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Category Archives: Monasticism
Life and Good Days
A good message from a nearby abbot. I’m not sure where the referenced video is exactly; the Sentinel doesn’t provide a link on the story I linked just above. I did notice an introductory video at the top of their main video … Continue reading
Posted in Monasticism, spirituality
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Book Challenge Day 5
Another difficult choice, from a trinity of possibilities. Near the end of my college days, my faith life was deepening. Within a year or so, I read Merton’s autobiography, the Rule of St Benedict, and this early Henri Nouwen book, … Continue reading
Posted in Monasticism, On My Bookshelf
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On My Bookshelf: Gethsemani
The full title of Dianne Aprile’s 1998 book is The Abbey of Gethsemani Place of Peace and Paradox. Written on the occasion of that Kentucky monastery’s 150th anniversary, I read it over the course of four nights. A most enjoyable … Continue reading
Posted in Monasticism, On My Bookshelf, spirituality
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Antarctic Orthodoxy and the Longing for Peace
A few readers may recall my fascination with farthest down under continent. A search for “Antarctica” on the side will uncover a collection of posts. Perhaps you recall this citing of a CNS article describing how Christian chaplaincy is handled at … Continue reading
Thomas Merton on Charity
Too often Christian charity is understood in an entirely superficial way, as though it were no more than gentleness, kindness, and affability. It certainly includes all these things, but it goes far beyond them. Thus Thomas Merton begins an essay … Continue reading
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Aiming For Discipline, Not Doctrine
John Allen at Crux continues his pre-synod features on the family and related issues. I see the stories and mostly opinion pieces on that new site, including today’s projected compromise. Tackling the unforgiveable sin, remarriage after a divorce, this will … Continue reading
On My Bookshelf: Atchison Blue
Yesterday I overheard my colleague Shari describe our parish library to a prospective student as “one of the best theological libraries in Iowa.” That may be right. It also has amazing spiritual riches, like this book by the poet and journalist Judith … Continue reading
Posted in Monasticism, On My Bookshelf, spirituality
Tagged Atchison Blue, Judith Valente
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Antarctic Monasticism
Feeling a bit better today. But with howling winds pushing the falling and fallen snow, I don’t think I’ll be venturing out until much later today. They already closed the church office. Did I mention this was tabbed the worst … Continue reading
Posted in Monasticism, Other Places, Science, Scripture
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Lectio for Lent
From the PrayTell blog, a link to Abbot John Klassen’s talk on Lectio Divina. This was filmed during my visit to St John’s last November, and the abbot had requested an “audience,” to help engage the presentation. So we retreatants … Continue reading
Posted in Monasticism, spirituality
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Lovers of the Place
Rocco Palmo, as well as other writers, have reported on the death of Dom Francis Kline, abbot of Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina. Dom Kline, a Trappist, will be buried tomorrow. Rocco also linked to an article in the State … Continue reading
Posted in Monasticism, Neil
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When Monks Go Bad: “Second Abbots” and the Rule of St Benedict
This isn’t about some unfortunate battle at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is rather about the most dangerous person in any Benedictine Monastery. Who can this be? The young novice? The cellarer? The abbot? As Andrew Marr reminds … Continue reading
Posted in Monasticism, Neil
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Called By God in Kansas City: Bishops, Religious, Clergy
One of my readers asked for a comment on Rock’s post on a Kansas City’s Nun’s Story. I knew we had other breaking local news, too, so let me commit a possible faux pas by combining this link with another … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Monasticism, Parish Life
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New Monasteries
A brief Zenit piece on monastery foundation in the Third World. The tropics hold little geographical interest for me, as you might guess, but my wife and I are on the mailing and donor list for Tautra, nearing completion of … Continue reading
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More on Trappists
Michael Downey’s book Trappist: Living in the Land of Desire has been an aid to prayer this week. All the fuss about that bishop living at Mepkin drew my attention to a spot on my bookshelf. And here it was. … Continue reading
Posted in Monasticism, Other Places, spirituality
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Catholic Sensibility 
Dispelling a Myth: The Church is not a Democracy
My wife and I are on a few mailing lists for monasteries. Places we’ve visited hold a special affection, and I read their newsletters completely when they arrive at our home. A bit of reading has piled up this summer, … Continue reading →