The Benedictine School - Page 2

OraLabora · #16 Jul 23, '12, 1:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwinch2

Great post! Thanks for that.

To be fair, I think Benedictines are in fact, worried about scholarship but that the focus of the scholarship is much different. The Benedictines publish scholarly journals such as the American Benedictine Review, and the like, and obviously, there are many many books written by members of the Benedictine family. However, in my view the focus is not doctrinal in nature. Instead, it is, as you indicated, about conversion. The focus of monastic spirituality and scholarship seems to be an effort to better understand how to live the Gospel, the Holy Rule, and the writings of the Early Fathers.

I just attended a retreat put on by the Abbot at St. Gregory's in OK about the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The whole series of presentations was very scholarly in nature, he did a fantastic job researching the topic. However, it wasn't scholarly in the sense of doctrine, it was scholarly in the sense of understanding how to live your life in a way that manifested itself in being a better Christian. There was some serious Scripture interpretation going on as well as very in-depth and interesting discussions of the writings of the Church Fathers, in particular St. John Cassian.

I hope that I am getting my point across and I don't mean to discount your statement so I hope it doesn't come across that way.

Peace,

Oh indeed the Benedictines are scholarly, there's no doubt. They're educated and erudite. They research their liturgy very well (the music, etc.) and do it well too.

But you're right they do focus much of their scholarly work on the Rule, spirituality, their history, Cassian, etc.

For the Office of Readings I use Benedictine 2-year lectionary. Their choice of patristic readings is quite a revealing window into what they think is important.

Doctrine though, not so much.

jwinch2 · #17 Jul 23, '12, 1:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by OraLabora

Oh indeed the Benedictines are scholarly, there's no doubt. They're educated and erudite. They research their liturgy very well (the music, etc.) and do it well too.

But you're right they do focus much of their scholarly work on the Rule, spirituality, their history, Cassian, etc.

For the Office of Readings I use Benedictine 2-year lectionary. Their choice of patristic readings is quite a revealing window into what they think is important.

Doctrine though, not so much.

Agreed. Since the OSB seems to care for quite a few seminaries, they must put some effort towards doctrinal discussion, but it certainly seems minimal in comparison to other orders such as the Dominicans, Jesuits, etc. I like the focus of the Benedictine family's scholarship a great deal, it really seems to speak to me for whatever reason.

If you could, please send me a link to the lectionary you are using when you have a moment. I use the Roman Breviary currently because it is online and easy to use, but have been considering switching things up a bit. Thanks in advance!

Peace of Christ,

OraLabora · #18 Jul 23, '12, 1:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwinch2

Agreed. Since the OSB seems to care for quite a few seminaries, they must put some effort towards doctrinal discussion, but it certainly seems minimal in comparison to other orders such as the Dominicans, Jesuits, etc. I like the focus of the Benedictine family's scholarship a great deal, it really seems to speak to me for whatever reason.

If you could, please send me a link to the lectionary you are using when you have a moment. I use the Roman Breviary currently because it is online and easy to use, but have been considering switching things up a bit. Thanks in advance!

Peace of Christ,

I'll post it here for the benefit of others who may wish to use it, but... caveat, French and Latin only! And it's a book, not on-line. Well several volumes actually. I got it from Solesmes. Here's the link for the first volume:

http://www.solesmes.eu/GB/editions/livres.php?cmY9NTQ=

jwinch2 · #19 Jul 23, '12, 1:48 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by OraLabora

I'll post it here for the benefit of others who may wish to use it, but... caveat, French and Latin only! And it's a book, not on-line. Well several volumes actually. I got it from Solesmes. Here's the link for the first volume:

http://www.solesmes.eu/GB/editions/livres.php?cmY9NTQ=

French and Latin? Thanks anyway...

Since I barely speak English, I can only pray that others will get some use out of it.

Peace,

OraLabora · #20 Jul 23, '12, 1:50 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwinch2

French and Latin? Thanks anyway...

Since I barely speak English, I can only pray that others will get some use out of it.

Peace,

Can you barely speak English because you're originally from Texas, or because you're originally not from Texas

Sorry for the levity!

jwinch2 · #21 Jul 23, '12, 1:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by OraLabora

Can you barely speak English because you're originally from Texas, or because you're originally not from Texas

Sorry for the levity!

Ha!

I'm actually from Iowa originally but it is certainly a bit different down here. To be fair to Texans though, Louisiana and Tennessee were far worse when it came to accents. We miss Louisiana quite a bit.

The comment was actually just a general slam on my own level of intelligence. My humor tends to run to the self-deprecating kind.

TrueLight · #22 Jul 23, '12, 2:51 pm

Good stuff. I want more.

Can we split this into a thread on the spirituality thread?

OraLabora · #23 Jul 23, '12, 2:53 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueLight

Good stuff. I want more.

Can we split this into a thread on the spirituality thread?

I think Cat already started one over on the Spirituality forum. We could teleport over there

TrueLight · #24 Jul 23, '12, 2:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by OraLabora

I think Cat already started one over on the Spirituality forum. We could teleport over there

I just realized that thread morphed into a thread on the Orthodox.

OraLabora · #25 Jul 23, '12, 2:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueLight

I just realized that turned into a thread on the Orthodox.

Oy vay! Thread drift city

C'est la vie on Internet forums I guess...

TrueLight · #26 Jul 23, '12, 3:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by OraLabora

Oy vay! Thread drift city

C'est la vie on Internet forums I guess...

C'est vrai Monsieur.

**pnewton** · #27 Jul 23, '12, 3:22 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by OraLabora

Can you barely speak English because you're originally from Texas, or because you're originally not from Texas

I resemble that remark!

jwinch2 · #28 Jul 23, '12, 7:00 pm

Thanks to the mods for splitting this off of the SSPX thread.

So, now that we are here, what should we discuss? How about anyone telling me if they have read this commentary on the Holy Rule?

http://www.amazon.com/The-Rule-Saint...I1K2Z4HIZHDHD0

Peace,

OraLabora · #29 Jul 23, '12, 7:09 pm

Thanks also for keeping it on the Traditional Forum. I think the overall contribution of the religious orders to Catholic tradition is too important to ignore. Alas it often is and. Exause of this there's great misunderstanding about some practices that are, in fact, steeped in tradition, such as free standing altars with tabernacles in side chapels.

A little perspective from Benedictines (and other orders) if it serves to reduce the divide between traditionalists and more on contemporary Catholics might be a good thing.

Mrs Sally · #30 Jul 23, '12, 7:10 pm

I would like to ask for a link to an article about the "Cloister in the Heart" (or similar name). At the time the article was recommended here on CAF the original link was broken.

Is anyone familar with the article? Does anyone have a copy?

I will also agree with everyone else that life goes so much better when I focus on "doing the laundry with love" and not the in-fighting on an issue that doesn't really concern me and that I have no control over. Question is, why is it so hard to remember that lesson?!