Old Monk on Conversion of Life
Conversion of Life means your whole self must be transformed into a living icon of Christ.
St Benedict on Humility – Stages Five through Eight
Last week I posted the full chapter from Benedict's Rule on Humility, then commented at the end of the week on the first four stages. Here are some thoughts on stages five through eight. The fifth degree of humility is that he hide from his Abbot none of the evil thoughts that enter his heart or [...]
Old Monk on Obedience
Obedience is the way to say "Thy will be done" without words.
St Benedict’s Prescription for Humility
In Chapter Seven Benedict teaches a twelve step plan to nurture humidity. The twelve steps follow the structure of one of the perfect numbers: four and three multiplied = two perfect numbers multiplied. Therefore consider in more detail for a moment the first four steps of humility The first degree of humility, then, is that a [...]
Benedict Means Business
Monks at Work His common sense and deep understanding of human nature means St Benedict's wisdom applies to every aspect of human life--not just the monastery. Wherever people live and work together, St Benedict's Rule can guide, enlighten and direct. Benedict's emphasis on work is one of the first points in Western civilization in which work [...]
St Benedict on Humility
Monks of Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in Silver City, N.M. Click to enlarge image From Chapter Seven of the Rule of St Benedict In this chapter St Benedict outlines the twelve steps of humility. I post the words of the Master here today and will comment on them over the next week in [...]
Seeing with Sacramental Eyes
Here is the reading for today from St Benedict's Rule. Let the brethren serve one another, and let no one be excused from the kitchen service...for this service brings increase of reward and of charity. The one who is ending his week of service shall do the cleaning on Saturday. He shall wash the towels with [...]
From St Benedict for Today
In the monastery a portion of the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud each day. For November 11, Chapter 34 on Whether All Should Receive Equal Shares is read. You can read the whole passage here. He who needs less should thank God and not be discontented; but he who needs more should be humbled by the thought [...]
On Serving in the Refectory
The Refectory, Quarr Abbey, Isle of Wight, UK Let the brethren serve one another, and let no one be excused from the kitchen service except by reason of sickness or occupation in some important work. For this service brings increase of reward and of charity... The one who is ending his week of service [...]
On the Ordering of Time and Place
Monks in Chapter Everything will be done at the proper time. -- Rule of St Benedict Idleness is the enemy of the soul, and so monks should be occupied at some times with manual labor, and at certain times with holy reading. -- Rule of St Benedict The monk renounces a life of agitation [...]