|
Dropdown Menu Css by Vista-Buttons.com v4.5.0
|
Becoming a Benedictine monk is not the only way to God, but it is a
blest way for those called to this life. As a Catholic religious order, we
use many of the same means to holiness available to other Christians,
especially the Mass and the sacraments. We also use some means that are
characteristically "Benedictine." These include making the three
Benedictine vows after a suitable period of discernment in the monastery.
The vow of Stability anchors the monk in his religious community and gives him the family
in which to practice godly living. Conversion of life is the vow that keeps
first things first for the monk, always urging him on to full stature in Christ.
The vow of Obedience to the abbot (superior) identifies the monk with Christ who
came not to be served but to serve, obedient to the Father's will. This trio of
vows and the "Rule of Benedict," a discreet guide for monastics, form the
framework for Benedictines.
Another characteristic of Benedictine life is the place given to liturgical prayer. We
monks gather four times daily to chant the divine office, the official prayer of
the Church. It is our main work, together with celebrating the Eucharist. In
psalms and readings, we mark the passing of the day, returning everything to our
Creator in grateful praise and standing in for others on whom we ask God's
blessing. You'll be amazed at the power of the psalms to transform your thinking
and enrich your personal prayer-life after you've prayed and lived them for
awhile.
 |
Our Lady of Einsiedeln Statue
in the chapel at Subiaco |
Because our heritage is linked to the Abbey of Our
Lady of the Hermits (Einsiedln) in Switzerland, our prayer chapel honors
Our Lady under this title.Our Lady is held in high esteem by Benedictines because she is
our spiritual mother. In his holy Rule, St. Benedict prescribes that the
Magnificat (Our Lady's hymn of praise to God) be chanted every evening at
Office of Vespers.
The virtues of obedience and humility are paramount in Benedict's
Rule: the monk is to be a faithful servant of the Lord. Because Our Lady is the
sinless Handmaid of the Lord, we have the perfect exemplar.
Thus, in this chapel dedicated to Our Lady, monk and visitor alike are welcome to spend time in
private prayer and meditation.
More about Our Lady of Einsiedeln
|
