Unfortunately, Jesus never indicated discipleship would be easy. In 1893 the same pope provided the "order" with an Abbot . The monk's own attitude toward his life then is one of stewardship. 0000000949 00000 n Read the full essay to learn more about how humility helps us grow in the love of God and deepens our bonds with each other. St. Benedict speaks of steps in humility, comparing them to the rungs of a ladder which we climb one by onean image that implies not a strict order of ascent but a more general sense of movement growth. Benedictine spirituality is a way of life that helps a person to seek God and his will daily. SUGGESTED BOX ON PRAYER The psalms eloquently express how we feel and how we think about life and time and God. It continues today as an institute for Benedictine students and others who wish to obtain graduate degrees in philosophy, theology, liturgy, and monastic studies. This practice is not particular to Benedictines, however. The RB is saturated with Scripture and, as Esther de Waal has suggested in her book Seeking God: The Baptismal Invitation of the Rule of St. Benedict (Liturgical Press, 2009), the Prologue exemplifies this as a model of baptismal instruction. For example, Let us get up then, at long last for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Rom 13:11), or Run while you have the light, that the darkness of death may not overtake you (John 12:35). Scripture and baptism undergird the Benedictine vision of Christian discipleship, a vision which relies on a prayerful orientation toward God and relationships which support us in Christ-centeredness. The rhythm of life leads one to times of being alone and times of being in community. Columba Stewart OSB, the 73 brief chapters of the RB make up four major sections. Benedict's Rule and Spirituality. The thing that distinguishes monks from other religious in the Catholic Church is not primarily a matter of governmental structures or observances; all of these are found in other forms of consecrated life. 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. These three characteristics refer especially to intellectual activity. An atheist is a man who lives without God. is an Italian saint and one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. 0000005209 00000 n What helps us practice setting down our agendas in order to be more fully present? Its principal source is the Word of God and its model is Christ. Ignatian spirituality challenges us to encounter God in all things, witnessing to the joy of the Gospel. Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. (320) 363-7112. mholicky@csbsju.edu. Strong communities embrace stability and are open to necessary change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoTQF_Z_3lQ. What are the characteristics of Benedictine spirituality? Benedictine prayer has several characteristics that make more for a spirituality of awareness than of consolation. Cultural Producer. Adrian Burke, OSB writes, Benedict insists in his. Ordered by a rhythm of daily prayer that is Biblical and reflective xref Francis consulted her, especially when he was discerning between becoming a hermit and being an itinerant preacher. 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. Stewardship of resources, as a Benedictine practice, flows out of the commitment to stability, explain. Samson and possibly John the Baptist) and those who undertake the vow for a limited time (Paul may have done this, cf. What practise spiritual practices do? Brother David Steindl-Rast of the Gut Aich Priory monastery in St. Gilgen, Austria, is the founder and senior advisor for A Network for Grateful Living. 0000004832 00000 n . Benedictine writers often appealed to methods of prayer and asceticism that were foreign to the monastic tradition. Which value speaks to your heart most strongly at this time and why? In other words, the core of Franciscan spirituality is the universal call to holiness that all women and men receive at baptism. Saint Benedict Benedict of Nursia lived from ca. Im interested in connecting person-to-person with others who share my values, who want to participate with me in building a meaningful network of relationships that will serve to support us on our spiritual journey. Quick and easy, no. Dominican preacher and mystic; b. Strasbourg, c. 1300; d. there, June 16, 1361. In contrast to monks who fled the world to encounter God in solitude, St. Benedict's Rule was written to guide communities in living elemental aspects of Christianitysuch as shared meals, shared prayer, and shared work. 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. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. It is not one of the distinguishing characteristics of early monastic life. You will likely recognize the timeless quality of the values which has caused them to endure for centuries and continue speaking to the many layers of our human experience (personal, familial, communal and societal). Benedictine spirituality is a fresh alternative in an increasingly fast-paced world. New Catholic Encyclopedia. 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. Spirituality is the broad concept of a belief in something beyond the self. We practice clumsily like beginners running through piano scales. 0 This discussion shows that its impossible to isolate any Benedictine practice as independent of the others. It requires that a monk listens intently to the voice of God as it is manifested in the Sacred Scriptures and the teachings of his superiors. Mindfulness is a trending word these days yogis, psychologists, educators, physicians, and practically everyone else is talking about the importance of quieting our busy minds in order to become more aware of the present moment. 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. (61.6). The monk needs time along and needs time in community. Core Islamic Beliefs: Six Articles of Faith. Seeing the Face of Christ in the Poor. 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. Hence the spirituality that we find implicit in the Rule of Benedict was dependent in many ways on earlier sources, though he was certainly wise in what he incorporated and what he left behind. backgrounds including non-Catholic ones find deep spirituality in the Divine Office and the other Benedictine practices in the Rule such as the emphasis on work and lectio divina (slow prayerful reading), is difficult to state briefly. It is God who is the primary author of life for Benedict's disciples; hence the monk's obedience is above all to God and God's word which the monk finds mediated into his life through a wide variety of persons and experiencesin the rule, in the abbot, in the community as a whole, in the young and the old, in the sick and in guests, in the liturgy of the hours and in personal prayer, in sacred reading, in work, and in silence. The word "Benedictine" is relatively modern; it scarcely existed before the 17th century. 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. While submission is an act of youth, true obedience can only come as a response of maturity. praying the Divine Office) as well as regular silent . As Sister Julie explains on the blog A Nuns Life, The Liturgy of the Hours is made up of specific prayers said at various time (hours) during the day and night. Benedictine monks have often received freely from their families and educators, from the rich Benedictine tradition, from the abundant life of their own communities, and from the many mercies of God. Harry Hagan, OSB My part in this little show began as a description of the novitiate and how it brings new people from exclusion to inclusion, from fascination to identification, and from dependence to belonging. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Benedict reminds us of our priorities: prayer, contemplation, balance and the importance of everything we do. The resulting collection of ten core values - love, prayer, stability, conversatio, obedience, discipline . Furthermore, he avoids anything that would be excessive or beyond the capacity of the average monk. How are you being called to participate in Gods work of reconciliation, healing, and in shaping structures that support values like these. Her muscular Christianity is grounded in the spiritual practices of the Rule of Saint Benedict, such as silence, hospitality, humility, and peace. 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. St. Benedict lived in the 6 th century. Using philosophical and theological lens, this paper attempts to 1) present the Benedictine Leadership vis--vis Care ethics 2) proffer that charity or care is the driving force of a transformational leader and, 3) purport that a caring leader, directly or . "Benedictine Spirituality Monks are to listen "to the precepts of the master" but their primary and ultimate master is God. The Benedictine practice of mindfulness, like all the Benedictine practices, is lifelong. Joan Chittister is a Benedictine sister with an ecumenical outreach and vision who has written more than 50 books. We each hunger to make a meaningful contribution to our world. The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (Latin: Ordo Sancti Benedicti, abbreviated as OSB), are a monastic religious order of the Catholic Church following the Rule of Saint Benedict.They are also sometimes called the Black Monks, in reference to the colour of their religious habits.They were founded by Benedict of Nursia, a 6th-century monk who laid the foundations of . Benedictine spirituality offers an important voice in our world today, a voice which informs our praying, living and discerning. 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. 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). It is rather the fact that monastic existence is a form of religious life having not secondary or ministerial purpose. Instead, holiness of life was to be found through the right balance of these elements in life. Interviewed by Krista Tippett for her podcast On Being, Brother David talks about gratitude as the true wellspring of joy. Benedicts wisdom and commentary has provided the foundation for Benedictine communities throughout the centuries, and continues to influence many of us in the community of St. Pauls. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. This emphasis on silence is so that we can learn to listen to God more acutelyThis kind of sensitivity and awareness makes it easier to pray at all times. This article explains that silence is healthy for community life and fosters the learning of reverence for all creation. She reminds that in the Rule of Benedict, in the economy of monastic life, prayer is work and work is prayer. While [t]ime set aside for prayer can be a great blessing, we can turn all of our daily tasks into prayer when we bring to them the awareness of ourselves in relationship with our ever-present God. There are three primary commitments in the Benedictine way that form the spiritual backbone for the rest of the spiritual practicesobedience, stability, and conversion. The years 1987 and 1990 saw the publication of two unprecedented and immediately popular reference works, The New Dictionary of Theology and The New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship.The present work, The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, edited by Michael Downey, is intended as a companion to these, with a parallel aim and purpose.The NDCS is a collaborative attempt to take stock of . In 1887 Pope Leo XIII, who was enamored of the Benedictines, reestablished the College of Saint Anselm in Rome. In no way am I qualified to be a teacher of the Benedictine way of life. 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. He does not harbor illusions of grandeur but senses that all of his life is simply gift. We are moved to profound respect for the ways the Creator puts resources at our disposal to further the kingdom of God. Therefore in Benedictine spirituality, mutual obedience is a habit to be shown by all to one another. 0000000556 00000 n However, the date of retrieval is often important. 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. Closely related to both listening and humility is the virtue of obedience. In his blog Benedictine Monks, Fr. . The Benedictine practice of Moderation in All Things is another that is trending today, under the word balance., Obedience is a concept 21st-century souls dont generally like to consider. Focus Our Eyes on God and His Word For Saint Benedict, the Word of God was of central importance. The event will bring together sisters, monks, oblates, and Benedictine staff, as well as nonreligiously affiliated Millennials interested in contemplative . As Joan Chittister puts it, Benedictine practices build a spirituality that will enable us to go on beyond disappointment, beyond boredom, beyond criticism, beyond loss. Benediction spirituality is for the long haul.. "Benedictine Spirituality Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. As a Benedictine practice, obedience is intimately linked to being in right relationship, conversatio, humility, and listening. 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. Only a year ago, after a year of formation, I became an Oblate of Saint Benedicts Monastery in St. Joseph, MInnesota. In a podcast at DiscerningHearts.com from the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory, Fr. 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 Thus when St. Benedict appeared, monasticism was already solidly implanted in Egypt, Syria, Palestinethe whole East and in Ireland, Gaul, Italy, Spain, and Africa in the West. Successful organizational . 1. [], [] Learn more about Benedictine spirituality. The Benedictine practice of mindfulness, like all the Benedictine practices, is lifelong. Humility is also a dominant theme in Benedictine spirituality; in fact it is closely related to contemplation. When a monk is aware of his own littleness, he is not driven to satisfy his own ego more than his true needs. published by Liturgical Press, by clicking here. Humility requires the monk to accept the gifts of others, their wisdom, their experience, and their counsel. 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. Romey is the driving force behind "Being Benedictine in the 21st Century: Spiritual Seekers in Conversation," a conference planned for June 2020 at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison. The devotio moderna is an example. Ive drawn this list of 22 (+ 1 = 23) Benedictine practices (arranged alphabetically) from Stepping into the Oblate way of life, published by St. Benedicts Monastery in 2017, when Laureen Virnig OSB served as Director of Oblates. If he persists in this state, atheism truly becomes a way of life. For more information, fill out the form below or contact: Mary Catherine Holicky, OSB. The discipline of slowing down to pay attention renews our orientation toward receiving the presence of Christ. When I consider Benedictine hospitality, I like to extend this notion to the dialogues we initiate with those of other religious and spiritual backgrounds, especially with non-Christians. They are listeners and patient, willing to wait and see. Hospitality Father Mandonnet then lists three characteristics that are concerned more especially with the will. 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. If you fill out this form, Ill respond from my personal email. We prefer concepts like freedom and independence. It is a spirituality that transcends ecclesiastical divides because it is rooted in religious sources that antedate the sometimes . The typical person takes little time for personal renewal in the hectic daily round of activities. Listen to the Holy Spirit speaking through scripture and through the insights of others. St. Vincent teaches us to see Christ in the poor and suffering, so much so that the poor become our Lords and Masters and we their servants. They regard Saint Benedict as their founder and guide even though he did not establish a Benedictine Order as such. The church and her sacramental system are essential to the Christian life of grace. 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.
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