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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
No problem, amico mio.
If you have a smart phone, there is an awesome Divine Mercy app.
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If you have a smart phone, there is an awesome Divine Mercy app.
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jwinch2
Guest
Can’t help. I am a rank beginner myself and am just now starting to try to learn. The book I linked in the other thread from Michael Casey, OSCO on the subject is supposed to be good so that might be worth a look.
Peace,
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
The first time I went on a retreat at a Benedictine monastery I felt like I was home. “Peace” was not just a motto but a way of life.May I ask what is the biggest “draw(s)” of the Benedictine life for you? I can sense the Rule, obviously.
I initially went there because I was looking for a place to make a private retreat where there would be Mass available and where they (whoever “they” were) would pray the Liturgy of the Hours and let me join in. A friend of mine suggested the monastery and I went. It was wonderful!
From that beginning I started to learn more about the Benedictine way of life. When I first encountered lectio divina there was a sense of “wow, where has this been all my life?” Then I began to learn about the Rule and fell in love with it. One of the things that I like is that it is never ending. There’s always something more that I’m being called to so that I can be a better Benedictine, better Christian, and better person.
Part of what I like is that this is a way of life that can be lived in the world as well as in the monastery. When Benedict talks about how monks should treat each other, it also carries over to how I treat people at work or at the supermarket or on the freeway. Praying the Liturgy of the Hours gives a structure to my day and the Rule gives a structure to my life.
I hope that makes some kind of sense.
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
It does. Thank you
Any chance that you might post a few sentences on how you “do” Lectio Divina-Contemplatio? I get nothing when I do it.
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Tampa_Dave
Guest
Speaking of recitation … I embarrassed myself while watching the Green Lantern movie. When he recited the oath to the lantern, I still remembered the exact words from my youth and recited them along with the Green Lantern. Can you imagine? The trivia we accumulate in our memory banks over the years is amazing.
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
Hahahaha
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
One of the words I would use to describe lectio is “gentle.” It’s such a gentle, loving form of prayer. You love God and God loves you enough to want to speak to you. Don’t force it. Just be open to the Spirit.
Start with a short piece of Scripture. I usually read it through once to see what it is generally about. Then I read it a few times slowly. I may read it out loud. I usually find that a word or phrase is starting to stand out. Hmmm…take it in… I once heard someone describe lectio as being like getting into a hot tub with Scripture. So get comfortable with it, get down into that nice, warm, relaxing water. Just absorb the warmth and comfort of the words.
And once you’ve absorbed them and are relaxed and comfortable with them, talk with God about them. Why are these words standing out to you? Is there something here you could be asking forgiveness for? Or maybe something to be thankful for? Something you need more of in your life or something you have too much of? Just stay in that warm water with your loving God and see where it leads. Relaxed and open. Listening.
And finally, in that relaxed and loving environment, you no longer need words. You are with your Beloved, resting in each other’s company. You are wrapped in love and responding to that love with love. You get a glimpse of heaven.
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
WOW! I promise that I will try it. I am printing this post out for future reference. THANK YOU!
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
Well, the good Lord does indeed work in mysterious ways.
Some sad news. I have been attempting to contact the fraternity for over a week, as you know. I have found out, through someone close to the area, that the fraternity is down to 2 regular members (sometimes 3) and seems to be in the process of disbanding. Even if I returned it would mean only 3/4 regular members, which wouldn’t be enough to save it (you need 5 regular members). I can’t say for sure, but the parish there is very liberal, and maybe there just aren’t that many liberals left. (I am not liberal, religiously or politically in any way, BTW).So that door is closed.
I have found out that the fraternity that is close to me is Spanish. Nothing wrong with that, obviously. Except that I can understand only a little, and can’t speak Spanish a lick.
I am saddened, obviously.
However, I feel that the good Lord is pointing the way to the Benedictines, with whom I have much, maybe even more, in common. That is good, even great news. Family history with the order, etc.So there ya go. The only “drawback” is the charismatic stuff (for me), but that is minor.
Bennies it is.
No, really.
Some sad news. I have been attempting to contact the fraternity for over a week, as you know. I have found out, through someone close to the area, that the fraternity is down to 2 regular members (sometimes 3) and seems to be in the process of disbanding. Even if I returned it would mean only 3/4 regular members, which wouldn’t be enough to save it (you need 5 regular members). I can’t say for sure, but the parish there is very liberal, and maybe there just aren’t that many liberals left. (I am not liberal, religiously or politically in any way, BTW).So that door is closed.
I have found out that the fraternity that is close to me is Spanish. Nothing wrong with that, obviously. Except that I can understand only a little, and can’t speak Spanish a lick.
I am saddened, obviously.However, I feel that the good Lord is pointing the way to the Benedictines, with whom I have much, maybe even more, in common. That is good, even great news. Family history with the order, etc.So there ya go. The only “drawback” is the charismatic stuff (for me), but that is minor.
Bennies it is.
No, really.
M
Marauder
Guest
Sorry to hear about all the issues you are having. It is always hard to tell if God is just giving us obstacles to overcome or pointing us in a new way. You need to pray a lot about this and determine if the path changes you are taking are your will or God’s will.
Good luck in your continued discernment.
Pax et bonum,
Jim
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Luigi_Daniele
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
Luigi, if the problem with the monastery is that it is charismatic, then perhaps it would be worth checking other monasteries.
Looking at the OSB atlas (at osb.org) these are other monasteries in California with oblate programs:
Big Sur, monks, Priory • Camaldolese Congregation [Oblates: http://www.contemplation.com/our-community/camaldolese-oblates.html]
Grand Terrace, sisters, Priory • Saint Gertrude Federation [Oblates: http://www.holyspiritmonastery.org/oblates.html]
Oceanside, monks, Abbey • Swiss American Congregation [Oblates: Prince of Peace Abbey]
Valyermo, monks, Abbey • Annunciation Congregation [Oblates: http://www.saintandrewsabbey.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=2]
They’re all at a distance from San Luis Obispo so maybe they’re not really possibilities. Or…maybe they are.
Looking at the OSB atlas (at osb.org) these are other monasteries in California with oblate programs:
Big Sur, monks, Priory • Camaldolese Congregation [Oblates: http://www.contemplation.com/our-community/camaldolese-oblates.html]
Grand Terrace, sisters, Priory • Saint Gertrude Federation [Oblates: http://www.holyspiritmonastery.org/oblates.html]
Oceanside, monks, Abbey • Swiss American Congregation [Oblates: Prince of Peace Abbey]
Valyermo, monks, Abbey • Annunciation Congregation [Oblates: http://www.saintandrewsabbey.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=2]
They’re all at a distance from San Luis Obispo so maybe they’re not really possibilities. Or…maybe they are.
J
jwinch2
Guest
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Tampa_Dave
Guest
Luigi,
Sorry to hear about the Franciscans. Bummer. You’ve always expressed great sentiments about the Benedictines, so I think you have another path readily available.
By the way, you may have noticed I always call you Luigi versus Lou. Habit, I guess. I grew up in an Italian-American neighborhood and parish, so the name Luigi was quite common. I had two friends I hung around with - Patsy and Luigi DeCarlo - so your screen names brings back good memories from younger days at St. Mary’s. I miss the old neighborhood. But not the whippings by the nuns!
Sorry to hear about the Franciscans. Bummer. You’ve always expressed great sentiments about the Benedictines, so I think you have another path readily available.
By the way, you may have noticed I always call you Luigi versus Lou. Habit, I guess. I grew up in an Italian-American neighborhood and parish, so the name Luigi was quite common. I had two friends I hung around with - Patsy and Luigi DeCarlo - so your screen names brings back good memories from younger days at St. Mary’s. I miss the old neighborhood. But not the whippings by the nuns!
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
Grand Terrace, sisters, Priory • Saint Gertrude Federation [Oblates: http://www.holyspiritmonastery.org/oblates.html]
Oceanside, monks, Abbey • Swiss American Congregation [Oblates: Prince of Peace Abbey]
Valyermo, monks, Abbey • Annunciation Congregation [Oblates: http://www.saintandrewsabbey.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=2]
They’re all at a distance from San Luis Obispo so maybe they’re not really possibilities. Or…maybe they are.
I am actually from the central valley. Those are all at least 2 hours (many are 5 and 6 hours) away.
The charismatic stuff doesn’t really bother me all that much, TBH. It is a very small part of meetings. It’s not my thing, but these people are all very holy (much holier than me), so I can “live” with it.
Thanks for the info, though:thumbsup:
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SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
It’s a couple of hours for me to get to the monastery as well. I wish it were closer! I would love to be able to decide that I feel like joining the monks for vespers this evening without having to plan it in advance. Oh well, I guess I would get spoiled if they were right in the neighborhood.
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
I am, fratello. The draw of the Frannies was mainly that I knew the people better there. There is very little friar involvement.The Bennies are actually a better fit. I love the LotH. I love the call to humilty and hospitality. I really, really love ORA et LABORA. I think that our spiritual director (an 82 year old monk who drives 4 hrs both ways to be with us at least twice yearly) is a saint. I will be happy there.
Whatever works for you brother. As long as you are happy.
Peace,
I think that the biggest draw of the Frannies was that I was with them for over 10 years, and did not want to think that I “wasted” that time. I have finally come to realize that it is where God wanted me to be, to learn some things, before I was ready for the Bennies.I think that is why he shut the door to that route.
And I did learn, so it was in no way wasted time.
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
I love hearing the bells.
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
Yeah, I was born when it wasn’t cool to have Italian sounding names, so I was named Louis. Always wish it had been Luigi. sigh
Luigi Daniele is what all my Italian relatives over there call me, though. Now I just have to figure out how to get back there as a family of 6.
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