A quick update. Am going to try and keep my posts shorter and more to the point as have a tendancy to produce tomes of writing which must be difficult to trawl through for those reading…
House move still going ahead. No date yet but didn’t I say something about moving before the end of the summer holidays?? lol 😉 Famous last words.
My religious dry spell finished the minute everyone returned to work and school. Am right back on track in fact better than ever, probably due to having missed that time spent with God so much. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder even when talking about one’s love for God but then He is the love of my life………
Am having cold feet about starting my Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies ~ not sure why really but will pray about it and make sure it’s ‘right’ for me as at the moment I’ve lost all enthusiasm which is not like me. Ideas and thoughts on the back of a post card to………
Have just bought [and read] this book…. Halfway to Heaven ~ The Hidden Life of the Carthusians. I’ve always had a fascination for the religious life especially since my calling three years ago and have often wondered why. Am I obsessed, curious, just plain nosey, or normal? This book went some way to answering that. It spoke about the difference between Carthusian Brothers and Carthusian Fathers ~ Brothers do more manual labour for the good of the community but are still fully professed Monks but the Fathers [who are qualified as Priests hence the title ‘Father’] spend more time in prayer supported and enabled by their fellow Brothers undertaking the more day to day things. Brothers actually spend about six hours per day doing manual work so therefore alot less time in prayer than the Fathers. I could totally identify with those Brothers. I too seem to spend an awful lot of time doing manual work and for a few seconds I felt a bit sorry for them. However, when I read on it became obvious that this is their choice and that they devote their whole day’s work to God and the monastery which is after all God’s dwelling place.
Suddenly I realise that I’m fascinated not so much with religious life per se but with the time and opportunity available within that framework and setting to be one-on-one with God. The description of the Brothers made me see that it’s not just about prayer and silence, it’s about giving one’s whole day to God right down to the routine chores. They obviously manage to lead very devout lives whilst still working a day that looks alot like mine. Pope John Paul II wrote about the little domestic church and suddenly I can see that I have one here ~ I’ve just never viewed it as such. The Carthusians also have alot to teach us as I’m finding during my study of their ways and practises. Strange how a community so far removed from the secular world can give so many examples of how to bring God into the day-to-day whether secular or religious.
The closer I draw to God the clearer His vision for me becomes.
Pax
If you want to read more about the Carthusians, there is a book about five young men who entered the order. It is called An Infinity of Little Hours by Nancy Klein Maguire. It is quite interesting. There is always the film, Into Great Silence which is Zen-like and poetic. A definite romanticism surrounds the monastic life. However, it probably those who most need such a structure that are drawn to the life and remain. One has to be wary of that sentimentalism. I recall once in prayer asking God why I was never able to respond to a call to religious life. The answer I got stuck with me: What makes you think you would be any better if you were a nun? I took it to mean that God calls us all to holiness according to His/Her terms.
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Barbara ~ Very coincidentally I added that book ‘An Infinity of Little Hours’ to my wishlist on Amazon only last night :). I also have Into Great Silence which is just the most amazing flim isn’t it??
Your thoughts of why people are drawn to the Religious life are most interesting and, I suspect, very accurate. I know that I’d be no different as a religious and I have no desire to actually be one, but I am truly fascinated by the life. I have to confess that I’m envious of their lack of distractions and peaceful environment.
Thank you for a most enlightening comment. Every blessing.
S xx
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I confess the very same envy. The orderliness and the support that structure gives to their prayer life is attractive. However, even in Teresa’s Carmel, there were few true contemplatives.
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Must admit have not heard of Carthusians before so will have to have a search … sounds inspiring though …
Good that you have been able to return to a spiritual routine Sharon, must admit have appreciated having time & motivation for prayer/spiritual reading myself this weekend … we spent some time at Watership Down which is just blissful & very enhancing faith-wise.
So often life shouts at us & we can’t hear God’s voice properly, having time apart & peace is invaluable. The challenge (for me) is finding that same connection with Him when we are immersed in life!
Hugs to you sweetie xx
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Hi Sharon,
It’s good to hear that your religious dry spell is at an end. Did you ever find the book on Mother Teresa? If so, what did you think?
I agree with Barbara that religious are blessed with structure and orderliness in terms of prayer life, and I think women, especially mothers, are challenged when it comes to prayer.
Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle addresses these issues quite well on her blogs, and she points out that the domestic church is as wonderful as a traditional church. I also love her talks on the rosary, and how mothers frequently start and stop praying their beads throughout the day.
May God Bless your day.
Love,
Gail
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Allie ~ I agree totally, finding that connection in the hum drum of [noisy] life is a challenge. That said, I am slowly starting to be able to find God in my daily chores [a bit Brother Lawrence style ~ finding God among the pots and pans]. I’ve found through reading other people’s work that the only way to do this is to give your whole day to God and devote even the most menial tasks to him. Quite a Benedictine [and Carthusian] approach ~ it’s the way those living a monastic religious life mange to live out their devotion even when doing manual work. It’s easy to say but not so easy to do out here in the secular world but if you practise it starts to come naturally without too much effort.
Hugs by return my lovely xx
Sharon xx
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Gail ~ I’ve added the book to my Amazon wishlist but not yet got round to buying it but will be sure to share my thoughts with you when I do.
The mother’s and prayer [or lack of] issue seems to be a common theme. I see it discussed often and it’s always about not having enough peace, quiet, time etc. I’m off to google Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle to see if I can find her blogs.
May God bless you and yours my lovely xx.
Sharon xx
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