Suburban Hermit
“In Every Man There is a Monk and an Explorer” Ben Stauffer
Reading Old Books
Medieval Monastic Library From the beginning the monastic way of spirituality has emphasized the importance of reading and study. Here's why: studying the old books safeguards your spirituality from being merely a [...]
Three Vows Braided Together
Three Monks Three Vows The Benedictine monk or nun takes vows of Stability, Obedience and Conversion of Life. There is much that can be learned from the three vows not only for [...]
Strangely at One With the Stone and the Glass
PENTAX Image My first visit to a Benedictine monastery was while I was a student at Oxford. I travelled down on the train first to Reading and then to the little station [...]
The Perfect Counterpoise of Light and Stone
Blackfriars, Oxford I first discovered this beautiful, simple monastic chapel when I attended Fr Simon Tugwell OP's lectures on the English mystics while I was a student at Oxford. Whenever I visit [...]
Old Monk on Silence
Silent people are not the only ones who don't say much.
From the Old Red Book
Here is a beautiful and mystical hymn/poem by the Victorian convert F.W.Faber. As all good hymns should do it blends deep theology, sublime worship and radiant insights. Amid the eternal silences God's endless Word was spoken [...]