U`` . More than a founder in the juridical sense of the word, its author had been an educator, or better, a spiritual father, and he aimed at forming consciences capable of spiritual liberty. Benedictine writers often appealed to methods of prayer and asceticism that were foreign to the monastic tradition. This pattern of sharing is a basic characteristic of a cenobitic community. In Benedict's rule, humility is not the same as humiliations, for humiliations degrade the person. (320) 363-7112. Just because these spiritualities are different does not mean they are contradictory. Where it was adopted, it was looked upon as a venerable text but not necessarily requiring observance in all its prescriptions. But for all, the ideal has remained "solitude of heart" with God, guaranteed by the "order of charity" in the community institution. Practice is how people develop the skills to become adept at anything. Because I couldnt find relevant, simple answers online to the questions, What is Benedictine Spirituality? and What are Benedictine practices? I decided to publish this summary of 23 habits Benedictines seek, through lifelong practice, to cultivate into a lifestyle. In a blog hosted by Holy Wisdom Monastery of Madison, Wisconsin, Lynne Smith, OSB, The website of Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas tells us, Modern monks like to point out that first word in the Rule is to Listen,, This article explains that silence is healthy, Monsignor Charles Pope seems to be saying in the blog post, A Reflection On the Benedictine Vow of Stability, ways for those of us who do not live in a monastery to embrace stability, The Friends of St. Benedict website says The, offers people a plan for living a balanced, simple, and prayerful life., Joan Chittister puts it, Benedictine practices build a spirituality that will enable us to go on beyond disappointment, beyond boredom, beyond criticism, beyond loss., the monks and oblates of Saint Meinrad Archabbley, in this post on Environmental Stewardship on the blog. 0 Continue to Prayer and Community: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 2). Jean Chanon, who was a mentor for Ignatius in methods of prayer at the Benedictine monastery at Montserrat. We always can go deeper in prayer, grow more open to the truth, enrich our understanding of the will of God, and learn what, in this moment at this time, is good, acceptable, and right. Spiritual Direction, sometimes referred to as spiritual guidance or spiritual friendship, is an on-going relationship in which a person, desiring to be attentive to his or her spiritual life, meets with the spiritual director on a regular basis to become more attuned to God's presence and to respond more fully to that presence. It is such a personal thing that it can be considered part of one's identity. Through contemplative prayer, the monk becomes an emptiness so there is space for God as well as space for others. 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). Humility helps us accept our gifts and talents joyfully while letting go of our false selves. The Ten Hallmarks of Benedictine Education. Benedictine spirituality offers an important voice in our world today, a voice which informs our praying, living and discerning. 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.. While everyone has their values and principles, the spiritual person knows that one-size does not fit all. Interviewed by Krista Tippett for her podcast On Being, Brother David talks about gratitude as the true wellspring of joy. Tradition assigns no other end to monastic life than to "seek God" or "to live for God alone," an ideal that can be achieved only by a life of conversion and prayer. But the monk's development, like that of all human beings, requires both material resources and the help of other people. Since Benedict was a monk, the spirituality which is based on his rule, is fundamentally monastic. Prayer is the foundation to the monastic life and calling, and can be a constant part of the life of non-monastics as well. Benedictines say mindfulness is as much as a Christian and biblical concept as it is a Buddhist one. Its principal source is the Word of God and its model is Christ. defines the leader of a Benedictine community is not being head of an institution but being in relationship with all the members. The Benedictine tradition has frequently presented examples of spiritual men and women, many of them venerated as saints, who in the line of their monastic vocation have sought to unite themselves to God by the eremetical or solitary life, normally in dependence on their superior and in the neighborhood of their monastery. It encourages a life balance between corporate worship, spiritual reading and work in the context of community. Benedictine, member of the Order of Saint Benedict (O.S.B. Living the Benedictine spirituality, as a monk, an . Through spiritual direction, individual and group ministerial reflection, and writing, Sam companions Christian leaders as they re-discover the sense of calling and giftedness at the heart of Christ-centered ministry. That is why the ministry of hospitality is such an important part of the Benedictine heritage. 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. Christian monasticism had been in existence for a long time before Benedict wrote his rule. 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. 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). Hospitality Hence they are rich compared with many who come to the monastery for help. It is a comprehensive rule of life for the whole church and all her members. 0000000742 00000 n 21 0 obj <>stream One of the sure signs of monastic maturity is the honest acceptance of one's need for other people in community. 0000001968 00000 n Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. Benedictine monastics make a three-fold commitment to stability, conversion (conversatio), and obedience. Joan Chittister is a Benedictine sister with an ecumenical outreach and vision who has written more than 50 books. 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. [] Review Benedictine Spirituality (Part 1 of 3) [], [] Review Core Values: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 1 of 3) [], [] Learn more about core Benedictine values. As. 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). The abbot, elected for life by his monks, maintains supreme power and in all normal circumstances is accountable to no one. Bndictine D.O.M. ." We are moved to profound respect for the ways the Creator puts resources at our disposal to further the kingdom of God. The monk's own attitude toward his life then is one of stewardship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoTQF_Z_3lQ. If he gets the grandeur of God in place, he is apt to get the rest of monastic life in place too. Music students practice their instruments. Benedictine spirituality is rooted in the cultivation of good habits. On the constitutional level, Benedict's supreme achievement was to provide a succinct and complete directory for the government and the spiritual and material well-being of a monastery. 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. Benedict's Rule and Spirituality. Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. Quick and easy, no. Paradoxically, the key to a full life, is to understand that all things are to be done with moderation. (Rule of St. Benedict 48:9). Commit to daily, weekly or monthly prayer disciplines. Only a year ago, after a year of formation, I became an Oblate of Saint Benedicts Monastery in St. Joseph, MInnesota. 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. In other words, to be a good Franciscan means to be a good Christian. 0000000949 00000 n Gymnasts practice routines, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and tennis players practice their serves. 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. Characteristics of Benedictine Spirituality. 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. Just as all these people practice to become more proficient, spiritual seekers practice in order to become better at living a spiritual life. But, we keep practicing, because we hope that eventually, with faithful practice, that our way of being present to others will be as rich and meaningful as Chopins Nocturns are mysteriously rich with meaning when played by the virtuoso Arthur Rubinstein near the end of his life. In monastic life public prayer is only one observance among those which help the monk seek God. 1. A devoted monk, he established the Rule of Benedict. In a very special way God speaks through the Scriptures, through the liturgy of the hours (opus Dei ), and through personal prayer. Hence the monk must be poor psychologically because he realizes his dependence on others. In 2007, Benedictine educators collaborated and distilled from The Rule of St. Benedict ten core values of transformative importance that ought to animate Benedictine institutions of learning. For most of us, though, stability can have a figurative element beyond our experience with a [], 2023 Benedictine Center of St. Pauls Monastery, Core Values: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 1 of 3), Prayer and Community: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 2 of 3) - Benedictine Center, Lectio Divina and Preferring Christ: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 3 of 3) - Benedictine Center, My Day with the Sacred Fire | Benedictine Center, Saturated with Peace: Experiencing Personal Retreat | Benedictine Center, Wholehearted Living as the Lamed Vav | Benedictine Center, Practicing Sustained Lectio Divina | Benedictine Center, What Discernment Means to Me | Benedictine Center, Sabbath: Well-being, Not Endless Work | Benedictine Center, Moderation and Rhythm: A Benedictine Help Against Social Isolation | Benedictine Center, Stability: The Benedictine Value of Locatedness | Benedictine Center, The Erector Set: Adapting to Others | Benedictine Center, Sharper: Benedict's Tools for Good Works | Benedictine Center, The Benedictine Commitment to Learning | Benedictine Center, We Dare To Hope (Part 1 of 2) | Benedictine Center, We Dare To Hope (Part 2 of 2) | Benedictine Center, Life, A Continuous Advent | Benedictine Center, Rooted in Love: My Sustained Lectio Divina | Benedictine Center, Just Wave: Following that Holy Nudge | Benedictine Center. Hence he is able to receive others in the community, including guests, with kind consideration. A crucial confessor and teacher for Ignatius very early in his spiritual journey was a French monk, Fr. 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. 3 Views. People are seen as an integrated whole: Body, Mind, and Spirit. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. Do you yearn for a good life, and do you desire to see good days? 0000005209 00000 n Poverty of spirit, simplicity, sharing and giving, self-denial prompted by love, freedom of heart, gratitude, care for persons, and sound judgment with regard to created things should proceed from exposure to God in prayer. My work with the Monastic Interreligious Dialogue (MID) has . In no way am I qualified to be a teacher of the Benedictine way of life. Benedictine detachment does not imply a disparagement of good things, nor a fear of their power, but rather a just appreciation of all things as gifts of God. On a personal level the rule calls the monk to live a life marked by frugality, simplicity, and gratitude for the many gifts of God. (February 22, 2023). Lets make ours a truly humana listening and reverentconnection. We are women and men for and with others, hearing both the cry of the . Are you a thoughtful reader (and maybe even a writer) who seeks a peaceful, just, spiritual approach to life? [], [] Learn more about Benedictine spirituality. thats most of the time. Near the end of his life in 547 AD, Benedict of Nursia wrote a a guide to living, in the company of other humans, the kind of good days that add up to a good life. Lectio divina involves contemplating what we read or hear in a Scripture, being receptive to the presence of God, and letting ourselves be transformed. 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. 0000000820 00000 n Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. The rhythm of life leads one to times of being alone and times of being in community. 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. Acts 18:18). Encyclopedia.com. It is one among many schools that speak to contemporary hearts, yet it is particularly unique in its lasting impact on Western Christianity. He entered the Dominican novitiate c. 1315 in his na, Benedictine College: Narrative Description. But it also requires that he let go of false expectations concerning others. He simply organized a form of cenobitic life in complete conformity with the demands of the monastic vocation, which is but integral Christian life. Benedict reminds us of our priorities: prayer, contemplation, balance and the importance of everything we do. If there is anything that everyone of us in the whole world needs more of right now, its peace. The wisdom of Native Americans has often been quoted as a way of thinking about the long term implications of our present actions: What is the impact of our decisions on the seventh generation? We are called to consider ourselves part of Gods larger and longer story, living a legacy which was a gift to us and inspiring others who will follow. 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. The second characteristic of the monastic vocation is that it demands a life of which a privileged part is given to prayer. Be faithful in demonstration of family and community commitments, for example, by calling parents every week at the same time, checking in regularly on neighbors, affirming and listening to coworkers. Little by little, however, the Rule of Benedict became the principal rule, particularly in the Anglo-Saxon countries and in Italy. Humility fosters stronger, healthier connections within communities by breaking down the artificial barriers between individuals. The resulting collection of ten core values - love, prayer, stability, conversatio, obedience, discipline . 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. 4. Brendan Rolling, OSB of St Benedicts Abbey of Atchison, Kansas, Sister Joan tells us that a Benedictine lifestyle is an an oasis of human peace. He did not intend to impose uniformity; he foresaw and intended diversity and reserved to each monastery the possibility of adapting the rule's prescriptions to various circumstances, provided the essential values of monasticism were safeguarded. For the readers convenience, I will include only six of them here along with a simple explanation. Lets make ours a truly humana listening and reverentconnection. Having the mind of a beginner, being receptive to starting anew, starting fresh, starting overthis, too, is a Benedictine practice. Although well into the middle years of an average life span, I am a rank beginner, a mere toddler in Benedictine practice. 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