therefore in Benedictine spirituality, mutual obedience is a habit to be shown by all to one another. Kyle T. Kramer explains in his 2011 article for America Magazine that hospitality, for a Benedictine, means to welcome all others as Christ, to recognize that despite vast differences, the diverse human family is part of the same God-given belonging, and we need one another to survive and thrive. This means facing our fears, letting prejudice and certitude die in us, and rooting ourselves in the love of God, the alpha and omega of the entire creation, the force that pulls everyone and everything toward a center that can hold. Benedictines hold strong convictions, but experience shows strident, uncompromising voices tend to foster arguments, tensions, and hostilitiesnot peace and love. Hence, conversion to Christ and response to his love through the power of the Holy Spirit are the goals of obedience. Ive drawn this list of 22 (+ 1 = 23) Benedictine practices (arranged alphabetically) from, Being in right relationship is wholly other than being in, Brother David Steindl-Rast of the Gut Aich Priory monastery in St. Gilgen, Austria, is the founder and senior advisor for. It sets up a framework of life, an institution, of which the essential and constitutive elements are firmly determined: life in common under the government of a superior called an abbot, who has the help of a prior and other officials and takes counsel of the whole assembly of monks, even the youngest in the community. Mindfulness is as much as a Christian and biblical concept as it is humility that takes the monk accept. 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