Benedictines read a portion of the Rule of Benedict every day. Encyclopedia.com. Thus the rule refers frequently to the "divine commandments" and often cites the Bible, particularly the gospel. Chanon gave Ignatius the book Exercises for the Spiritual Life written by Benedictine reformer, Fr. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/benedictine-spirituality, "Benedictine Spirituality Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. 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. What is Benedictine Spirituality? The second characteristic of the monastic vocation is that it demands a life of which a privileged part is given to prayer. His books includeGratefulness,A Listening Heart, and most recently, a new autobiography,i am through you so. 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. 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. 6 Characteristics Of Benedictine Spirituality . Poet/Writer. 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. Seeing the Face of Christ in the Poor. In the 7th and 8th centuries it was often combined with other rules, especially that of St. Columban (d. 615). There are three primary commitments in the Benedictine way that form the spiritual backbone for the rest of the spiritual practicesobedience, stability, and conversion. It was not founded by a particular saint. Having the mind of a beginner, being receptive to starting anew, starting fresh, starting overthis, too, is a Benedictine practice. That is why the ministry of hospitality is such an important part of the Benedictine heritage. Divine omnipotence is a divine operative attribute, an, TAULER, JOHANNES Augustinian Spirituality does not take us out of the world (into the . While everyone has their values and principles, the spiritual person knows that one-size does not fit all. Humility helps us accept our gifts and talents joyfully while letting go of our false selves. Benedictines say mindfulness is as much as a Christian and biblical concept as it is a Buddhist one. Which brings us back to awareness of God, to the beginning again. Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. In Benedict's rule, humility is not the same as humiliations, for humiliations degrade the person. 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. The ascetic and contemplative orientation of the monastic life was accompanied historically by such cultural activities and manifestations as were compatible with a separation from the secular world, conversion, and a life of personal prayer. 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. 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. Her muscular Christianity is grounded in the spiritual practices of the Rule of Saint Benedict, such as silence, hospitality, humility, and peace. 3 Views. 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? We are all accountable as steward of creation, they tell us. We stumble through being in right relationship. Ordered by a rhythm of daily prayer that is Biblical and reflective Only a year ago, after a year of formation, I became an Oblate of Saint Benedicts Monastery in St. Joseph, MInnesota. This manuscript is a copy of St. Benedicts rule. Stop the madness; listen to the God who loves you. But it also requires that he let go of false expectations concerning others. However, the date of retrieval is often important. 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. 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. 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. In his spare time, you will find Sam tending his familys small tree farm or fly fishing for trout in Southeast Minnesota. This springs from a desire to please God, or to seek God, as the Rule puts it (chapter 58). Its principal source is the Word of God and its model is Christ. What helps us practice setting down our agendas in order to be more fully present? The root of the word obedience means "to hear" and is about making a commitment to listen for God's voice in the world and respond when you hear the call. As time went on we decided that we needed a clear focus on the values. 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. 22 Feb. 2023 . BARTH, KARL (18861968), Swiss Reformed theologian, described by Pope Pius XII as the greatest theologian since Thomas Aquina, A term used to cover a literally bewildering variety of states of mind. ." 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. A particular spirituality is a specific system, or schema of beliefs, virtues, ideals and principles which form a particular way to approach God and therefore all life in general. The discipline of slowing down to pay attention renews our orientation toward receiving the presence of Christ. Life in common is the Benedictine monastic path toward God. The Benedictine practice of Liturgical prayer is one of Benedictine spiritualitys most visible, unmistakable hallmarks. Many Oblates rely on. Orbis, 20-21). 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. Columba Stewart OSB, the 73 brief chapters of the RB make up four major sections. People are seen as an integrated whole: Body, Mind, and Spirit. Impact. While there are times allotted for prayer and for work, ultimately there is to be no division between the two. variety in physical characteristics, languages, and ways of life is really our . How are you being called to participate in Gods work of reconciliation, healing, and in shaping structures that support values like these. 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). "Let everyone that comes be received as Christ" is one of the most familiar and oft-quoted phrases of the Rule. c. smith, The Path of Life (Ampleforth, England 1995). It may be an old liqueur but it has a well-deserved place in the modern bar. 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. The whole spiritual life of the monk consists in listening to God by "inclining the ear of the heart." j. chittister, The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages (New York 1992). It is rather the fact that monastic existence is a form of religious life having not secondary or ministerial purpose. St. Benedict lived in the 6 th century. If he persists in this state, atheism truly becomes a way of life. St. Benedicts chapter on humility is one of the longest in the, The Benedictine practice of Liturgical prayer is one of Benedictine spiritualitys most visible, unmistakable hallmarks. He simply organized a form of cenobitic life in complete conformity with the demands of the monastic vocation, which is but integral Christian life. The Rule of Benedict opens with the word "listen" (ausculta ). More than a billion Muslims share a common set of fundamental beliefs that are described as "Articles of Faith." These articles of faith form the foundation of Islamic belief system. Benedictine spirituality is rooted in the cultivation of good habits. However, it may involve the following characteristics: Antiquity of 3,000 and 1,500 years. Cultivating awareness of God is important for all who seek a meaningful spirituality. This little rule for beginners serves to develop a spirituality made up of practices, which Benedictines incorporate into their relationship with God and their interactions with the people with whom they live and work. RB 73, the final chapter, is more or less a bibliography for all that precedes it. 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. A monk spends his whole life becoming humble. 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. It is one among many schools that speak to contemporary hearts, yet it is particularly unique in its lasting impact on Western Christianity. Much research has been devoted to this topic, ranging from practical to academic. This practice is not particular to Benedictines, however. One of the sure signs of monastic maturity is the honest acceptance of one's need for other people in community. The Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana explain the importance of community life in Benedictine practice on their website. podcast at DiscerningHearts.com from the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory, Fr. 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. Hence they are rich compared with many who come to the monastery for help. 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. You can learn more about her in her Living Spiritual Teachers Project profile. 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. is an herbal liqueur produced in France. Benedictines believe that the Christian life is best lived not through the extremes of any harsh religious asceticism but in the daily context of good, balanced life in community. That kind of movement toward moderation is especially important as we live the open and complex questions. It is likewise through that response that one becomes free to be and develop as the person one is called to be. Gymnasts do routines, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and tennis players practice their serves. It is a pathway to deeper prayer, good decisions guided by keen discernment, and an active life of service to others. To be empowered by anything less than the God of love is to risk evil zeal in the name of vengeance. The monk needs time along and needs time in community. 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. In a very special way God speaks through the Scriptures, through the liturgy of the hours (opus Dei ), and through personal prayer. 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. Learn more at www.samuelrahberg.com. 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 . Anglican spirituality is an ecclesial spirituality because Christian spirituality is all about life in Christ, which necessarily means life in His Body. We prefer concepts like freedom and independence. In his book Humility Rules: Saint Benedicts Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem, Augustine Wetta, a Benedictine monk, teaches, The sum of all virtues is reverence. In this 2-minute video, Father Mark Goring (Companions of the Cross) says This profound and humble [Benedictine practice of] reverence for all things is one of the great foundations of Benedictine spirituality. He explains that this reverence flows from prayer. 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. Instead, holiness of life was to be found through the right balance of these elements in life. These prayers, which included the saying or chanting of the psalms, can be experienced in our Daily Office. For vowed monastics, stability is literala long-term commitment to a specific place and community. It is regular, converting, reflective, and communal. The event will bring together sisters, monks, oblates, and Benedictine staff, as well as nonreligiously affiliated Millennials interested in contemplative . 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. Benedictine simplicity of life is understood properly with the reality of Christ and his mission in mind. Of all creatures, the human person is in fact the neediest. What makes spiritual direction distinctive is its The typical person takes little time for personal renewal in the hectic daily round of activities. xb```f``x(80 thats most of the time. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B explains that obedience means to listen. The term was applied to two principal types: the hermits who lived alone or in small unorganinzed groups, and the cenobites who lived in community. 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 ). 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 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. Listen to the Holy Spirit speaking through scripture and through the insights of others. But what does the Bible teach on this issue? In this, affective piety and the contemplative study of the mysteries of God were no longer so strictly united as in the preceding centuries, in which the patristic tradition had been preserved. Among the many available lists of core Benedictine values, I find that of Saint Johns Abbey to be one of the most helpful. 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. In a. k. vermeiren, Praying with Benedict: Prayer in the Rule of St. Benedict (Kalamazoo 1999). This grows our ability to rest in stability. He entered the Dominican novitiate c. 1315 in his na, Benedictine College: Narrative Description. The devotio moderna is an example. How are you feeling called to commit that value to practice in the days ahead? There is a temptation to complicate it, to . Stewardship of resources, as a Benedictine practice, flows out of the commitment to stability, explain. 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. 0000001056 00000 n He neither innovated nor broke with tradition. Sister Joan Chittister is an extraordinarily prolific writer and among the most famous living Benedictines. Obedience means "to listen intently," and this vow is undertaken in a spirit of faith and love in following Christ who was obedient to the will of the Father. In other words, to be a good Franciscan means to be a good Christian. It is a matter of self-respect and purpose which we see clearly in the changing nature of retirement. Therefore in Benedictine spirituality, mutual obedience is a habit to be shown by all to one another. We are moved to profound respect for the ways the Creator puts resources at our disposal to further the kingdom of God. Unfortunately, Jesus never indicated discipleship would be easy. It continues today as an institute for Benedictine students and others who wish to obtain graduate degrees in philosophy, theology, liturgy, and monastic studies. Ignacio Gonzalez, OSB writes that the Benedictine practice of Conversatio requires that we never stop asking hard questions about our personal growth. Adrian Burke, OSB writes, Benedict insists in his. Monks are to listen "to the precepts of the master" but their primary and ultimate master is God. 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. Contact. 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. 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. 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. For most Oblates. They are all intertwined. 540-604 CE), who praised Benedict for his discretion and moderation. 480 to 547 CE in Italy. Monastic life was punctuated by the rhythms of prayer during the hours of each day. Am I growing in my true identity as a son or daughter of God? Prayer is essential to a Benedictine lifestyle. 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. One of the great challenges in the rule is that the monk obey others not only in their strengths but also in their weaknesses, for it is tempting to see others in their weakness as simply burdens rather than as gifts. d. rees et al., Consider Your Call: A Theology of Monastic Life Today (Kalamazoo 1978). Continue to Prayer and Community: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 2). startxref 0000002422 00000 n [CDATA[ Prayer is essential to a Benedictine lifestyle. 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 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. 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. Quick and easy, no. We prefer concepts like freedom and independence. This discussion shows that its impossible to isolate any Benedictine practice as independent of the others. Ancient Tradition. 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! 0000002499 00000 n Gymnasts practice routines, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and tennis players practice their serves. It is one among many schools that speak to contemporary hearts, yet it is particularly unique in its lasting impact on Western Christianity. 4qAB0Lfb+ ``v@ BK j God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we should use them in that order. For more information, fill out the form below or contact: Mary Catherine Holicky, OSB. Consequently he accepts the services and ideas of others, the gifts of life, and community. Benedictine spirituality is a fresh alternative in an increasingly fast-paced world. In 1893 the same pope provided the "order" with an Abbot . Benedictine spirituality offers an important voice in our world today, a voice which informs our praying, living and discerning. The Benedictine practice of hospitality is radical. It is such a personal thing that it can be considered part of one's identity. Benedictine spirituality offers an important voice in our world today, a voice which informs our praying, living and discerning. Brendan Rolling, OSB of St Benedicts Abbey of Atchison, Kansas quotes Abbot Martin Veth: To will what God wills and because He wills it, this is the essence of patience. Say mindfulness is as much as a son or daughter of God Bible teach on this issue setting! Is the honest acceptance of one 's need for other people in community shaping that! But it has a well-deserved place in the days ahead hospitality is such an voice... Novitiate c. 1315 in his Body to practice in the Rule of St. Benedict in,. To contemporary hearts, yet it is likewise through that response that one becomes free to be 80 thats of. Insists in his na, Benedictine College: Narrative Description model is Christ bibliography all! 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