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“The fourth step of humility is that in this obedience under difficult, unfavorable, or even unjust conditions, his heart quietly embraces suffering and endures it without weakening or seeking escape.” —The Rule of Saint Benedict, Ch. 6 We are right in the middle of what is (or at least what SHOULD be) the strangest EasterContinue reading “The Easter Mystery”

“No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers; to God, loving fear; to their abbot, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us allContinue reading “Solemn-er Vows”

“They no longer live by their own judgment, given in to their whims and appetites; rather they walk according to another’s decisions and directions, choosing to live in monasteries and to have an abbot over them. Men of this resolve unquestionably conform to the saying of the Lord: I have come not to do myContinue reading “Life in Lockdown”

“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matthew 25:35) -The Rule of Benedict, Ch. 53 The Leahy House is a residence hall on the grounds that houses international students, visiting students, and most notably local students who don’tContinue reading “Lessons From the Leahy House”

“The life of a monk ought to be a continuous Lent. Since few, however, have the strength for this, we urge the entire community during these days of Lent to keep its manner of life most pure and wash away in this holy season the negligence of other times.” -Rule of Saint Benedict, Ch. 49Continue reading “Lenten Reflection”

“Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the brothers should have specified periods for manual labor as well as for prayerful reading.” –The Rule of Saint Benedict, Ch. 48 Some people have been asking what my daily schedule has been like. If you haven’t been asking, well too bad. I’m going to tell youContinue reading “My Schedule”

“Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die.” –The Rule of Saint Benedict, Ch. 4 The past few months have been rough here on the SBP community. This past December, a beloved alumni, coach, and teacher passed away at the age of 29 after a long battle with cancer, shaking the communityContinue reading “Memento Mori”

Obedience is a blessing to be shown by all, not only to the abbot but also to one another as brothers, since we know that it is by this way of obedience that we go to God. –Rule of Saint Benedict, Ch. 71 So, after spending approximately one week in a monastery, I know thatContinue reading “On Community”

Do not grant newcomers to the monastic life an easy entry, but, as the Apostle says, Test the spirits to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1) -Rule of Benedict Ch.58 To begin, my journey to Newark in the first place was a little rocky. After taking the 5am flight from Bemidji InternationalContinue reading “The First 48 Hours”

“Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service. In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love. “ — Rule of Benedict, Prologue: 45-47 I’mContinue reading “The Prologue”