Monastic Words

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ABBEY . . . From the Aramaic word ABBA, which means FATHER. The superior of an Abbey is an Abbot. In monasteries of women the superior is an Abbess. 

BENEDICTINE . . . The man, Benedict, lived in the 6th century. He wrote a Rule which we Benedictine men and women have observed for 1500 years. 

MOTTO . . . All men/women need a focus. We Benedictines have two words that give us our focus. In Latin the words are ORA ET LABORA, Pray/Work. The two words put life in a balance. 

THE RULE . . . the life and service that Benedict proposes to the men/women who chose his style of living are marked by these qualities: 

SILENCE - the first word of the Rule is "Listen". The Monk, whether Abbot or not, is expected to be silent in the presence of brothers/sisters and to learn. (see VOWS below) 

CONSENSUS IN DECISION MAKING - "As often a anything important is to be done in the monastery, the abbot shall call the whole community together . . . all shall be called for counsel, for the Lord often reveals what is better to the younger. 

MODERATION - "All things are to be done in moderation." Benedict had seen, had even tried, an extravagant and severe life-style. He saw that frenetic spirituality was not the way to God. He lived by the Gospel. 

COMMUNITY - unity in diversity. The monastics are told to respect the gifts of each other and to depend on them in their communal service to the world:

RESPECT FOR ALL CREATED THINGS - as found in the Rule on quests, the poor, the sick, the tools of the monastery.

GUESTS - "The Monastery is never without guests ....All guests who present themselves are to be received as Christ."

VOWS - 1) Obedience to the Rule and the Abbot, 2) Stability with the Community, 3) Dialogue (conversation) in the Community. This latter is very unique. It postulates willingness to listen, to change, to modify and to grow.

PRAYER - There is prayer, of course. But Benedict is cautious about it. He is "alive with the Gospel". He had seen how ostentatious some are in their relationships with Jesus and with God. "Prayer should, therefore, be short and pure, unless perhaps it is prolonged under the inspiration of divine grace."

MONKS are male or female religious whose lives are marked by stability in community and whose primary work is the proclamation of the Word of God in what is called the OPUS DEI.

OPUS DEI . . . is the creative Word of God as recorded principally in Scripture. The total OPUS, including the daily Sacrifice of Jesus, is proclaimed by Monks dramatically, so it can be better understood and can better bring salvation to the world.

God's Masterpiece, the Opus Dei, can best be compared to a symphony, i.e., an OPUS of a human composer. The work begins in the morning with the Abbot, the Symphony Conductor, calling the Choir and the musicians to attention. Then begins an Introduction, new each day, permitting all the members of the Choir to find their places. 

At that the OPUS begins. There is a Hymn, fitted to the season or the feast. Then Antiphons are introduced by the appointed solo Leader; Psalms are chanted chorally and recited antiphonally; bits of the two Testaments are read, some historical, others prophetical, some inspirational; only at Mass is the Gospel read. The Gospel is the Word of God proclaimed by Jesus. It has primacy of honor. To all readings the Monks give their responses, solo and choral. There are periods of hushed silence. During the evening section, writings of Catholic authors are read. Modern authors make contemporary application from the counsels and models found in the OPUS, i.e., the plan of God. 

Two parts of the OPUS are never omitted, no matter what the season. 

ONE, the Cantor at Vespers intones the Canticle of Mary, the MAGNIFICAT. The whole Choir sings, "My soul proclaims the Lord's greatness, he has done great things for me. Mary is our model of surrendering our energy to God and continuing His work through Jesus today. 

TWO, at the first section of the OPUS in the morning, and at Vespers in the late afternoon, the Abbot intones the Lord's Prayer, "Our Father...". All continue "Hallowed be they name..." and complete it with the Amen. 

At sundown the Abbot brings the OPUS to close with a Blessing. WELL DONE!! 

Guests, and particularly Oblates, are permitted to take part in the proclamation of the OPUS, but only after they have had some practice and some experience. 

Performing the OPUS DEI well is a joy to the Monks. It lifts their spirits to the Creator and suffuses them with contemplation. It is, thought, WORK, demanding of the Monks frequent practice and close precision. 

Their resulting joy is expressed in service to the world through their work in Education, Health Care, Mission Work, Pastoral Ministry, in Hospitality to the Poor, to the Spiritually Needy, to all Seekers for God. 

Wherever there are new frontiers Monks are active and flourish. 

You are welcome to join us - - with whatever talents and time you have. 

God be with you!!!