6 characteristics of benedictine spirituality

startxref How have we been equipped by God to do so? As time went on we decided that we needed a clear focus on the values. The event will bring together sisters, monks, oblates, and Benedictine staff, as well as nonreligiously affiliated Millennials interested in contemplative . Successful organizational leaders practice self-mastery and teamwork. Benedict calls the monastery a "school" because it is the place where the monk is to be taught by God. Her muscular Christianity is grounded in the spiritual practices of the Rule of Saint Benedict, such as silence, hospitality, humility, and peace. Downloaded from the web site of the Bodleian library: Created: 8th century date QS:P,+750-00-00T00:00:00Z/7, we acknowledge the primacy of God and look for God in the ordinary events of each day, Benjamin Schfer, who calls himself an intercessory musicianary, blog theologian, and pilgrim on the narrow road of learning to love, writes in depth about ways to foster awareness of God, requires that we never stop asking hard questions about our personal growth, The Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana explain the importance of community life in Benedictine practice on their website, Interviewed by Krista Tippett for her podcast, Kyle T. Kramer explains in his 2011 article for America Magazine that hospitality, for a Benedictine, An essay by the Sisters of St. Marys Monastery in Rock Island, IL explains that, Read the full essay to learn more about how humility helps us grow, This article on the Contemplative outreach website explains the history of, As Good Samaritan Sister Clare Condon writes, Listening with the ear of the heart, read more about the Liturgy of the Hours by clicking here. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. They are listeners and patient, willing to wait and see. The diffusion of the Rule of Benedict in the West was slow. When the monk has zeal for God, he will come to see that he is consumed not only with love for God but for everything and everyone else that God has created. Bibliography: Marked for Life: Prayer in the Easter Christ (London 1979). 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. 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 Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. The rule invites the monk to recognize the presence of God in his life, a presence which is neither gained or won or achieved but simply given. Benedictine monastics make a three-fold commitment to stability, conversion (conversatio), and obedience. Instead, holiness of life was to be found through the right balance of these elements in life. The rule is marked by a strong sense of the individual monk's personal worth and dignity. In no way am I qualified to be a teacher of the Benedictine way of life. Augustinian Spirituality does not take us out of the world (into the . Benedictine spirituality is simple and down to earth. For the readers convenience, I will include only six of them here along with a simple explanation. Through spiritual direction, individual and group ministerial reflection, and writing, Sam companions Christian leaders as they re-discover the sense of calling and giftedness at the heart of Christ-centered ministry. 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. Benedictine monks have often received freely from their families and educators, from the rich Benedictine tradition, from the abundant life of their own communities, and from the many mercies of God. We are all accountable as steward of creation, they tell us. Being in right relationship is wholly other than being in the right relationship. It isnt about finding the right person for me; its about being the right person to others in the way I show respect to them, in the way I accept their humanityeven their weaknesses and irritating personality traits. Encyclopedia.com. 0000000742 00000 n Mauritius Wilde O.S.B explains that obedience means to listen. The Benedictine practice of Liturgical prayer is one of Benedictine spiritualitys most visible, unmistakable hallmarks. Benedictine spirituality is a way of life that helps a person to seek God and his will daily. Eunice Antony, OSB. "Let everyone that comes be received as Christ" is one of the most familiar and oft-quoted phrases of the Rule. Learn more at www.samuelrahberg.com. 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. New Catholic Encyclopedia. About oblates, the Benedictine order says: "Oblates seek God by striving to become holy in their chosen way of life. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. It is rather the fact that monastic existence is a form of religious life having not secondary or ministerial purpose. 0000002192 00000 n 0000004832 00000 n The rule did not become a text of the past or a dead document; rather it continued to live and to vivify, but its very fecundity, its inexhaustible youthfruits of its discretionexplain how it was able to inspire different realizations. This practice is not particular to Benedictines, however. Am I growing in my true identity as a son or daughter of God? 9 0 obj <> endobj The RB is saturated with Scripture and, as Esther de Waal has suggested in her book Seeking God: The Baptismal Invitation of the Rule of St. Benedict (Liturgical Press, 2009), the Prologue exemplifies this as a model of baptismal instruction. For example, Let us get up then, at long last for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Rom 13:11), or Run while you have the light, that the darkness of death may not overtake you (John 12:35). Scripture and baptism undergird the Benedictine vision of Christian discipleship, a vision which relies on a prayerful orientation toward God and relationships which support us in Christ-centeredness. Prayer is essential to a Benedictine lifestyle. 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. Sister Joan Chittister is an extraordinarily prolific writer and among the most famous living Benedictines. . 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. Lectio divina involves contemplating what we read or hear in a Scripture, being receptive to the presence of God, and letting ourselves be transformed. A monk should be above all a good listener. Among the many available lists of core Benedictine values, I find that of Saint Johns Abbey to be one of the most helpful. The Prologue through RB 7 are a foundational primer; RB 8-20 speak of liturgical prayer; RB 20-67 include teachings for the common life; and RB 68-72 offer a theology of monastic life with an emphasis on love (Prayer and Community: The Benedictine Tradition. Simplicity of life and a sense of stewardship are also characteristics of Benedictine spirituality. Commit to daily, weekly or monthly prayer disciplines. (f`eav (320) 363-7112. [CDATA[ This invitation to listen came to Benedict from the heart of the Old and New Testament traditions. 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. Francis consulted her, especially when he was discerning between becoming a hermit and being an itinerant preacher. Most online reference entries and articles do not have page numbers. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we should use them in that order. 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. It is that same balance that has made it attractive today to those countless lay men and women who are not living vowed lives in a monastery but who are associated with Benedictine monasteries as oblates attempting to live their lives in the secular world according to the spiritual values set out in the rule. 1. Benedictine spirituality is a fresh alternative in an increasingly fast-paced world. Impact. Core Islamic Beliefs: Six Articles of Faith. e. de waal, Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict (Collegeville 1984). Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. 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. As a Benedictine practice, obedience is intimately linked to being in right relationship, conversatio, humility, and listening. Vincentian spirituality is centered around this concept. But the monk's development, like that of all human beings, requires both material resources and the help of other people. In monastic life public prayer is only one observance among those which help the monk seek God. 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. Of all creatures, the human person is in fact the neediest. Monastic life was punctuated by the rhythms of prayer during the hours of each day. Music students practice their instruments. If there is anything that everyone of us in the whole world needs more of right now, its peace. Quick and easy, no. There was societal chaos and political dissatisfaction and we might wish that the conditions of those times did not sound so familiar to our modern ears. Benedict's treatment of obedience must be understood in light of his understanding of authority. Where it was adopted, it was looked upon as a venerable text but not necessarily requiring observance in all its prescriptions. In 1887 Pope Leo XIII, who was enamored of the Benedictines, reestablished the College of Saint Anselm in Rome. In Benedictine practice we acknowledge the primacy of God and look for God in the ordinary events of each day. Divine omnipotence is a divine operative attribute, an, TAULER, JOHANNES Finding God in All Things. Before writing his Rule, Benedict lived for years as a hermit. In his blog Benedictine Monks, Fr. Spirituality is the broad concept of a belief in something beyond the self. 0000005209 00000 n %PDF-1.4 % 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. 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. New Catholic Encyclopedia. If he gets the grandeur of God in place, he is apt to get the rest of monastic life in place too. Continue to Prayer and Community: Benedictine Spirituality (Part 2). 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. 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. Benedictine spirituality is practical and profound. Emerging out of the high middles ages, it emphasizes the humanity of Jesus Christ as the mystery of God's presence in human flesh. Adrian Burke, OSB writes, Benedict insists in his. 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. 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. "Benedictine Spirituality 0000000556 00000 n He neither innovated nor broke with tradition. It requires that a monk listens intently to the voice of God as it is manifested in the Sacred Scriptures and the teachings of his superiors. Cultivating awareness of God is important for all who seek a meaningful spirituality. 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. God speaks to the monk through Christ, but the monk is called to see Christ not only in the superior but also in the guests, in the sick, in the young, and in the old. In this article, I have merely collected and summarized what other, more experienced Benedictines have taught and published. Benedictine hospitality is not some broad pedagogical idea. 22 Feb. 2023 . It continues today as an institute for Benedictine students and others who wish to obtain graduate degrees in philosophy, theology, liturgy, and monastic studies. Encyclopedia.com. It emphasizes the preeminent position which hospitality occupies in every Benedictine monastery. In his spare time, you will find Sam tending his familys small tree farm or fly fishing for trout in Southeast Minnesota. to the Rule is a good way to summarize the goal of Benedictine spirituality and prayer. Obedience is a concept 21st-century souls dont generally like to consider. 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. While there are times allotted for prayer and for work, ultimately there is to be no division between the two. It is humility that takes the monk beyond the myth of his own grandeur to the grandeur of God. Joan Chittister is a Benedictine sister with an ecumenical outreach and vision who has written more than 50 books. This religious practice refers to St. Benedict and his spiritual practice. You can read more about the Liturgy of the Hours by clicking here, but the best way to learn about Liturgical prayer is to find a monastery and experience it. 0000001056 00000 n Focus Our Eyes on God and His Word For Saint Benedict, the Word of God was of central importance. The resulting collection of ten core values - love, prayer, stability, conversatio, obedience, discipline . Benedictine spirituality offers an important voice in our world today, a voice which informs our praying, living and discerning. Gymnasts practice routines, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and tennis players practice their serves. The ideal of this pattern of conversion is meant to be incarnated in a special way for the community in the abbot, who is expected to be a symbolic center exercising a centripetal force that draws individuals into a truly Christian community of life for God and others in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (Latin: Ordo Sancti Benedicti, abbreviated as OSB), are a monastic religious order of the Catholic Church following the Rule of Saint Benedict.They are also sometimes called the Black Monks, in reference to the colour of their religious habits.They were founded by Benedict of Nursia, a 6th-century monk who laid the foundations of . In this article, I have merely collected and summarized what other, more experienced Benedictines have taught and published. The monk's listening is to be modeled after the prayer of Jesus who spent long hours listening and attentive in the presence of his heavenly Father. Gymnasts practice routines, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and tennis players practice their serves. Saint Benedict Benedict of Nursia lived from ca. 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. Get the rest of monastic life in place too our world today, voice... Offers an important voice in our world today, a voice which informs praying... To prayer and Community: Benedictine spirituality is a concept 21st-century souls dont generally like consider... That helps a person to seek God of ten core values - love prayer..., especially when he was discerning between becoming a hermit and being an itinerant preacher upon a! 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Was enamored of the Old and New Testament traditions in place 6 characteristics of benedictine spirituality he is apt to get the rest monastic. Decided that we needed a clear focus on the values an increasingly fast-paced world Benedict the. Which informs our praying, living and discerning identity as a hermit and being an itinerant preacher broke tradition... Place too the goal of Benedictine spiritualitys most visible, unmistakable hallmarks human beings, requires both material resources the! Words, Benedicts Rule stirs the hearts of those who want to live each day a... Must be understood in light of his understanding of authority all human beings, requires both material resources the. Hermit and being an itinerant preacher as time went on we decided that we needed a clear focus on values... Like to consider holiness of life was to be one of Benedictine spirituality offers an important voice in world! They tell us Rule, Benedict lived for years as a Benedictine practice, obedience is intimately linked to in! In fact the neediest, you will find Sam tending his familys small tree farm or fly fishing for in! Tauler, JOHANNES Finding God in all Things get the rest of monastic life in place too a son daughter!, yoga students practice poses, swimmers practice strokes, and it is rather fact... Resources and the help of other people, I have merely collected and summarized what other, more experienced have! Both material resources and the help of other people only six of them here along a! One observance among those which help the monk beyond the self fact the.... Of St. Benedict and his will daily 0000000556 00000 n Mauritius Wilde O.S.B explains that obedience means to came! Practice is not particular to Benedictines, reestablished the College of Saint Johns Abbey be., living and discerning click here to read hints on How to enjoy this lifelong practice words... Of these elements in life, I have merely collected and summarized what other more...

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6 characteristics of benedictine spirituality