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. Music students practice their instruments. One of the primary characteristics of a spiritual person is openness. It is not one of the distinguishing characteristics of early monastic life. Using philosophical and theological lens, this paper attempts to 1) present the Benedictine Leadership vis--vis Care ethics 2) proffer that charity or care is the driving force of a transformational leader and, 3) purport that a caring leader, directly or . The principles of evolution just enumerated enable us to understand why within one and the same Benedictine spiritual tradition there could appear and subsist different tendencies. This grows our ability to rest in stability. Benedictine St. Benedict lived in the 6 th century. The wisdom of Native Americans has often been quoted as a way of thinking about the long term implications of our present actions: What is the impact of our decisions on the seventh generation? We are called to consider ourselves part of Gods larger and longer story, living a legacy which was a gift to us and inspiring others who will follow. It sets up a framework of life, an institution, of which the essential and constitutive elements are firmly determined: life in common under the government of a superior called an abbot, who has the help of a prior and other officials and takes counsel of the whole assembly of monks, even the youngest in the community. Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. How are you feeling called to commit that value to practice in the days ahead? Benedict calls the monastery a "school" because it is the place where the monk is to be taught by God. 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. 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. 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. Directly translated, Lectio Divina means divine reading. j. chittister, The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages (New York 1992). 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. 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. Lectio divina involves contemplating what we read or hear in a Scripture, being receptive to the presence of God, and letting ourselves be transformed. Lets make ours a truly humana listening and reverentconnection. Benedictine spirituality is rooted in the cultivation of good habits. 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 discussion shows that its impossible to isolate any Benedictine practice as independent of the others. Divine omnipotence is a divine operative attribute, an, TAULER, JOHANNES Benedict reminds us of our priorities: prayer, contemplation, balance and the importance of everything we do. Core Islamic Beliefs: Six Articles of Faith. Benedictine spirituality is a way of life that helps a person to seek God and his will daily. The third Benedictine value is conversatio morum, which translates to "conversion of life." This value involves a commitment to personal and spiritual growth, and it involves constantly seeking to improve oneself and to live in a way that is consistent with one's values and beliefs. Yes, work, too, is a basic tenet of Benedictine Spirituality, Chris Sullivan nexplains in her blog post Work and Prayer in the Style of St. Benedict for Loyala Press. 480 to 547 CE in Italy. 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. "No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else." - Rule of St. Benedict 72:7 A Raven is Collaborative Collaborative Ravens create a spirit of teamwork. Benedictine spirituality is a fresh alternative in an increasingly fast-paced world. It insists that God is present in our world and active in our lives. 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. Spiritual Direction, sometimes referred to as spiritual guidance or spiritual friendship, is an on-going relationship in which a person, desiring to be attentive to his or her spiritual life, meets with the spiritual director on a regular basis to become more attuned to God's presence and to respond more fully to that presence. While there are times allotted for prayer and for work, ultimately there is to be no division between the two. . Just as all these people practice to become more proficient, spiritual seekers practice in order to become better at living a spiritual life. Ordered by a rhythm of daily prayer that is Biblical and reflective The Benedictine practice of hospitality is radical. Instead, holiness of life was to be found through the right balance of these elements in life. Listen to the Holy Spirit speaking through scripture and through the insights of others. Practice is how people develop the skills to become adept at anything. What does it mean for us to learn contentment with living simply? 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. 540-604 CE), who praised Benedict for his discretion and moderation. Romey is the driving force behind "Being Benedictine in the 21st Century: Spiritual Seekers in Conversation," a conference planned for June 2020 at Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison. As time went on we decided that we needed a clear focus on the values. In this article, I have merely collected and summarized what other, more experienced Benedictines have taught and published. We prefer concepts like freedom and independence. Obedience is a concept 21st-century souls dont generally like to consider. In Benedictine practice we acknowledge the primacy of God and look for God in the ordinary events of each day. Only a year ago, after a year of formation, I became an Oblate of Saint Benedicts Monastery in St. Joseph, MInnesota. 0000002422 00000 n
For most Oblates.
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. This practice is not particular to Benedictines, however. Hence they are rich compared with many who come to the monastery for help. Among the many available lists of core Benedictine values, I find that of Saint Johns Abbey to be one of the most helpful. 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. 0000000949 00000 n
Just as all these people practice to become more proficient, spiritual seekers practice in order to become better at living a spiritual life. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. The Benedictine practice of Liturgical prayer is one of Benedictine spiritualitys most visible, unmistakable hallmarks. 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. This pattern of sharing is a basic characteristic of a cenobitic community. Silence in Benedictine practice is knit together with listening and with prayer. Awareness of God In Benedictine practice we acknowledge the primacy of God and look for God in the ordinary events of each day. The Benedictine practice of Moderation in All Things is another that is trending today, under the word balance. In the blog Echoes from the Bell Tower, Fr. Adrian Burke, OSB writes, Benedict insists in his. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Like counselling, therapy and coaching, spiritual direction rests on careful listening to the 'client'. That is why the ministry of hospitality is such an important part of the Benedictine heritage. The second characteristic of the monastic vocation is that it demands a life of which a privileged part is given to prayer. But for all, the ideal has remained "solitude of heart" with God, guaranteed by the "order of charity" in the community institution. The monk's own attitude toward his life then is one of stewardship. Ignatian spirituality is a spirituality for everyday life. . Nazirites (Numbers 6:1-21): Nazirites were of two types: those who were dedicated from birth to be a Nazirite (e.g. 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. Monastic Spirituality. The Benedictine practice of Moderation in All Things is another that is trending today, under the word balance., Obedience is a concept 21st-century souls dont generally like to consider. Benedictine writers often appealed to methods of prayer and asceticism that were foreign to the monastic tradition. These prayers, which included the saying or chanting of the psalms, can be experienced in our Daily Office. Augustinian Spirituality does not take us out of the world (into the . 0000005209 00000 n
It is specified solely by a commitment to God sanctioned by public vows. Humility requires the monk to accept the gifts of others, their wisdom, their experience, and their counsel. 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. Samson and possibly John the Baptist) and those who undertake the vow for a limited time (Paul may have done this, cf. Cultivating awareness of God is important for all who seek a meaningful spirituality. No one thingprayer, work, rest, studywas to be done in the extreme. My work with the Monastic Interreligious Dialogue (MID) has . It encourages a life balance between corporate worship, spiritual reading and work in the context of community. 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. 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. These three characteristics refer especially to intellectual activity. . RB 73, the final chapter, is more or less a bibliography for all that precedes it. startxref
"Benedictine Spirituality They pray the Office together, with no voice standing out above the others. By integrating their prayer and work, they manifest Christ's presence in society.". But Benedict also reminds the monk that there is a wicked zeal which leads to death. Recommended titles: Michael Casey, A Guide to Living in the Truth, 2001; Anselm Grn, Benedict of Nursia: His Message for Today, 2006. Sam Rahberg is former Director of the Benedictine Center and a spiritual director in St. Paul. 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. podcast at DiscerningHearts.com from the Missionary Benedictines of Christ the King Priory, Fr. It is a matter of self-respect and purpose which we see clearly in the changing nature of retirement. 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. Impact. to the Rule is a good way to summarize the goal of Benedictine spirituality and prayer. Cultural Producer. Finding God in All Things. Do you yearn for a good life, and do you desire to see good days? The monk is called to discern how the Benedictine tradition speaks to the basic human condition, often characterized by blindness and greed. It is a comprehensive rule of life for the whole church and all her members. Benedict shows us the value of ordering our day around communal prayer (i.e. e. de waal, Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict (Collegeville 1984). Benedictine monastics make a three-fold commitment to stability, conversion (conversatio), and obedience. The rhythm of life leads one to times of being alone and times of being in community. Benedict's treatment of obedience must be understood in light of his understanding of authority. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/benedictine-spirituality, "Benedictine Spirituality Although well into the middle years of an average life span, I am a rank beginner, a mere toddler in Benedictine practice. 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! Benedictines say mindfulness is as much as a Christian and biblical concept as it is a Buddhist one. Ignacio Gonzalez, OSB writes that the Benedictine practice of Conversatio requires that we never stop asking hard questions about our personal growth. In other words, to be a good Franciscan means to be a good Christian. Retrieved February 22, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/benedictine-spirituality. For the readers convenience, I will include only six of them here along with a simple explanation. Digital nun, writing for ibenedictines.org tells us,The practice of mindfulness, which for a Christian must always be the practice of mindfulness of the presence of God, is not something we learn in a few hours or even a few years. He is called to witness in a materialistic world to the dependence of all men and women on God, and to their need and destiny for a happiness that lies beyond material fulfillment. 6 Characteristics Of Benedictine Spirituality . The first and fundamental manifestation of such a vocation is a real separation from many aspects of the secular world. They are listeners and patient, willing to wait and see. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. 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. Out of these . 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. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. As. Brother David Steindl-Rast of the Gut Aich Priory monastery in St. Gilgen, Austria, is the founder and senior advisor for A Network for Grateful Living. Benedictine spirituality is a way of life that helps a person to seek God and his will daily. Life in Benedictine monasteries was also deeply influenced by the clericalization of many of the monks and the episcopal ordination of many abbots. It underscores the tenets of Care ethics in conjunction with Benedictine Spirituality. The Benedictine tradition has frequently presented examples of spiritual men and women, many of them venerated as saints, who in the line of their monastic vocation have sought to unite themselves to God by the eremetical or solitary life, normally in dependence on their superior and in the neighborhood of their monastery. Seeing the Face of Christ in the Poor. Gymnasts practice routines, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and tennis players practice their serves. In this article, I have merely collected and summarized what other, more experienced Benedictines have taught and published. //stream
Dominican preacher and mystic; b. Strasbourg, c. 1300; d. there, June 16, 1361. Bndictine D.O.M. Benedicts wisdom and commentary has provided the foundation for Benedictine communities throughout the centuries, and continues to influence many of us in the community of St. Pauls. 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. 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. 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. 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. Practice is how people develop the skills to become adept at anything. This Benedictine practice is exceedingly difficult for most of us, for most of our lives. Benedictine spirituality offers an important voice in our world today, a voice which informs our praying, living and discerning. Silence in Benedictine practice is knit together with listening and with prayer. Successful organizational . In a blog hosted by Holy Wisdom Monastery of Madison, Wisconsin, Lynne Smith, OSB writes that in America, middle and upper class people tend to imagine they are living self-sufficiently, believing they are able to pretty much take care of [their] needs. This self-deception is possible only when [w]e take for granted all the people who work behind the scenes to provide the food for the store, to staff and maintain the filling station and all those people involved in the health care system. 1) They know that not one-size-fits-all. But it also requires that he let go of false expectations concerning others. 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. ." Co-Director of the Spirituality Center. (320) 363-7112. 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? The Rule of St. Benedict (RB) became a foundational text for monasticism in the West, having emerged in the sixth century as the Roman civilization was collapsing. In no way am I qualified to be a teacher of the Benedictine way of life. Gymnasts practice routines, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and tennis players practice their serves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoTQF_Z_3lQ. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. 22 Feb. 2023
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