Hearken, O my son, and begin afresh (Prologue 1)
PROLOGUE OF OUR MOST HOLY FATHER SAINT BENEDICT TO HIS RULE 1 Jan. 2 May. 1 Sept Hearken, O my son, to the precepts of...
Saint Mariam of Jesus Crucified
La Petite Arabe The message of the “Little Arab,” Mariam Baouardy, Saint Mary of Jesus Crucified, canonised on 17 May 2015, is well suited to...
Et ex caritate, confidens de adiutorio Dei, oboediat (LXVIII)
CHAPTER LXVIII. If a Brother be commanded to do Impossibilities 26 Apr. 26 Aug. 26 Dec. If on any brother there be laid commands that...
O Doctor Mellifluus
Inflamed With Zeal The liturgy describes Saint Bernard as a man all ablaze with zeal for the house of the Lord. The little phrase, “inflamed...
In the order of their coming to religion (LXIII)
CHAPTER LXIII. Of the Order of the Community 18 Apr. 18 Aug. 18 Dec. Let everyone keep that place in the Monastery, which the time...
Of the Sons of Nobles or of Poor Men that are offered
CHAPTER LIX. Of the Sons of Nobles or of Poor Men that are offered 13 Apr. 13 Aug. 13 Dec. If any nobleman shall perchance...
Suscipe me, Domine (LVIII:2)
12 Apr. 12 Aug. 12 Dec. Let him who is to be received make before all, in the Oratory, a promise of stability, conversion of...
Eight Days Would Be Enough
It is good, I think, to be reminded of Saint Peter Julian Eymard’s “secret” for arriving at a fully Eucharistic life: The secret for arriving...
The brother who is sent out on any business (LI)
CHAPTER LI. Of the Brethren who go not very far off 2 Apr. 2 Aug. 2 Dec. Let not the brother who is sent out...
Their weakness must be taken into account (XLVIII:3)
CHAPTER XLVIII. Of the daily manual labour 30 Mar. 30 July. 29 Nov. On Sunday, let all occupy themselves in reading, except those who have...
Idleness is an enemy of the soul (XLVIII)
CHAPTER XLVIII. Of the daily manual labour 28 Mar. 28 July. 27 Nov. Idleness is an enemy of the soul; and hence at certain seasons...
The heart that hides no treason (XLVI)
CHAPTER XLVI. Of those who offend in any other matters 26 Mar. 26 July. 25 Nov. If any one, while at work in the kitchen...
Friends in Heaven and on Earth
Yvonne-Aimée Makes Herself Known It was July 9, 1956. Someone entered the life of Julian Green (1900-1998) in a most unforeseeable way. Green’s sister Anne,...
Of Those who Come Late to the Work of God or to Table (XLIII:2)
23 Mar. 23 July. 22 Nov. If any one, through his own negligence and fault, come not to table before the Verse, so that all...
Supplica to Saint Vincent de Paul
Thank You to Saint Vincent de Paul A Supplica is a prayer of supplication composed according to a certain literary genre that remains popular in...
What kind of Man the Cellarer of the Monastery is to be (II)
9 Mar. 9 July. 8 Nov. Let him above all things have humility; and to him on whom he hath nothing else to bestow, let...
How the younger boys are to be corrected (XXX)
CHAPTER XXX. How the younger boys are to be corrected 7 Mar. 7 July. 6 Nov. Every age and understanding should have its proper measure...
The cure of the sick brother (XXVIII)
CHAPTER XXVIII. Of Those Who, Being Often Corrected, Do Not Amend 5 Mar. 5 July. 4 Nov. If any brother who has been frequently corrected...
A Monastic Short Story
Death and Resurrection at Winkworth Abbey Disclaimer: The following short story, “Death and Resurrection at Winkworth Abbey”, while based on real events in various places...