Monasticism

Monastics and Oblates can find helpful information here. Oblates are people who want to live the Rule of St. Benedict while living in the secular world.

From the February retreat, Fr. Bundy led the retreat at St. Augustine Orthodox Church. Father said that people who are thinking about being an Oblate should talk with their pastor for spiritual guidance. Oblates called to be obedient to their pastor and their sponsoring monastery. The Benedictine Fellowship of St. Laurence is in full communion with the Christminster , a Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia monastery that follows St. Benedict.

An Oblate's number one task is to pray. Some people may be hard to pray the 7 times described in the Rule of St. Benedict (see the Office tab). These people may combine some hours into morning and evening prayers. Oblates are expected keep in touch with their sponsoring abbot gather in communities (such as our monthly retreats), making a pilgrimage to your sponsoring monastery, behave in Christian way, and work on constantly feeling God's presence.

Read the NEW! April letter, January letter from Dom James the Abbott of Christminster, Christ the Savior Monastery.

Read the January retreat summary at Saint Mark's Parish

THE EVERYDAY: Benedictine Life at Mount Saviour - a movie on DVD that received two New York Emmy Awards in April 2007. It is about Benedictine monks in Mount Saviour Monastery. located in upstate New York. - available at Monastery Greetings
SEEKING GOD: The Way of the Monk - a movie on DVD on Benedictine monks at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in New Mexico - available at Monastery Greetings
Various books on Benedictine life from the Monastic Greetings
The Development of Monasticism: From Priot to Anthony the Great to Benedict of Nursia by Dcn. George Zgourides
Philip Gröning's documentary Into Great Silence follows monastic life in the Order of the Carthusians
Monasticism A Beginner's Account is an article about some of Sister Sophia
Monasticism by Bishop Hilarion (Alfeyev) from The Mystery of Faith
The Learning Channel (TLC) aired The Monastery. It was a show where five men spent 40 days and nights in at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert, which is a Benedictine monastery in New Mexico. Here is a typical day at the monastery.