Benedict and Ignatius Discerning a Vital Spirituality

Benedict Life , midst disintegrating Western Roman Empire; Eastern Roman Empire intact Monks in Syrian and Egyptian deserts influential – Loose coalitions of Individual monks – Simeon the Stylite spent 37 years on a column How can Western Christianity prosper?

Rule of Benedict – Provide model of and support for Christian communities in the Middle Ages Community striving for holiness – Stable, self-supporting – Regular ritualized community prayer – Organized on egalitarian principles Benedict looking to form a new world for those striving for holiness

Benedictine Practices: Stability Commitment to specific community Maintain relationships through conflicts

Benedictine Practices: Stability Commitment to specific community Maintain relationships through conflicts Making stability part of our lives – Hanging in with friends, communities, families – Virtue of adaptability – Taking responsibility for common good: family, community, nation

Rule of Benedict: Ora et Labora Communal prayer orders life of Benedictine monk Silence during the day allows meditation and private prayer

Rule of Benedict: Ora et Labora Communal prayer orders life of Benedictine monk Silence during the day allows meditation and private prayer Making communal prayer part of our lives – Communal Eucharistic prayer – Liturgy of the Hours – Family rituals

Rule of Benedict: Ora et Labora Communal prayer orders life of Benedictine monk Silence during the day allows meditation and private prayer Making personal prayer part of our lives – Pray on rising and retiring – Establish a place for personal prayer – Practice of journaling or contemplative or artistic prayer

Rule of Benedict: Ora et Labora Self-supporting communities based on farm and trades Safe refuges and travelers’ inns Education for monks and communities Emphasis on Silence during the day Not “Pray and work” but “Pray while working”

Rule of Benedict: Ora et Labora Self-supporting communities Safe refuges and travelers’ inns Education for monks and communities Silence during the day Making “pray while working” part of our lives – Respect and care for work in our lives – Turn off media while driving, walking, cooking – Use of simple repetitive prayers: Jesus Prayer, Rosary

Rule of Benedict: Organization Models available to Benedict – Monarchy – Oligarchy – Athenian Democracy – Meritocracy Benedict’s “egalitarian” solution – Abbot to be obeyed – Abbot must consult with all members – Physical labor shared by all members

Rule of Benedict: Organization Benedict’s solution – Abbot to be obeyed – Abbot must consult with all members – Physical labor shared by all members Making Benedictine equality work in our lives Respect each other Avoid gossip, whinging Sharing the unpleasant chores

Benedictines and Jesuits

Benedictines Rule for community Prayer around communal liturgies Model a new world Vow of stability Roman and Anglican Men, women, lay Colleges named for saints Jesuits Exercises for individual Prayer around Daily Office, examen Change the existing one Vow of Papal obedience Roman Men Colleges named for cities

Benedictine and Jesuit Spirituality Practices Writing a Rule of Life Praying with Scripture Daily Prayer Workaday Life Community Life

Benedictines and Jesuits Benedictines Famous: Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating Film: “Of Gods and Men” Poets: Thomas Merton, Kathleen Norris NPR Commentators: ? NCAA B-Ball champions: 0 Jesuits Famous: Pope Francis I Film: “Black Robe” Poets: Gerard Manley Hopkins, Daniel Berrigan NPR Commentators: 2+ NCAA B-Ball Champs: 5