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. It is humility that takes the monk beyond the myth of his own grandeur to the grandeur of God. Benedictine spirituality is simple and down to earth. 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. In other words, the core of Franciscan spirituality is the universal call to holiness that all women and men receive at baptism. 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. Hence, conversion to Christ and response to his love through the power of the Holy Spirit are the goals of obedience. 9 13
Closely related to both listening and humility is the virtue of obedience. Just as all these people practice to become more proficient, spiritual seekers practice in order to become better at living a spiritual life. Divine omnipotence is a divine operative attribute, an, TAULER, JOHANNES 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 Here are some of the characteristics of Benedictine spirituality: Grounded in Listening For Benedict, the spiritual life was about listening to Godthrough prayer, Scriptures, the depths of our own experience, through listening to others in our community and the wider church. How are you being called to participate in Gods work of reconciliation, healing, and in shaping structures that support values like these. 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 discussion shows that its impossible to isolate any Benedictine practice as independent of the others. [CDATA[ This grows our ability to rest in stability. Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. The Augustinian identity may be summed up as "The Search for God Together" by means of a Community through which we share our faith and life in a nurturing environment, and out of which is mutually generated our wholehearted service to society, the Church and world. This Benedictine practice is exceedingly difficult for most of us, for most of our lives. 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 rule is marked by a strong sense of the individual monk's personal worth and dignity. %PDF-1.4
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Music students practice their instruments. They regard Saint Benedict as their founder and guide even though he did not establish a Benedictine Order as such. 0000000742 00000 n
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. Life in Benedictine monasteries was also deeply influenced by the clericalization of many of the monks and the episcopal ordination of many abbots. 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. What helps us practice setting down our agendas in order to be more fully present? Prayer is the foundation to the monastic life and calling, and can be a constant part of the life of non-monastics as well. It shows itself in the way (emphasis mine) you put up with the many things of your daily life, sickness, death, war, persecution, mishaps and misfortunes of every kind. In other words, without awareness of God and without gratitude, indeed, without the interweaving of all these practices into our lives, patience cannot exist. The Rule of St. Benedict has often been referred to as a compendium of the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ. [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]. It is rather the fact that monastic existence is a form of religious life having not secondary or ministerial purpose. Benedictine spirituality is a way of life that helps a person to seek God and his will daily. It may be an old liqueur but it has a well-deserved place in the modern bar. Its principal source is the Word of God and its model is Christ. 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. 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. Instead, holiness of life was to be found through the right balance of these elements in life. 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. In no way am I qualified to be a teacher of the Benedictine way of life. 21 0 obj
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This religious practice refers to St. Benedict and his spiritual practice. Certainly the rule does not see material privation as an end in itself; it is in no way part of the Benedictine tradition to assess everything economically by materialistic standards or to override aesthetic or other values for the sake of cheapness or squalor, for such a mentality narrows the monk's horizons and even creates those very evils accompanying destitution which all Christians have duty to banish from the earth. Ignacio Gonzalez, OSB writes that the Benedictine practice of Conversatio requires that we never stop asking hard questions about our personal growth. Gymnasts practice routines, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and tennis players practice their serves. 0000001554 00000 n
"Let everyone that comes be received as Christ" is one of the most familiar and oft-quoted phrases of the Rule. 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. It encourages a life balance between corporate worship, spiritual reading and work in the context of community. 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. The Cistercian Order reinforced the eremetical character of the cenobitical life itself. 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. Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. endstream
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(f`eav (Six Hallmarks of Benedictine Spirituality) by Fr. 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.. This invitation to listen came to Benedict from the heart of the Old and New Testament traditions. Benedictine spirituality is rooted in the cultivation of good habits. What are Benedictine Practices? 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. Humility is also a dominant theme in Benedictine spirituality; in fact it is closely related to contemplation. podcast at DiscerningHearts.com from the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory, Fr. A crucial confessor and teacher for Ignatius very early in his spiritual journey was a French monk, Fr. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Stability 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. Benedictines read a portion of the Rule of Benedict every day. In his blog Benedictine Monks, Fr. Which value speaks to your heart most strongly at this time and why? Fr. For Benedictines, being in right relationship means that we treat everyone we encounter with loving kindness and patience. Sister Joan Chittister is an extraordinarily prolific writer and among the most famous living Benedictines. Silence in Benedictine practice is knit together with listening and with prayer.
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. thats most of the time. 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. 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. The Benedictine practice of mindfulness, like all the Benedictine practices, is lifelong. 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. It underscores the tenets of Care ethics in conjunction with Benedictine Spirituality. Garcia Jimenez de Cisneros in . In his spare time, you will find Sam tending his familys small tree farm or fly fishing for trout in Southeast Minnesota. About oblates, the Benedictine order says: "Oblates seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of life. 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. Getting Started with Ignatian Spirituality Beyond the Basics of Ignatian Spirituality 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. People are seen as an integrated whole: Body, Mind, and Spirit. This practice is not particular to Benedictines, however. The Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana explain the importance of community life in Benedictine practice on their website. 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. This is the key to Benedict's whole spiritual teaching. The Rule of Benedict opens with the word "listen" (ausculta ). Am I growing in my true identity as a son or daughter of God? Reading the transcript or listening to the podcast is worthwhile. %%EOF
Benedictine Sr. Mary Lou Kownacki, a major force behind the ministries and outreach that shaped the Benedictines of Erie, Pennsylvania, in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, died Jan. 6 at . [] Review Benedictine Spirituality (Part 1 of 3) [], [] Review Core Values: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 1 of 3) [], [] Learn more about core Benedictine values. 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. Benedict calls the monastery a "school" because it is the place where the monk is to be taught by God. Benedictines are called to strive for silence and have a love for silence. trailer
The Nazirite's spiritual disciplines included not drinking wine or eating grapes, not cutting . Many Oblates rely on. RB 73, the final chapter, is more or less a bibliography for all that precedes it. These prayers, which included the saying or chanting of the psalms, can be experienced in our Daily Office. Practice is how people develop the skills to become adept at anything. 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. Christian monasticism had been in existence for a long time before Benedict wrote his rule. New Catholic Encyclopedia. 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. This article on the Contemplative outreach website explains the history of lectio divina, and offers instruction in how to do it. It continues today as an institute for Benedictine students and others who wish to obtain graduate degrees in philosophy, theology, liturgy, and monastic studies. 0000000949 00000 n
Balance is less about achieving perfect equilibrium than it is a pendulum which continuously swings back toward a central point. But it also requires that he let go of false expectations concerning others. . By listening and seeking stability of life, we strive to discern the new path that Christ is forever calling us to travel. 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. 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. 0000002422 00000 n
In 1893 the same pope provided the "order" with an Abbot . This sounds like the universal call to holiness, the theme that began this article. If he gets the grandeur of God in place, he is apt to get the rest of monastic life in place too. The meaning of stability in our day and time refers to staying rooted where we arein relationship with ourselves and with others, in order to grow in the spiritual life. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. I hope this list (compiled in September, 2018) is helpful, perhaps even inspiring. Humility is the ability to recognize one's rightful place in the universe and to see oneself as a mysterious combination of strengths and weaknesses. Benedictine Spirituality - also known as Monastic Spirituality. Adrian also writes, This kind of wisdom is why St. Benedicts Rule continues, after more than 1,500 years now, to stir the hearts of men and women who want to live their lives entirely for Christ. In other words, Benedicts Rule stirs the hearts of those who want to live each day fully. 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. 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. Humility demands that the monk take God seriously, that he take others seriously, but that he never take himself too seriously. If he persists in this state, atheism truly becomes a way of life. 0000000016 00000 n
It is not one of the distinguishing characteristics of early monastic life. xb```f``x(80 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). Augustinian Spirituality does not take us out of the world (into the . Ordered by a rhythm of daily prayer that is Biblical and reflective xref
In chapter 72 of the rule, Benedict encourages his monks to be zealous, "supporting with the greatest patience one another's weaknesses of body and behavior, and earnestly competing in obedience to one another. ." 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. Retrieved February 22, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/benedictine-spirituality. The Benedictine practice of hospitality is radical. Saint Clare of Assisi (16 July 1194 - 11 August 1253, born Chiara Offreduccio and sometimes spelled Clara, Clair, Claire, Sinclair, etc.) His books includeGratefulness,A Listening Heart, and most recently, a new autobiography,i am through you so. A devoted monk, he established the Rule of Benedict. In no way am I qualified to be a teacher of the Benedictine way of life. Sam Rahberg is former Director of the Benedictine Center and a spiritual director in St. Paul. Of all creatures, the human person is in fact the neediest. Gymnasts do routines, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and tennis players practice their serves. Gymnasts practice routines, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and tennis players practice their serves. Lectio divina involves contemplating what we read or hear in a Scripture, being receptive to the presence of God, and letting ourselves be transformed. In a very special way God speaks through the Scriptures, through the liturgy of the hours (opus Dei ), and through personal prayer. That is why the ministry of hospitality is such an important part of the Benedictine heritage. The Rule revolves around five practices: Prayer, Work, Study, Hospitality and Renewal. Characteristics of Benedictine Spirituality. Benedict reminds us of our priorities: prayer, contemplation, balance and the importance of everything we do. 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. 4. This practice is not particular to Benedictines, however. 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. Therefore, be sure to refer to those guidelines when editing your bibliography or works cited list. Continue to Prayer and Community: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 2). 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. Awareness of God In Benedictine practice we acknowledge the primacy of God and look for God in the ordinary events of each day. 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. Consequently he accepts the services and ideas of others, the gifts of life, and community. published by Liturgical Press, by clicking here. 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