Camaldolese Benedictine Spirituality?

[JReducation]

Dear Brother,
If you notice, my name is followed by the initials Erem Dio and only after that do I note that I am also an Oblate with the OSB Camaldolese (Transfiguration Monastery). I am first of all perpetually professed as a diocesan hermit. Camaldolese Benedictines, unlike most Benedictines, accept not only lay persons for oblature, but priests, and consecrated/professed persons as well. They are unusual in this.

For me personally, a connection witht he OSB Camaldolese makes sense precisely because I am a diocesan hermit, and thus, one who needs to combine the solitary life with the community of the parish, and the evangelization that and my own theological background and contemplative life makes natural. The Camaldolese three-fold good along with the Benedictine value of stability combine in the life of the diocesan hermit in a way which I believe allows the unique charism which is part of this life to be fully recognized and realized. Thus my own Rule of Life (every Canon 603 hermit writes one) is subsumed under the Rule of Benedict and the Constitutions and Statutes of the OSB Camaldolese.

By the way, I should have said that the Monte Corona Camaldolese have no STRICTLY cenobitical expression. They see the Laura as a fusion of eremitical and cenobitical life with an accent on solitude. The OSB Camaldolese do, on the other hand, have monasteries as well as hermitages (Lauras).

Best regards,

Thanks. I didn’t know that the OSB Oblates allowed those who have professed another way of life to join them. You’re right. They are different it that regard.

Our Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) only accepts those who are not bound to any other form of life, just like the OSF, OFM and TOR do.

Once again, thanks for the education.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[SRLAUREL]

JR
–are you sure about this?

The best thing would be for interested persons to ask the prior (abbot?) At Big Sur specifically about their observances.

Their website used to be maintained by a former member of the novitiate, not by the order itself, and my impression is that the degree of observance of eremetical life is flexible. They do have retreatants, for ex, which the Carthusians do not. It is odd that they have a house in Berkeley, of all places, if they live a very secluded life.

As an aside, there is a new small group of Camaldolese nuns, Monastery of the Transfiguration in Windsor NY which finally has a website. They are too small to be enclosed, and concentrate on hospitality. Their foundress is a learned OSB scholar. They are rural. For anyone considering contemplative but not enclosed Benedictine life, with emphasis more on the rule than elaborate liturgy, this might just be the place.

www.trasnfigurationmonastery.org

The congregation at Windsor is not so new, but as you say it is quite small. It is a daughter house of the Motherhouse in Rome (St Anthony of Egypt) — which was the house Nazarena the recluse was associated with. Neither is it enclosed but the monastery offers, as Benedictine Camaldolese houses do, options for eremitical and cenobitical life, including a small monastery with hermitages (for both Sisters and guests) on the property. There is a small refectory and meals may be taken there by all. The hermitage in Big Sur does involve enclosure, and most of the property is off-limits to visitors. However, the church is open to all (guests are seated behind the monks).

The house in Berkeley (Incarnation) is set on a hillside next to a park and seems quite secluded and overlooks part of the SF Bay (the chapel shares this view and is lovely). It is open to guests (especially the chapel which has a separate entrance on the lower level so people need not tramp through the house to get there — effectively setting up cloister), but on quiet days or days of recollection, etc, refreshments are served in the main room one storey above. Incarnation is the house of studies for the congregation and is near the Graduate Theological Union. Monks I know say that in some ways it actually allows for more solitude than the hermitage in Big Sur.

 

[tjt3]

I think they might be Carmelites…one of the links to me to a Carmel site

Camaldolese Benedictine monks are an order founded by St. Romuald about 1084 at
Camaldoli Italy and are part of the Benedictine Federation because besides their own
Constitutuons they live by the Rule of St. Benedict. They are a seperate order from the
Monte Corona Camaldolese in Ohio who are not part of the Benedictine Confederation
and have a seperate founder who broke away during some early years of upheaval in the
order. The Order has both cenobites and eremitical that is, community and hermits living
together which differs from the general description of most Benedictine Abbeys or
monasteries where they are almost always living in community. They live in hermitages
which includes solitary huts and answer to a prior who is the same as an abbot. The hermitages are autonomous much the same as Benedictines however they are accountable
to a superior in Camaldoli italy who answers to the Pope.The Hermitage New Camaldoli in Big
Sur Calif. holds retreats and the monks write books and give lectures in and around Calif.
There is a community in Berkely Ca. and a community of Nuns in Ny. Their website is www.
contemplation .com Tom Trotter OblSBCam

 

[Young_Thinker]

Hello, Br. J.R. I was just reading about a particular Benedictine abbey and found that they have an abbot, a prior, and subprior. There are little more than 30 monks, so why is there is need for such a hierarchy. And do you know exactly what a subprior does?

 

[JReducation]

Hello, Br. J.R. I was just reading about a particular Benedictine abbey and found that they have an abbot, a prior, and subprior. There are little more than 30 monks, so why is there is need for such a hierarchy. And do you know exactly what a subprior does?

I don’t understand the Benedictine hierarchy. My guess is that a sub-prior is what we would call the Vicar.

If I were to design a parallel between the large Franciscan obediences and what you’re describing it may be somehing like what you would find at the Provincial house in an large order.

FRANCISCAN

Provincial Minister : governs the entire region

Guardian: governs the house, including the house in which the Minister lives.

Vicar: is second in command within the house

An abbot may govern over several houses, since they don’t have provinces. The Prior and Sub-Prior may govern the local house.

I’m just guessing.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Young_Thinker]

I don’t understand the Benedictine hierarchy. My guess is that a sub-prior is what we would call the Vicar.

If I were to design a parallel between the large Franciscan obediences and what you’re describing it may be somehing like what you would find at the Provincial house in an large order.

FRANCISCAN

Provincial Minister : governs the entire region

Guardian: governs the house, including the house in which the Minister lives.

Vicar: is second in command within the house

An abbot may govern over several houses, since they don’t have provinces. The Prior and Sub-Prior may govern the local house.

I’m just guessing.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I see; thank you for your explanation, Brother. I hope that you have been well lately.

 

[yan_IMAGINE]

**Thank you for this information.

I have explored the transfiguration monastery in Windsor, New-York which has a more elderly group of Benedictine Sisters who have taken this CAMALDOLESE BENEDICTINE SISTERS oath of lifestyle.

This monastery has 1 and 1 ponds on the lawn grounds, and is very peaceful. There is a statue of St. Benedict nearby a simple wooden bridge way, which is unnecessary except for its symbolic purposes for the sisters. It is located just north of the Pennsylvania border and is nestled in-between the watersheds of the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers, which flow through Philadelphia and Harrisburg downstream before joining into one Reserve at the Chesapeake Bay.

I may be described as the lay person, although my meditation is global, connecting information for these sisters at certain times as cosmic intercourse should demand. The peacefullnes of the Abby there is a stabilizing force not only for myself but for the junction of the Catskill & Finger-Lakes, which otherwise would allow the static disarray that is broadcast from the downstate (port) area of this land.

God bless St. Francis and Saint Anthony and Saint Christopher, the Bridge of Life, Guan (Quan/Kwan) Yin and Mother Maray! May Heaven Sanctify your Choice of Servituce.**

 

[SRLAUREL]

Camaldolese Benedictine monks are an order founded by St. Romuald about 1084 at
Camaldoli Italy and are part of the Benedictine Federation because besides their own
Constitutuons they live by the Rule of St. Benedict. They are a seperate order from the
Monte Corona Camaldolese in Ohio who are not part of the Benedictine Confederation
and have a seperate founder who broke away during some early years of upheaval in the
order. The Order has both cenobites and eremitical that is, community and hermits living
together which differs from the general description of most Benedictine Abbeys or
monasteries where they are almost always living in community. They live in hermitages
which includes solitary huts and answer to a prior who is the same as an abbot. The hermitages are autonomous much the same as Benedictines however they are accountable
to a superior in Camaldoli italy who answers to the Pope.The Hermitage New Camaldoli in Big
Sur Calif. holds retreats and the monks write books and give lectures in and around Calif.
There is a community in Berkely Ca. and a community of Nuns in Ny. Their website is www.
contemplation .com Tom Trotter OblSBCam

As a point of information in the OSB Cam, hermits live in lauras with individual hermitages. This aggregation of hermitages is also called a Hermitage so it is important to note the distinction when speaking of hermitages as autonomous. Those who are cenobites live in community dwellings at a separate location. (Thus, in Italy, for instance, the monastery (cenobitical monks) is located several miles from the Hermitage — again, a laura of individual hermitages.)

The Er Cam or Monte Corona Camaldolese differ from the OSB Cam, and do not have a cenobitical expression at all. They count Paul Giustiniani as their founder ---- along with St Romuald of course.

The Camaldolese congregation of women have mainly lived in community in the past, but over the past several years are building hermitages on the property allowing for greater solitude.

 

[ATeutonicKnight]

This is not accurate.

While the Basilian rule is used, it is usually modified by each monastery. A monastery in the East falls under the jurisdiction of the local bishop and he has the power to approve their rule.

There are Byzantine Franciscans who follow the Franciscan rule and are affiliated with the Assumption of the BVM province of the OFM.

There used to be a group of Byzantine Benedictines but becasue their number fell below what a Benedictine monastery must have to remain an independent monastry they have become a fully Byzantine monastery (meaning they now fall under the jurisdiction of the local bishop, in this case Metropolitian Basil, OFM (he is one of those Byzantine Franciscans) of Pittsburg). From what I can tell they still follow the traditions of the Benedictines.

I believe this is the bickering that holy and wise Camaldolese Monk was referrIng to.

 

[Gotigermonk]

These are not Benedictines. They sound like a new community that is just getting off the ground. No pun intended, since they are called Tower Hermits.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

The Stylites are older than the Camaldolese and the Benedictines.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stylite
Simeon Stylites the Elder who climbed a pillar in Syria in 423
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Saint_Benedict#Famous_Benedictines
The monastery at Subiaco in Italy, established by Saint Benedict of Nursia circa 529,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camaldolese
The Camaldolese were established through the efforts of the Italian monk Saint Romuald[1] (ca. 950– ca. 1025/27).

 

[Cloisters]

The Stylites are older than the Camaldolese and the Benedictines.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stylite
Simeon Stylites the Elder who climbed a pillar in Syria in 423
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Saint_Benedict#Famous_Benedictines
The monastery at Subiaco in Italy, established by Saint Benedict of Nursia circa 529,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camaldolese
The Camaldolese were established through the efforts of the Italian monk Saint Romuald[1] (ca. 950– ca. 1025/27).

Rather surprised to see our proposed Tower Hermits mentioned.

The Cloister Outreach Affiliated New Foundations (CONF) has three emerging charisms: the Gilbertine Renewal (laity and seed vocation); the Stella Maris Contemplatives (Cloisterite hermits; seed vocation cenobites; and laity); and the Congregation of Charity of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (CCMM–emerging society of apostolic life with laity).

The remaining proposed – and some emerging – charisms were bundled under the CCMM, and the Tower Hermits are now Congregational Recluses under the Social (Services) Division. The divisions are Medical, Educational, Social, Prisons, and Combo (the first three together).

This way, everyone starts as a CAMM (the lay associates), then takes Seton Seminary training. Vows are made yearly, enabling those who attract followers to leave to lead the new community. Vincentianism is a WAY, and persons can follow the spirituality that takes them to God.

As an aside, I thought I heard a rumor that JREducation died.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[jeannetherese]

Rather surprised to see our proposed Tower Hermits mentioned.

The Cloister Outreach Affiliated New Foundations (CONF) has three emerging charisms: the Gilbertine Renewal (laity and seed vocation); the Stella Maris Contemplatives (Cloisterite hermits; seed vocation cenobites; and laity); and the Congregation of Charity of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (CCMM–emerging society of apostolic life with laity).

The remaining proposed – and some emerging – charisms were bundled under the CCMM, and the Tower Hermits are now Congregational Recluses under the Social (Services) Division. The divisions are Medical, Educational, Social, Prisons, and Combo (the first three together).

This way, everyone starts as a CAMM (the lay associates), then takes Seton Seminary training. Vows are made yearly, enabling those who attract followers to leave to lead the new community. Vincentianism is a WAY, and persons can follow the spirituality that takes them to God.

As an aside, I thought I heard a rumor that JREducation died.

Blessings,
Cloisters

Hi Cloisters,
I hope this information is more recent than the rumor that you heard.
It is a post from Brother, describing his visit to Philadelphia.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=866886&page=40
Look for Post 591 which was posted in late November.
May God bless you and may he bless BrotherJR.
Back to Camaldolese Benedictine Spirituality. My apoligies for pulling the thread off topic for a moment-Brother is so loved in our forum that I thought a pm might be less helpful than having his November message linked here for others who would be looking for information based on your post. If your information is more recent, would you let us know? Thanks so much.
jt

 

[Cloisters]

Hi Cloisters,
I hope this information is more recent than the rumor that you heard.
It is a post from Brother, describing his visit to Philadelphia.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=866886&page=40
Look for Post 591 which was posted in late November.
May God bless you and may he bless BrotherJR.
Back to Camaldolese Benedictine Spirituality. My apoligies for pulling the thread off topic for a moment-Brother is so loved in our forum that I thought a pm might be less helpful than having his November message linked here for others who would be looking for information based on your post. If your information is more recent, would you let us know? Thanks so much.
jt

Thanks for the link. That was quite helpful. I had actually seen somewhere – perhaps even an Institute on Religious Life website or publication – that the founder of the Franciscan Brothers for Life in Florida had passed. My understanding was that JREducation was that founder. I’m very relieved to see that it wasn’t him!

Yes, back to Camaldolese Benedictine spirituality.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[Cloisters]

Pardon another slight hi-jack. The CCMM has another division – Sacerdotal.

Blessings,
Cloisters

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

**

I need to take exception to a number of things Br JR has said about the Camaldolese Benedictines. The main difference between Benedictines and Camaldolese Benedictine is that the latter combines eremitical with cenobitical life. Benedictinism is primarily about cenobitical life and the Rule of benedict is about life in community, not eremitical life. OSB Cam’s embrace a threefold good which includes solitude (eremiticsm), koinonia (cenobitism), and evangelization (or martyrdom).

The Camaldolese Benedictines do NOT avoid all contact with the laity. Far from it. Hospitality is offered at all three Camaldolese houses in the US, along with retreats, quiet days, workshops, etc. Visitors to any of the three OSB Cam houses are welcome to participate in the Liturgy of Hours and Eucharist, and at Transfiguration Monastery (nuns), visitors eat in the refectory with the nuns. This is not to say that every member of the community has the same degree of contact as every other, but it is not generally true that Camaldolese avoid contact with the laity. This is simply a dimension of the third good in the three-fold charism of the OSB Cams and it is a vital reality which includes a dynamic Oblate program (over 600 oblates with Big Sur/Incarnation, and perhaps 65 with Transfiguration).

As far as being separated from the world to a greater extent than most, that is true, but the notion that Camaldolese are not informed about or involved in greater church and world concerns is simply mistaken. They maintain cloister, and they live in individual hermitages (or monasteries), but they participate in interreligious dialogues, online lists for monastic and Camaldolese life, they are concerned with the well-being of the planet and participate in processes and programs which reflect this, etc.

Liturgy in the OSB Camaldolese life is mainly in English. Their own Office book is available for use by non-monks and nuns, and is beautifully done — in English. There is Latin used as well, but it is the exception, not the rule.

Priesthood, according to the Constitutions and Statutes of the OSB Cam is understood as a distinct charism from that of monk, but ordination is open to any monk who requests it so long as the competent authority recognizes he possesses the qualifications necessary for a priest (166). A monk may begin his studies after the first three years post-novitiate formation.

Camaldolese Benedictines do not have abbotts or abessess. They have priors, prioresses, and prior(ess) generals.

Poverty and asceticism in Camaldolese life is guided by the Rule of Benedict. Individuals have what they need for their work and ministry (musical instruments, art supplies, computers, etc.) They manifest simplicity and poverty in their cells, in what they wear (and are not limited to habits), etc. They ask for permission for whatever they receive, but they do have personal effects and may take these with them when transferring from one community to another, for instance. (Taking anything else requires permission.)

The Camaldolese of Monte Corona in Ohio and the Camaldolese Benedictines are different congregations with (to some extent) different “founders”. The former (consisting of a Laura of hermits ONLY, no cenobitical component) trace their roots to Paul Giustiniani, a 16th C reformer of the Romualdian Camaldolese. Both are rooted in the Rule of Benedict, but the Monte Corona reference Paul Guiustinian’s Rule more extensively in their constitutions.

Sincerely,
Sister Laurel O’Neal, erem dio
(Oblate, OSB Camaldolese, Transfiguration Monastery)

Thanks very much for this. I realize that I am a tad late responding.