Carthusian Spirituality

Thanks for that, I had not read it before!

Welcome, TuAutem.

Here is a worthy link I've come across to the writings of a Carthusian on the subject of Carthusian saints, for you and for anyone else with an interest:

http://transfiguration.chartreux.org...Saints_REV.pdf

I offer the most powerful prayer of all!:

silence

thank you phoenix for your posts. They are always deeply thought provoking and supportive of our spiritual lives for God.

GUIGO'S LETTER

To the Reverend N. Guigo Least of those servants of the Cross who are in the Charterhouse to live and to die... for Christ.

"One man will think another happy. I esteem him happy above all who does not strive to be lifted up with great honors in a palace, but who elects, humble, to live like a poor country man in a hermitage; who with thoughtful application loves to meditate in peace; who seeks to sit by himself in silence.

"For to shine with honors, to be lifted up with dignities is in my judgment a way of little peace, subject to perils, burdened with cares, treacherous to many, and to none secure. Happy in the beginning, perplexed in its development, wretched in its end. Flattering to the unworthy, disgraceful to the good, generally deceptive to both. While it makes many wretched, it satisfies none, makes no one happy.

"But the poor and lonely life, hard in its beginning, easy in its progress, becomes, in its end, heavenly. It is constant in adversity, trusty in hours of doubt, modest in those of good fortune. Sober fare, simple garments, laconic speech, chaste manners. The highest ambition, because without ambition. Often wounded with sorrow at the thought of past wrong done, it avoids present, is wary of future evil. Resting on the hope of mercy, without trust in its own merit, it thirsts after heaven, is sick of earth, earnestly strives for right conduct, which it retains in constancy and holds firmly for ever. It fasts with determined constancy in love of the cross, yet consents to eat for the body’s need. In both it observes the greatest moderation for when it dines it restrains greed and when it fasts, vanity. It is devoted to reading, but mostly in the Scripture canon and in holy books where it is more intent upon the inner marrow of meaning than on the froth of words. But you may praise or wonder more at this: that such a life is continually idle yet never lazy. For it finds many things indeed to do, so that time is more often lacking to it than this or that occupation. It more often laments that its time has slipped away than that its business is tedious."

http://transfiguration.chartreux.org...r-Solitude.htm

"During the great monastic fast, which lasts from 14 September to Ash Wednesday, except for Sundays and feast days, dinner is an hour later, and supper consists of a glass of wine and a crust of bread ne potus noceat (Statutes). During Lent, Vespers are sung before dinner, which is not till midday and supper is as above. Meat is never allowed on any account, though, in a case of life and death, the monk may, if not solemnly professed, be dispensed. Once a week there is a fast on bread and water and during Advent and Lent, on Fridays and on certain vigils lacticinia are forbidden."

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03388a.htm

(Lacticinia = milk and milk products, e.g., butter and cheese, and eggs or animal products formerly prohibited during Lent, along with flesh meat.)

http://www.catholicculture.org/cultu...x.cfm?id=34465

P.S. You're welcome, william3!

THANK YOU

Grace and peace to you,
william3

A Carthusian blessing for Lent:

“Lord Jesus Christ, the only Way for anyone to come to the Father, we ask You in Your unfailing love to lead this servant of yours, detached from desires of the flesh, by the way of regular discipline; and, since You were willing to call sinners, saying, ‘Come to Me, all you who are burdened, and I will give you rest,’ grant that Your invitation will become so strong the he will put down the burden of his sins, taste how good You are, and deserve to receive You as His nourishment. Number him among Your sheep so that he will know You and follow no stranger, that he will not even hear the voice of other shepherds but only Yours, saying, ‘If anyone would serve Me, let Him follow Me.’”

http://secret-harbor.blogspot.com/20...-for-lent.html

The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ.

~~ Saint Anthony of Padua

What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language he best hears is silent love.

~~ St John of the Cross, OCD