This morning at 6am I picked up James and together we drove up to the Westminster Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Mission. We arrived there shortly after 7am, settled into one of the corners upstairs in the guest house, and proceeded to take out our Bibles and have a Bible Study of Psalm 41.
Afterwards we prayed the Psalm, before praying for the world, for the church, and for one another.
Then we got down to business. The purpose of our trip to the monastery was to speak with some of the monks there, and learn about their community-life. We met with Father Mark, Father Matthew, and towards the end of the day we met a lively one, Father Peter. The areas we discussed were: 1- the purpose of Benedictine monasticism in general, and the Westminster Abbey in particular; 2- the structure of the community; 3- the nature of life together; and 4- the nature of ministry.
Afterwards we prayed the Psalm, before praying for the world, for the church, and for one another.
Then we got down to business. The purpose of our trip to the monastery was to speak with some of the monks there, and learn about their community-life. We met with Father Mark, Father Matthew, and towards the end of the day we met a lively one, Father Peter. The areas we discussed were: 1- the purpose of Benedictine monasticism in general, and the Westminster Abbey in particular; 2- the structure of the community; 3- the nature of life together; and 4- the nature of ministry.
Here are, in (very) short form, the responses we received:
1- Benedictine monasticism exists to seek God through ora (prayer) and labora (work), and this is worked out in response to the monastic vow of stability, continual conversion, and obedience; the specific calling of Westminster Abbey is to prepare young men for the priesthood.
2 - the structure of the community is 1 abbot and 29 monks; the abbot is the Christ-figure of the community, and as such his authority is unquestioned; on the other hand, he leads the community not out of a position of pride or lordship, but humility and love.
3- the nature of life together is structured around the divine office, or the sanctification of time through work & prayer. Every one works out his monastic vocation according to his gifts.
4- the nature of ministry stems from the gospel of Matthew (5:14), where Jesus says: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden." In other words, do now what we will be doing in all eternity: seeking peace and pursuing it.
I have to say that everytime I visit the monastery I leave a better man. It seems to me they're doing something right. I'm incredebly attracted to their vocation.
After we finished the conversation, we went and heard them sing the Psalms in the beautiful church.
And we also had the chance to go for a walk and visit the monastery farm. The picture above is of the orchard trees.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the monks at the Abbey who are working in your vineyard. Bless them according to your good and perfect will. Amen.
After we finished the conversation, we went and heard them sing the Psalms in the beautiful church.
And we also had the chance to go for a walk and visit the monastery farm. The picture above is of the orchard trees.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the monks at the Abbey who are working in your vineyard. Bless them according to your good and perfect will. Amen.
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