This is the approach one must assume in a spirit of loving generosity, and in imitation of Christ who became "obedient unto death." Through this, the monk shares in the Passion of Christ and journeys with him to glory,” said Father Fittin. The Benedictine of Mary strives first and foremost to be obedient to the Church, faithful to the Church's magisterial teaching and the living authority of the Church in her hierarchy. After his death in 547, the Rule quickly spread across Europe. Thanks to stability, they hold on as things will get better…someday, but they will,” he said. The monk vows to never become complacent or slothful in his efforts to grow in holiness, or careless or lazy in performing his religious duties in community life. St. Benedict founded multiple monasteries in Italy. Stability means being rooted. Though promises of poverty and chastity are implied in the Benedictine way, stability, fidelity, and obedience receive primary attention in the Rule – perhaps because of their close relationship with community life. 8. The community itself, although necessarily possessing funds and seeking income to sustain itself, also embraces poverty in that we as a community renounce luxuries and practice frugality and simplicity whenever possible. It’s a daily dynamic — a continuous conversion away from sin toward the Passion and Resurrection,” he said. Monks dressed in loose brown robes, tied at the waist with a cord. As a result, the Benedictine and Templar Rules bear considerable similarities. Benedict's principles for a good and balanced life are enshrined in the three vows which Benedictine monks and nuns make. From the three vows of stability, obedience and conversion of life come the balance which we need as individuals, families and as a society. The Benedictine is a spirituality of work: man's by labor, God's by prayer. Stability means being rooted. The Benedictine Rule has ordered all our actions since our foundation. “It’s the vow that monks make to keep them on the straight and narrow. “We all need Conversatio.” Vow of obedience Benedictine monks need look no further that Abraham in the Old Testament to find the inspiration they need in keeping their vow of obedience to God. Some scholars have claimed that the vow formula of the Rule is best translated as "to live in this place as a monk, in obedience to its rule and abbot." Canons give the superior or prior honor by conceding him/her first place, and assisting him/her as he/she wishes.9. The monk strives to detach himself from possessions which can distract him in his search for God and impede his quickness in obedient service, as reflected in the young man’s unwillingness to accept Jesus’ invitation (Matthew 19:22). Benedictines make three vows: stability, fidelity to the monastic way of life, and obedience. “When we abandon ourselves to God’s will, we let go. Benedictine monks live a monastic life with the purpose of glorifying God in all things. “As Christians we must be people of hope and remain steadfast in the ‘Good News’ of Christ Jesus. Though promises of poverty and chastity are implied in the Benedictine way, stability, fidelity, and obedience receive primary attention in the Rule – perhaps because of their close relationship with community life. At Mass, we can more effectively hear what God wants to tell us by listening to the Word. – Lesson 6. Benedict was the ruler over the monks.Benedictine Rule - The Rule of St. Benedict 528AD To control the monks of Monte Cassino St. Benedict framed a Rule, or constitution, which was modelled in some respects upon the earlier Rule of St. It is in this "little Rule written for beginners," that we find the pattern to be "doers of the Word;" a time-tested way of life which cultured a … Benedictines make three vows: stability, fidelity to the monastic way of life, and obedience. The monastic vows are an aid in losing these aspects of self. From the three vows of stability, obedience and conversion of life come the balance which we need as individuals, families and as a society. He proposes to establish a "school for the Lord's service" (Prol. This Rule of Life is read daily, and we strive to keep every aspect of it in all its austere simplicity. Basil exerted in the East. A life of service. First off, a Benedictine monk is a man of the Catholic religion who follows the rule of Saint Benedict of Nursia, a Christian saint and a patron saint of Europe. She vows obedience for life to the Holy Rule, and to its living authority in the Abbess and her successors. Facts about Benedictine Rule 9: the three vows. Once a man had taken his vows and become a monk, he was to now dedicate every waking minute of his life to the accomplishment of three pursuits. By Sister Susan Hutchens, OSB. The rule, which spread slowly in Italy and Gaul, provided a complete directory for both the government and the spiritual and material well-being of a monastery by carefully integrating prayer, manual labour, and… Read More According to these rules, priests could not marry, could not own goods, and had to obey their abbot. The rules he established were called Benedictine Rule. The monastic vow of the order summarises the way Benedictine monks live: Obedience (to the superior) Stability (therefore remaining in the same monastery) Conversio Morum (changing the way one lives) St Benedict’s motto was Ora et Labora (prayer and work). Benedictine schools cultivate a fundamental attentiveness to the ways by which God is present in the human mind and heart and, indeed, in all creation. Benedict’s principles for a good and balanced life are enshrined in the three vows which Benedictine monks and nuns make. We can offer hope to one another, especially those among us most vulnerable and suffering,” said Father Fittin. It’s the realization that we can and must change, and be open to the many and varied ways God reveals himself to us,” he said. In the Rule, Benedict tells his monks and nuns that a balance of prayer, work, study, and leisure (renewal) is their way, that the Divine Office is their work (opus dei), and the vows of stability, conversion, and obedience are their commitments. In their obedience, we learn to see things from a new perspective: God’s. “Monastic obedience isn’t a mere carry-out of orders. “Although we all share the same faith in Christ, each religious order has its own spirituality and charism. This vow contains the evangelical counsels of poverty and chastity. Stability means remaining in the particular monastic community in which one … Benedictine Rule. LOGIN TO POST ANSWER. Benedictine Rule- it was used by monasteries and convents across Europe. From these three promises come the balance which we need as individuals and as a society. A profound sense of equality – we are all children of God – leads us to live with infinite compassion to all our sisters and brothers. The essential values of Good Samaritan Benedictine Education* are: Love of Christ and Neighbour. Basil. They take vows of stability, obedience and conversion of life. These were the Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. The rule, which spread slowly in Italy and Gaul, provided a complete directory for both the government and the spiritual and material well-being of a monastery by carefully integrating prayer, manual labour, and… Read More What follows are summaries of Father Fittin’s presentations about the Benedictine vows of stability, obedience and conversion of life. More important than the material renunciation is the spiritual dimension. There are three vows that the monks that to take based on the Benedictine rule. The Benedictine monk or nun promises to stay committed to his or her monastic … Becoming a monk under the Rule of Benedict meant a life-long commitment. In Benedictine …wrote his rule, the so-called Benedictine Rule, c. 535–540 with his own abbey of Montecassino in mind. It’s nice for people to know, who we are and where I come from,” said Father Fittin, a counselor to the abbot and liturgy director at St. Mary’s Abbey in Mendham, and chairman of religious studies at Delbarton School there. Its Free! The three (3) vows of the Benedictine monks were:ObedienceStabilityconversatio morum (ancient Latin Benedictine term meaning roughly continuing fidelity to the monastic life, or conversion of manners) Conversion. The second was poverty, and the third was chastity, or purity. – Rule of St. Benedict. This vow has been translated over the centuries as “conversion of manners”, or “conversion of life”, each having its own particular meaning. b. Canons live in their own residences and are expected to observe chaste relationships, obedience to the prior, and modesty in lifestyle. Benedictine monks take three vows—obedience, stability, and conversatio morum. “Today the Rule is lived everywhere in the world except on Antarctica. They take vows of stability, obedience and conversion of life. So God blessed Abraham with a promise, that later, was fulfilled in the appearance of Rebecca, who become the wife of Isaac, whose life the Lord spared. When we yield our will and freedom to God, we truly find both, emanating from the infinite and incomprehensible love of God. “Monastic spirituality has become popular and can help lay people in their walk with God.” The founder of the religious order, St. Benedict, wrote these vows as part of his Rule of St. Benedict, which he compiled for St. Benedict’s monastery at Monte Cassino south of Rome. - The Rule of St Benedict 58. St Benedict directed that nothing is to be preferred to prayer (RB, 43.3). Recognized for his wisdom and leadership, men seeking to live out the monastic life sought him out to be their abbot. 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