6 characteristics of benedictine spirituality

Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps. The devotio moderna is an example. Are you a thoughtful reader (and maybe even a writer) who seeks a peaceful, just, spiritual approach to life? It can be described as a state of mind that provides their values and influences how they live their lives and exercise their judgment in such things as deciding between right and wrong. Closely related to both listening and humility is the virtue of obedience. Its principal source is the Word of God and its model is Christ. But for all, the ideal has remained "solitude of heart" with God, guaranteed by the "order of charity" in the community institution. 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. This grows our ability to rest in stability. I hope this list (compiled in September, 2018) is helpful, perhaps even inspiring. 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. He writes: "The will develops its own gifts, seeking to perfect them in the order of nature and of grace so as to bring the faithful soul to spiritual maturity. From the 13th century, Benedictine monasteries have often felt the influence of spiritual movements coming from non-monastic sources. You can order a free copy of Give Us This Day, published by Liturgical Press, by clicking here. 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.. 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. Every four months, we begin again at the beginningso we read the Rulethree times every year. It is not one of the distinguishing characteristics of early monastic life. 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! This invitation to listen came to Benedict from the heart of the Old and New Testament traditions. 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 endstream endobj 10 0 obj <> endobj 11 0 obj <> endobj 12 0 obj <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/ExtGState<>>> endobj 13 0 obj <> endobj 14 0 obj <> endobj 15 0 obj <> endobj 16 0 obj <> endobj 17 0 obj <> endobj 18 0 obj <>stream Only a year ago, after a year of formation, I became an Oblate of Saint Benedicts Monastery in St. Joseph, MInnesota. Lectio divina involves contemplating what we read or hear in a Scripture, being receptive to the presence of God, and letting ourselves be transformed. This article on the Contemplative outreach website explains the history of lectio divina, and offers instruction in how to do it. To be empowered by anything less than the God of love is to risk evil zeal in the name of vengeance. Ignatian spirituality is a spirituality for everyday life. 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. The Cistercian Order reinforced the eremetical character of the cenobitical life itself. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. Benedict, RULE OF Saint.This work holds the first place among monastic legislative codes, and was by far the most important factor in the organization and spread of monasticism in the West.For its general character and also its illustration of St. Benedict's own life, see the article St. Benedict of Nursia.Here, however, it is treated more in detail, under the following heads: I. Mauritius Wilde O.S.B explains that obedience means, , Fr. We stumble through being in right relationship. [], [] is both. Just as all these people practice to become more proficient, spiritual seekers practice in order to become better at living a spiritual life. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we should use them in that order. Benedict reminds us of our priorities: prayer, contemplation, balance and the importance of everything we do. Sam Rahberg is former Director of the Benedictine Center and a spiritual director in St. Paul. The Rule revolves around five practices: Prayer, Work, Study, Hospitality and Renewal. 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. He simply organized a form of cenobitic life in complete conformity with the demands of the monastic vocation, which is but integral Christian life. (320) 363-7112. It continues today as an institute for Benedictine students and others who wish to obtain graduate degrees in philosophy, theology, liturgy, and monastic studies. Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. d. rees et al., Consider Your Call: A Theology of Monastic Life Today (Kalamazoo 1978). Digital nun, writing for ibenedictines.org tells us, Fr. Benedict was born in Nursia, Italy in 480 and died in 543. Spirituality offers a worldview that suggests there is more to life than just what people . 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. Directly translated, Lectio Divina means divine reading. Hence he is able to receive others in the community, including guests, with kind consideration. 0000000820 00000 n Learn more at www.samuelrahberg.com. Rather, it is a series of embodied practices that forms the monk over the course of a lifetime to make space for the guest. 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. Monks are to listen "to the precepts of the master" but their primary and ultimate master is God. 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. 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. [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]. People are seen as an integrated whole: Body, Mind, and Spirit. Strong communities embrace stability and are open to necessary change. If he gets the grandeur of God in place, he is apt to get the rest of monastic life in place too. Her muscular Christianity is grounded in the spiritual practices of the Rule of Saint Benedict, such as silence, hospitality, humility, and peace. However, it may involve the following characteristics: Antiquity of 3,000 and 1,500 years. 9 0 obj <> endobj They are listeners and patient, willing to wait and see. What calls us to attention? They pray the Office together, with no voice standing out above the others. Even the Cistercians, who in the 12th century had intended to return to a faithful observance of the rule itself, added numerous statutes. Through this experience, he came to believe that authentic spiritual growth happens only when we life with and among flawed human beings whose faults and failings are only too obvious. In community we struggle through the practice of being in right relationship with people who are stubborndullundisciplinedrestlesscareless scatterbrainedirritatingand tiresome. It is only in our communitiesfamilies or monasteries, neighborhoods, workplaces, churches and organizationsthat we make spiritual progress by learning to love and accept others for who they are, not for who we wish they would be. It encourages a life balance between corporate worship, spiritual reading and work in the context of community. Saint Gregory has written that Saint Benedict, in entering his solitude, had no other desire than "to please God alone", "soli Deo placere desiderans." These simple words, better than any others, explain the monastic vocation. This is the key to Benedict's whole spiritual teaching. 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 . While submission is an act of youth, true obedience can only come as a response of maturity. 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. Obedience is an act of letting go of the egoistic will. In The Rule of Benedict for Beginners, Wil Derkse reveals how elements from Benedictine spirituality and the Benedictine lifestyle may be . Am I growing in my true identity as a son or daughter of God? Out of these . Benedictine spirituality is rooted in the cultivation of good habits. In a very special way God speaks through the Scriptures, through the liturgy of the hours (opus Dei ), and through personal prayer. We are all accountable as steward of creation, they tell us. Some of the key characteristics of Benedictine spirituality include: Liturgy of the Hours; Lectio Divina (prayerful reading of Scripture) Eucharist; Benedictine Spirituality includes the willingness to: Seek God; Use the Gospel and the Rule of Benedict as a guide; Listen to one another . 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. Recommended titles: Michael Casey, A Guide to Living in the Truth, 2001; Anselm Grn, Benedict of Nursia: His Message for Today, 2006. 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. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. One of the primary functions of the various monastic structures is to provide conditions in which the monks can concentrate on learning the art of listening. (320) 363-7112. mholicky@csbsju.edu. Benedictine spirituality is simple and down to earth. [CDATA[ 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. Christian monasticism had been in existence for a long time before Benedict wrote his rule. In this article, I have merely collected and summarized what other, more experienced Benedictines have taught and published. 1. Joan Chittister is a Benedictine sister with an ecumenical outreach and vision who has written more than 50 books. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/benedictine-spirituality, "Benedictine Spirituality 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 a. What are Benedictine Practices? Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. . The resulting collection of ten core values - love, prayer, stability, conversatio, obedience, discipline . If you fill out this form, Ill respond from my personal email. People are tired and worn out from striving against unhealthy systems. It encourages a life balance between corporate worship, spiritual reading and work in the context of community. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else." 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. Reading the transcript or listening to the podcast is worthwhile. Yes, work, too, is a basic tenet of Benedictine Spirituality. Ignacio Gonzalez, OSB writes that the Benedictine practice of Conversatio requires that we never stop asking hard questions about our personal growth. Stability Benedictine prayer has several characteristics that make more for a spirituality of awareness than of consolation. Not only does the Benedictine lifestyle fit well within the walls of the monastery, its interpretation of life is also suitable to other forms of society. It strives to answer questions about the meaning of life, how people are connected to each other, truths about the universe, and other mysteries of human existence. It appeared little by little wherever the Church took root, a spontaneous manifestation of the Holy Spirit urging Christians to become monks in response to the counsel given by Jesus in the Gospel: "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions , follow me " (Mt 19.21). The Rule of St. Benedict, written in the 6th century AD, still holds great relevance for our lives today. . The fourth Benedictine value is work, or labora. 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. The typical person takes little time for personal renewal in the hectic daily round of activities. About oblates, the Benedictine order says: "Oblates seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of life. Impact. 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. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. This religious practice refers to St. Benedict and his spiritual practice. The Benedictine practice of hospitality is radical. 0000000016 00000 n 21 0 obj <>stream Teaching Artist. It is a matter of self-respect and purpose which we see clearly in the changing nature of retirement. Benedictines say mindfulness is as much as a Christian and biblical concept as it is a Buddhist one. . Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. Prosperity and ties with temporal society often led monasteries, especially the larger ones, to depart more or less from certain fundamental observances required by the rule, notably separation from secular society, real simplicity of life, and manual labor. "Benedictine Spirituality The Benedictine motto, "Prayer and Work," highlights this simplicity of obedience to our daily duties. 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. 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. Encyclopedia.com. Prayer is essential to a Benedictine lifestyle. But what does the Bible teach on this issue? ." Benedictines say mindfulness is as much as a Christian and biblical concept as it is a Buddhist one. The Benedictine practice of mindfulness, like all the Benedictine practices, is lifelong. Benedict reminds us of our priorities: prayer, contemplation, balance and the importance of everything we do. Sister with an ecumenical outreach and vision who has written more than 50...., Mind, and Spirit collection of ten core values - love, prayer, work or... Clicking here time before Benedict wrote his Rule Antiquity of 3,000 and 1,500 years coming non-monastic! Personal email ibenedictines.org tells us, Fr former Director of the Old and New Testament traditions from. 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Read the Rulethree times every year the Rule of Benedict for Beginners, Wil Derkse reveals how elements Benedictine! The Bible teach on this issue is apt to get the rest of monastic in... Click here to read hints on how to do it Study, Hospitality and.. Several characteristics that make more for a spirituality of awareness than of.! D. rees et al., Consider your Call: a Theology of monastic life in place, he is to... Virtue of obedience the influence of spiritual movements coming from non-monastic sources I hope this (. Spiritual teaching podcast is worthwhile conversatio requires that we never stop asking hard questions about personal... Himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else ''. To Benedict from the heart of the egoistic will relevance for our Today... Is an act of youth, true obedience can only come as a response of maturity which! We see clearly in the changing nature of retirement Bible teach on issue... 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