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Let's Talk Benedictines?


Gabriela

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Fr. Antony Maria OSB

I don't know why there isn't much talk of Benedictines on here much. Granted, I'm not on here much so I wouldn't know either way except when a thread like this pops up and I happen to see it (like today!). I'm a Benedicine novice currently, so yes, I do love the Benedictine life! (and I do have access to the internet: I'm not breaking rules by coming on here). However, it is time for me to go to bed, haha! Just thought I'd let you all know that there are 5 novices in my class, so the Benedictines aren't going anywhere, we're coming back.

God bless!

Nov. Joe

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[quote name='EmilyAnn' timestamp='1353316907' post='2512868']
Benedictines are amesome. Have you tried reading the Rule?
[/quote]

I downloaded it last night. I'm getting there... :-)

I am very drawn to their charism of hospitality. And chant.

Edited by curiousing
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Are there any Benedictine sisters on PM? I'd really like to talk to some. I interviewed four orders for my thesis research, but none of them was Benedictine, and then, boom, I suddenly feel called to Benedictine life... Really wish I knew some!

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PhuturePriest

Benedictines are great. They are my favorite Monastic Order (Though this sometimes changes to Carmelites, for indeed Carmelites are a Monastic Order, both male and female).

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[quote]
[size=5][sub]I have tried reading the rule again. this time with thoughts from [u][b]Joan Chittister. [/b][/u]She is very insightful in the rule and I have gotten a lot more out of the readings though it had taken me almost three times as long to get through it![/sub][/size]
[/quote]

[size=5][sub]I am going to assume you must have absolutely NO idea who this woman is! Do NOT read anymore from this woman! Please....do some research and find out who she is in (she's an extreme feminist and advocates for women priests!) If you want insight into the Rule of St. of Benedict get a "traditional" commentary. Barring that read the commentary from the Prior at Christ in the Desert in New Mexico. [url="http://christdesert.org/Saint_Benedict/Study_the_Holy_Rule_of_St__Benedict/index.html"]http://christdesert.org/Saint_Benedict/Study_the_Holy_Rule_of_St__Benedict/index.html[/url][/sub][/size]

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I'm going to scream here .......DO NOT READ ANYTHING BEFORE FULLY VETTING THE AUTHOR! Sadly, there are many Sisters and others who appear to be speaking for (or at least seem to be) Holy Mother Church. But something is always "off." Just because one looks like a duck, walks, like a duck, and sounds like a duck doesn't necessarily mean they are a duck! Do your due diligence BEFORE picking up a book to read.
Thank you
I will now get off my soapbox

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I can't speak to the work itself (which may have its merits.... Thomas used Aristotle after all) but Sr. Joan Chittister has been quite public in her dissent on many levels. When the Holy Father asked her not to attend the summit on women's ordination she refused. Some background that you can read for yourselves:

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2012/08/lcwrs-sr-chittister-evolving-view-of-being-a-woman-religious/

http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=575

http://wdtprs.com/blog/tag/sr-joan-chittister/

http://newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/sister-joan-chittister-sister-simone-campbell-respond-to-vatican-action-against-u-s-nuns/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/vatican-crackdown-on-us_n_1441344.html

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SuscipeMeDomine

I know people are cautious about Joan Chittister, but her commentary on the Rule has a good reputation.

There's a daily commentary you can sign up for at http://www.stmarysmonastery.org/holy_rule_reflections.html

I especially like it because it makes the Rule "real" for Oblates -- how do you live the Rule out in the world?

Edited by SuscipeMeDomine
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Good reputation with whom? :smile4:

... all kidding aside, that was why I mentioned that the work could have merits while understanding that the author is clearly not in line with the Church.

I will need to read her commentary now to form an opinion. :bible:


I wonder if "caution" is perhaps too "cautious" of a word in this regard when it comes to those who clearly have a different Theology going on and yet purport to be advancing truly Catholic doctrine? I would imagine her philosophy would also "color" her interpretation? Things to think about when reading...

.... many other good books out there as well I might add. :)

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Fr Terrance Kardong and Fr Adalbert de Vogue also have good commentaries on te Holy Rule. Fr Kardong gave a series of lectures one week while I was at Christ in the Desert.

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InPersonaChriste

I was told it was good from the lady at the book store and from what I have read it isn't feminist at all. I spent good money on this book and I am a student.. so Maybe I will just read the rule inside it and not read her comments on Saint. Benedicts translation.. I am not burning this book, and if she is really that bad I cannot give it away...


You make me feel like a bad Catholic for not doing my research.......

:cry:

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SuscipeMeDomine

[quote name='mantellata' timestamp='1353439912' post='2513799']
Good reputation with whom? :smile4:[/quote]

Her book was recommended to me by a couple of monks who seemed both holy and knowledgeable. I was surprised by the first recommendation and said that I wasn't a fan of hers. He said that neither was he, but he thought her commentary was good. And then I heard the same thing from a different monk at a different time.

Any author develops a reputation but whether it's good or bad, the person may surprise you from time to time. I guess it depends on whether you want to invest the time to find out if the book is worthwhile or not.

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InPersonaChriste,
I apologize for my curt response. I certainly did not mean to make you feel like a bad Catholic (I've got a monopoly on that by way ;) ) Joan Chittister just irritates me to no end. She burns me to a crisp! So no, you are not a bad Catholic for not doing research. Unfortunately, however, today we cannot walk into a book store or even a Catholic book store and be guaranteed that what is on the shelf is truly Catholic.

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[quote name='Staretz' timestamp='1353380397' post='2513393']
There's me too. I am back from St. Mary's and currently staying with an aunt and uncle/ My fault it didn't work out. I will be visiting Holy Cross in Chicago in early December for a few days. If things work out I will probably enter there in early January. In the meantime I live as a hermit and try to find some volunteer work I can do. There is a retreat center in town that i offered my services to and they might get me to redo their website. all my worldly possessions fit in two suitcases and a carry on bag. I have asked God for one last chance to test my vocation and it seems that God has granted that. So we will see what happens.
[/quote]

Staretz, it's good to hear from you again. I've often thought of you since you transferred to a different monastery.

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