Christian monasticism

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The Old Testament Prophets like Elijah, were the first monastics if you really want to understand monasticism.

Jim
 
Wow that’s a great answer. I bet the Holy Spirit guided you to say that
God bless you
 
Praying is a work (or fruit) of faith. You can’t (or wouldn’t) pray without faith, but you don’t necessarily need to pray in order to have faith.
 
If I can manage to get my self out of the way enough, every now and then He uses me. Small miracles indeed!
 
Monastics, other than their prayer schedule, spend their day doing some form of work that supports their life. Even completely cloistered orders still do work to earn money. I’ve seen them make altar vestments, clean/iron for local parishes and Catholic groups, make/distribute altar bread, make rosaries, make cards, etc. The brothers and sisters are also available to pray for people who send in prayer requests. These are people who dedicate their lives completely to the work (and yes it is a work every time I’ve lived with them) of prayer and praise. Monastics pray for those who have little time to pray for themselves. In times of trouble, need, or just daily life, when people are running around trying to get things in order, there’s little powerhouses of prayer all over the world supporting the work of the Church’s active orders and the lay people.

The completely cloistered order of Poor Clares that my sister is applying to join distributes altar bread to surrounding parishes. The completely cloistered order of Visitandines that I’m currently in discussion with make altar bread for a different set of parishes. So they do work for their community outside of their cloister walls, it’s just that most people don’t realize that it’s them helping them get their Eucharistic sustenance.
 
Do you not believe in the power of prayer, and especially intercessory prayer? The monks and nuns are constantly praying for the world. That is a not only a “work” but probably the greatest of works.

Also, think about the vast collection of writings we have from various saintly monks and nuns. They not only offer prayers for the world but also leave us with a treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge. On top of this, as has already been mentioned, most live in a community where they work. Have you ever visited a monastery? Every time I go I am put to work, and it’s not easy. Do you think being a monk or nun is easy? I can assure you it is extremely difficult. I thank God for these monasteries that us lay folk can go visit to receive spiritual nourishment. I couldn’t imagine trying to tread a spiritual path without having access to something like that.
 
By all means, monk the crap out of this question. I won’t refuse your kindness if it’s not too much trouble :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:
 
Suffice it to say intelligent answers here have challenged my previous beliefs, but what I meant is that praying, while important, should be accompanied by other actions to help thy neighbor
 
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