Feedback on a Research Thesis

[sgrima]

Hello Everyone, Thank you for taking the time to read this. I am currently seeking some outside opinion/research data for a book I am working on. I would like you to consider then respond to the following of my thesis.

Some Background information: Currently I am a sailor in the US Merchant Marine fleet. After reading a book about monastic lifestyles I found many, many similarities to life aboard a ship and life in a monastic setting (monastery/convent) Now granted life on vessel is based around commercial enterprise where as monastic life is based around contemplative living and serving the Lord. However, I have been “called” to research thesis similarities with the hope of spreading the message to Catholic sailors to live more contemplative lives while aboard vessels (rather than other activities sailors are known for).

The fact of a ship bringing many different people together and living in a confined space while conducting common goals of work and other activities is very similar to a monastery in my opinion. The difference being that on a ship many of the people come from a variety of different religious and even moral or ethical backgrounds. So it would seem that the process of describing a ship as a floating monastery is not an accurate statement. However, there are ways (especially now with the advent of better technology) to connect with the spirit better than most ever would, while at sea.

In my own personal experience I find that I tend to follow the Rule of St. Benedict almost by default when I ship out. Since I pray all seven parts of the Liturgy of the Hours daily, try my best to watch daily mass on the internet or satellite TV, spend some time in quite prayer, and the work element of my day which I see as making an effort to better the ship and the company (even though they are profit driven). This is just a short summary about my ideas there is quite a bit more to it.

Now I have discussed my ideas with a few friends (one of which is studying to be a priest) and they all do not “see” the spiritual value in my thesis (basically they think I am crazy). I am asking you (the reader) to provide feedback on the idea or offer insight into yourself. Do you see any value in this idea or do you see it as something that should be thrown over the side? (of course outside the territorial waters of the US <= maritime humor)

 

[littlecatholic]

I have heard that you can actually take vows as a kind of third order Bendictine in these cases. This sounds like it could be something God is trying to tell you. I think it would be great to see a sailor who recognizes a connection between life at sea and the rule bridge the gap between the two. Pray and work

littlecatholic

 

[NHInsider]

I think it’s a great idea, with the potential to strengthen the faith of many!

If people, even people of faith, think you’re crazy, you’re in good company! (Mark 3:21)

 

[Newbie2]

Interesting idea.

It might be worthwhile to maybe contact a Professor at a Catholic Seminary to get additional feedback.

 

[CentralFLJames]

I think most monastic orders are of the mendacant variety rather than the hermit or eremitic variety. Mendacants are under an oath of poverty and gain sustenance or income from preaching or selling some religious articles or services etc.

The Rule of St. Benedict Chapter defines four kinds of monks: (1) Cenobites, those “in a monastery, where they serve under a rule and an abbot”; (2) **Anchorites, or hermits, who, after long successful training in a monastery, are now coping single-handedly, with only God for their help; **(3) Sarabaites, living by twos and threes together or even alone, with no experience, rule and superior, and thus a law unto themselves; and (4) Gyrovagues, wandering from one monastery to another, slaves to their own wills and appetites. It is for the first of these kinds of monks, the cenobites, as the “strongest kind” (fortissimum genus; arguably “numerically stronger”, cf. Fry, RB 1980, p. 171), that the Rule is written.

Most monastic orders that I am familiar with have a notion of “community” in addition to individual contemplative prayer life. Carmelites who have a cloistered reputation are actually very community oriented when outside of their personal cells (where much contemplative prayer is performed) and consider it critical to come all together for Lectio Divina (scripture reading 3 rounds of readings per person with an announcement of an inspired thought shared with the group and group contemplated each round) Lectio Divina can be an amazing experience to see the Holy Spirit use the group to paint a spiritual picture that can have prophetic insight and pull out deeper spiritual senses of scripture across a wide range of spirital maturities within the group.

The ship in the complete metaphor is more like the Barque of Peter (a boat) - the Church seen as new Noah’s Ark protecting the elect from the flood and delivering it under the steerage of Peter to the Promises Land. Within the ship there are certainly compartments than can be grouped according to specialized spirituality disciplines just as The Catholic Church does with its monastic religious orders. The analogy breaks down of course in a maritime context where you are living side by side with very secular if not hedonistic persons. I think you will need to consider more of a hermit model frankly or a virtual monastic society informally linked to a common gathering place at certain hours (hopefully all on the same watch shift).

Good Luck,
James

 

[FCEGM]

. . .

Now I have discussed my ideas with a few friends (one of which is studying to be a priest) and they all do not “see” the spiritual value in my thesis (basically they think I am crazy). I am asking you (the reader) to provide feedback on the idea or offer insight into yourself. Do you see any value in this idea or do you see it as something that should be thrown over the side? (of course outside the territorial waters of the US <= maritime humor)

I think you’ve hit on something and should pursue this with the friends who do see the value. You might consider investigating the Oblates of St. Benedict since the Oblates are living in the world (or aboard ship ) yet affiliated with a given monastery:

osb.org/obl/

 

[CentralFLJames]

It sounds like what you want is a Consecrated Life that has orthodox recognition within The Church. You can “do your own thing” so to speak. Code of Canon Law, 1983, also makes a provision for the Apostolic See approving new forms of consecrated life (cf. canon 605). – The parallel canon in the CCEO (Code of Canons for the Eastern Churches ) is canon 571. So you might be able to develop your own rule of order for merchant marines and get it approved and recognized. I’d develop it off an existing rule of order - look at each of the religious orders and take inspiration over the rules they follow (e.g. Rule of St Basil, the Rule of St Benedict, Augustinian Rule, Carmelite Rule of St. Albert etc.). You can google each of these and get ideas and then innovate.

Wow - I could be talking to the founder of a new religious order here. “The Order of Holy Life Preservers” seems apropos .

James