Jesus aid to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ (Mt. 22:37)
As the only Benedictine parish in New Hampshire, Saint Raphael Church strives to promote the spirituality and the core values of the Benedictine tradition. While many think of this tradition as only having a place in monasteries, Saint Benedict intended his Rule to be approachable and inviting to all who encountered it. The precepts of his Rule can be incorporated into the lives of all who strive to follow the call of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN has created the following synopsis of the Benedictine way of life. We hope and pray that you find these prescriptions for living a loving and godly life to be helpful in deepening your faith.
- We acknowledge the primacy of God. To look for God in the ordinary events of each day. “We believe that the divine presence is everywhere” (RB 19:1)
- We are committed to forming stable relationships in the community. To become who we are by our relationships with others. “…and may he bring us all together to everlasting life.” (RB 72:12)
- We call the community together for counsel to make decisions. To cultivate a rootedness and a shared sense of mission, to stand firm in our promises. “As often as anything important is to be done … the abbot shall call the whole community together and explain what the business is…” (RB 3:1)
- We reverence all persons. To respect each person regardless of class, cultural background or professional skill. “No one is to pursue what is judged best for oneself, but instead, what is better for someone else.” (RB 72:7)
- We listen reverently with the ear of our heart. To hear keenly and sensitively the voices of persons and all created beings. “Listen with the ear of your heart.” (RB Prologue 1)
- We are committed to stability of place. To appreciate the dignity of work in God’s creation. “…they live by the labor of their hands.” RB 48:8
- We practice hospitality and respect for all persons. To offer warmth, acceptance and joy in welcoming others. “Let all … be received as Christ.” (RB 53:1)
- We reverence all creation. To appreciate and to care lovingly for all the goods of this place. “Regard all utensils as if they were sacred vessels of the altar.” (RB 31:10)
- We foster an environment for deep transformation of the whole person (conversatio). To practice enthusiasm for conversatio. “Through this love, all … will now begin to be observed without effort, as though naturally, for habit, … out of love for Christ, good habit, and delight in virtue.” (RB 7:68-69)
- We are committed to practicing simplicity and frugality. To be content with living simply and finding balance in work, prayer, and leisure. “All things are done in moderation.” (RB 48:9)
- We integrate a commitment to the common good and respect for the individual. To develop a robust sense of the common good. “We intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service… We hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love.” (RB Prologue 45-47)
- We are committed to practicing justice. To work toward a just order in our immediate environment and in the larger society. “that in all things may God be glorified.” (RB 57:9)
Lectio Divina
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Prov. 3:5-6)
Lectio divina is the ancient art of reading Scripture in such a way that one “invites the Word of God to become a transforming lens that brings the events of daily living into focus, ….to live more deeply and find the presence of God more readily in the events of each day.” (USCCB, 2009).
Lectio involves four essential steps: lectio (reading the text a few times), meditatio (reflecting on what has been read), contemplatio (being open to transformation by God’s presence) and oratio (prayerful conversation with God). To these four steps some traditions add the step of actio (following God’s initiative into action in the world).
“When a person wants to use Lectio Divina as a prayer form today, the method is very simple. When one is a beginner, it is better to choose a passage from one of the Gospels or epistles, usually ten or fifteen verses. Some people who regularly engage in this method of prayer choose the epistle or the Gospel for the Mass of the day as suggested by the Catholic Church.
First one goes to a quiet place and recalls that one is about to listen to the Word of God. Then one reads the scripture passage aloud to let oneself hear with his or her own ears the words. When one finishes reading, pause and recall if some word or phrase stood out or something touched one’s heart. If so, pause and savor the insight, feeling, or understanding. Then go back and read the passage again because it will have a fuller meaning. Pause again and note what happened. If one wants to dialogue with God or Jesus in response to the word, one should follow the prompting of one’s heart. This kind of reflective listening allows the Holy Spirit to deepen awareness of God’s taking the initiative to speak with us.
Lectio Divina can also be an effective form for group prayer. After a passage is read, there can be some extended silence for each person to savor what he or she has heard, particularly noting whether any word or phrase became a special focus of attention. Sometimes groups invite members, if they so desire, to share out loud the word or phrase that struck them. This is done without discussion. Then a different person from the group would read the passage again with a pause for silence. Different emphases might be suggested after each reading: What gift does this passage lead me to ask from the Lord? What does this passage call me to do? The prayer can be concluded with an Our Father.
Whether one prays individually or in a group, Lectio Divina is a flexible and easy way to pray. One first listens, notes what is given and responds in a way one is directed by the Holy Spirit.”
(From Finding God in All Things: A Marquette Prayer Book © 2009 Marquette University Press)
Benedictus
(Luke 1:68-79, traditionally prayed during morning prayers)
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a might savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.