Grace Thompson
Living like a Catholic monk involves a commitment to community, prayer, and contemplation. It is a life of service, joy, and silence, where monks support one another and celebrate their faith together. The monastic life is a journey undertaken with others, requiring submission to a superior, such as an abbot. It demands a deep spiritual connection with God and a willingness to surrender to His will. Monks strive for holiness, witnessing to God's priority in their lives and drawing closer to Him through prayer and contemplation. This life is not without its challenges, requiring robust physical and mental health, humility, and a dedication to serving others.
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Embrace humility
To live like a Catholic monk, one must embrace humility. The Rule of St. Benedict, which serves as a guide for monastic life, emphasizes the importance of humility in numerous passages. St. Benedict depicts humility as a ladder with twelve rungs, which a monk must climb.
The first step, according to St. Benedict, is to keep the "fear of God" always in mind. This sense of awe helps maintain a right relationship with God, reminding oneself that we are creatures, not God. Humility is a virtue that requires cultivation and should be reflected in one's prayers, work, and daily life. It entails being down-to-earth, honest, and truthful.
St. Benedict instructs monks to place their hope in God alone. If you recognize something good within yourself, attribute it to God, but also take responsibility for your shortcomings. Being humble means being grateful for the blessings and opportunities God provides and acknowledging that your gifts and talents originate from Him.
Monks are expected to live a life of simplicity, generosity, and joy, supporting and encouraging one another through difficulties and celebrating each other's joys. This sense of community is essential, fostering deep connections and communion with like-minded individuals who share a commitment to prayer and service.
Living like a monk requires a willingness to submit to God's will, even when it differs from your desires. This submission is a hallmark of religious life, and monks strive to embrace it fully and lovingly. By doing so, they draw closer to God and bring the world closer to Him as well.
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Pray often
Prayer is a central pillar of monastic life. Monks pray often, aiming to pray without ceasing. The Rule of St Benedict instructs that "prayer should [...] be short and pure, unless perhaps it is prolonged under the inspiration of divine grace" (RB 20:4). This is comforting for those with busy lives who may not be able to dedicate large periods to prayer.
Monks typically pray in the morning and evening, praising God and giving thanks. They may pray the Liturgy of the Hours to sanctify the day, being faithful to Morning and Evening Prayer. Monks also offer brief prayers of trust in God throughout the day.
When praying, monks aim to develop a heartfelt attitude to God, offering themselves and their loved ones into God's care. This attitude of humility involves being down-to-earth, honest, and truthful in prayer, as well as in everyday matters. St Benedict wrote, "Place your hope in God alone. If you notice something good in yourself, give credit to God, not to yourself, but be certain that the evil you commit is always your own and yours to acknowledge" (RB 4:41-43).
Living like a monk involves a contemplative life, witnessing to the absolute priority of God above all else. This life of contemplation is a foretaste of eternity with God in heaven. As a monk grows closer to God, they bring God closer to the world and the world closer to God.
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Live contemplatively
Living contemplatively is a key aspect of monastic life. A monk's life is dedicated to God, and contemplation of God is the highest form of life a Christian can live. This "angelic life" involves prayer, silence, work, and contemplation, all while holding the deep needs of the world in one's heart.
To live contemplatively, one must surrender to God and follow Him in His mission for the salvation of mankind. This means imitating Christ and striving to draw the world closer to God. Monks achieve this through prayer and service to their brothers, giving witness to God's love for mankind.
Prayer is a central practice for monks, and it is recommended to pray in the morning and evening, sanctifying the day with the Liturgy of the Hours. However, St. Benedict advised that prayer should be short and pure unless inspired by divine grace. This is to accommodate those with busy lives who may not have much time to devote to prayer. The aim is to develop a heartfelt attitude towards God and to offer oneself and one's loved ones into God's care.
In addition to prayer, monks also engage in work and service. They support and encourage one another, celebrating each other's joys and providing support during difficult times. This sense of community is essential to monastic life, fostering deep belonging and communion among the monks. They show "the pure love of brothers," as instructed by St. Benedict, and engage in meaningful conversations that go beyond superficial topics.
Living contemplatively, therefore, involves a balance of prayer, service, and community, all directed towards growing closer to God and fulfilling His mission in the world.
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Foster community
Community is a significant aspect of monastic life. To foster community, one must first be willing to invest time and energy in engaging with others personally and showing interest in their lives. This involves moving beyond superficial topics and delving into more profound and meaningful areas of conversation. It is about developing authentic connections and celebrating each other's joys while supporting one another during difficult times.
St. Benedict's instruction encapsulates this idea: "No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks, they show the pure love of brothers" (RB 72:7-8). This sense of brotherhood and selflessness is a cornerstone of fostering community. It is about placing the well-being of others on par with, if not above, one's own.
In a world where individualism, social media, and superficial relationships can dominate, creating a deep sense of belonging and communion with others can be challenging. However, by seeking out like-minded individuals who share your faith, values, and spiritual aspirations, you can begin to build a supportive community. This could mean connecting with others in a religious context, such as through a church group, or finding community outside of formal religious structures by participating in volunteer work, joining spiritual retreats, or engaging in charitable activities that align with your values.
Fostering community also involves embracing humility, as highlighted in the Rule of St. Benedict. Humility is depicted as a ladder with twelve rungs, symbolizing the monk's journey towards a right relationship with God and others (RB 7:10). Being humble means recognizing your talents and blessings as gifts from God and using them in service to others. It entails being down-to-earth, honest, and truthful in your interactions, both within your community and beyond.
Lastly, living in community often involves a degree of submission to a superior, such as an abbot in a monastic context. This submission is rooted in obedience to God and the recognition that our individual choices are part of a larger tapestry of relationships and connections. By embracing this mindset, you can foster a sense of unity and shared purpose within your community.
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Obey and convert
To live like a Catholic monk, one must obey and convert. This involves submitting to the will of God and embracing the monastic way of life.
Obedience is a cornerstone of monastic life. In the Benedictine tradition, monks take vows of obedience, stability, and conversion of life. They submit to the authority of the Abbot, who guides them on their spiritual journey. This submission is an act of trust in God's plan, even when it diverges from personal desires. Monks strive to fulfil God's will by serving their brothers and witnessing God's love to the world.
Conversion to the monastic way of life entails a radical surrender to God and His mission. Monks leave behind worldly possessions and attachments to follow Christ. They embrace a life of silence, prayer, work, and contemplation. This contemplative life, or "angelic life", is a foretaste of heaven, where monks draw closer to God and bring the world closer to Him.
Living like a monk requires a deep commitment to obedience and conversion. It involves a constant thrust towards the will of God, even in life's challenges. This obedience is reflected in the structure of monastic life, with its emphasis on prayer, work, and community.
Monks obey God by following a disciplined routine of prayer, such as the Liturgy of the Hours, Morning Prayer, and Evening Prayer. They also obey St. Benedict's instruction to be humble, keeping the "fear of God" always before their eyes. This humility involves recognising God as the source of their gifts and giving Him credit for their achievements.
Conversion to the monastic life also means converting one's relationships. Monks form authentic communities, supporting and encouraging one another through difficulties and joys. They show "pure love" to their fellow monks, prioritising the needs of others above their own. This sense of brotherhood provides a deep sense of belonging and communion, fulfilling the spiritual need for meaningful connections.
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Frequently asked questions
Monastic life is based on the following principles:
- Silence
- Prayer
- Work
- Contemplation
- Community
According to St Benedict, "Prayer should, therefore, be short and pure, unless perhaps it is prolonged under the inspiration of divine grace" (RB 20:4). This means that even if you have a busy schedule, you should still dedicate time in the morning and evening to pray. Monks aim to "pray without ceasing", finding opportunities throughout the day to offer brief prayers of trust in God.
A monk's role is to visibly witness in his life that God is the absolute priority. Monks grow closer to God and, in doing so, bring the world closer to God.
Humility is a key virtue for monks, who are instructed to keep the "fear of God" always before their eyes (RB 7:10). This means maintaining a right relationship with God, being down to earth, and giving credit to God for the good in your life. Monks also emphasise community, showing "pure love" for their brothers and celebrating with one another during joyful times.
