Words from the Desert (Podcast from the Monks)
Words from the Desert, our podcast, is a conversation between the Benedictine monks on the Desert Fathers, their lives, and their writings. The monks read through passages in the writings of the Desert Fathers and, drawing upon their experiences and learning in the monastery, discuss them in order to hand on the tradition of the wisdom of the Fathers.
Whatever walk of life you find yourself in, this down-to-earth and simple wisdom is an ever-ancient and ever-new guide to well-being and holiness.
The episodes will be posted on our podcast’s webpage: cenacleosb.podbean.com.
Listen on: 
Episode 11: In this episode, the brothers discuss three sayings that all have to do with different capital vices. Consequently, their discussion turns to the whole list of capital vices and how they relate to each other, as well as a few thoughts on how we might overcome them.
Episode 10: In this episode, the brothers continue their previous discussion on prayer, focusing on aspects of how the enemy tries to prevent prayer. After this, they spend some time on a saying that serves as a good introduction to the pivotal monastic and Christian virtue of obedience. Finally, they talk about about silence and carrying stones in their mouths…
Episode 9: The brothers begin the sayings of Abba Agathon first by discussing a saying of his on conscience and the importance of keeping it clear. After this, they explore an account about Abba Agathon and his community, they finish up with an extremely crucial saying on the importance of prayer and the warfare that accompanies it. The discussion on prayer will resume in the following episode.
Episode 8: The brothers finish off Abba Arsenius in this episode with three final sayings. They begin by talking about the role of prayer at night time and its fruitfulness in the spiritual life, and then go on to discuss a saying that touches on the topic of rash judgment. This takes them into a protracted conversation about compunction of heart, what it is, and how important it is for anyone who desires to grow in virtue.
Episode 7: In this episode, the abbas discuss the importance of communion among brothers in the desert (and in the family) and how little things can go a long way to either creating or harming fellowship. After this, they tackle a saying that continues the theme of discretion in penitential practices, or any devout practices for that matter. Abba Arsenius shows that it is often too easy to take up a pious practice in one area and then, on account of the hardship experienced, compensate in another area in potentially harmful ways.
Episode 6: In this episode, the brothers discuss a prayer that Abba Arsenius makes about new beginnings. So many moments throughout the year and throughout one’s life allow us the opportunity to start anew, and with each new beginning we should always have recourse through prayer to the Author of all beginnings.
Episode 5: In this episode the brothers start off by considering the forging of virtues, and then move on to tackle one of the “hard” or “strange” sayings of Abba Anthony in order to give you an idea of what to do when you come across one of the sayings that is just plainly weird. With that, they finish up the sayings of Abba Anthony and move on to those of Abba Arsenius, again bringing to mind how our actions are directed towards the end of union with God. Here they discuss how all people are able to flee the world and be alone with God.
Episode 4: In this episode, the brothers focus on a couple of sayings of Abba Anthony that have to do with the strength of our fathers in the faith, and how we often can seem so weak. But don’t despair! In our weakness God comes to our aid. So, at the same time, they consider how the great lesson that our fathers have to teach us is truly the mercy of God.
Episode 3: In this episode, the brothers spend their time, by accident, on a single saying that they find extremely rich. The irony is that the saying is on silence, and the brothers seem to have a lot to say about it…
Episode 2: In this episode, the brothers continue studying the sayings of Abba Anthony that cover various some of the same topics as the previous episode, but focus especially on humility, fraternal charity, and even the importance of rest in the spiritual life.
Episode 1: In our pilot episode, the brothers explore the first few sayings of Abba Anthony that cover various topics in the spiritual life, especially some rudimentary steps in humility, fear of God, and spiritual combat.