The Feast Of All Benedictine Saints

Today is the day [historically] that Benedictines respectfully remember those black habited men and women Benedictines that have been canonized as Saints.

The Saints, in a social-media driven world in dire need of role models, are a huge deal. They show us the way. The lives they lived casts illumination upon the paths that our feet travel.

Their examples of Christian faith and loyalty stand in direct contrast to the dismal darkness of our time that is portrayed as the “good life” to be desired and sought after. 

Their example, if only applied, is the remedy for the modern ills that plague the Church.

There is no contraction in their words and actions. Their words and their deeds bear witness to one another. It is one thing to preach a good line. It is altogether another thing to live a good line. 

The Saints show us how to do both. The Rule of Saint Benedict, in Chapter 2 [The Qualities of the Abbot] insists that pointing out what is good and holy is best done more by example than by words [RB 2:12].

The lives of the Saints are a continual reminder that I yet have a long way to go in my own Conversatio Morum where the fruit of this conversion process is always a closer representative modeling of the one who is The Way, Truth, and Life.

With choirs, both today and throughout the Benedictine ages, I offer this hymn in remembrance and respect.

Avete Solitudinis Claustrique Mites

Hail dwellers in the solitude

And in the lowly cloister cell,

Who steadfast and unshaken stood

Against the raging hordes of hell.

All wealth of gold and precious stone

And glories all of rank and birth

You cast away and trampled on,

With all low pleasures of this earth.

The green fields and the orchards grew

The simple fare whereon ye fed.

The brook was drink enough for you,

And on the hard ground was your bed.

Around you dwelt the venomed snakes,

And fiercest monsters harboured near.

All foul forms that the demon takes

You saw, but would not yield to fear.

Far, far beyond all earthly things

Your burning thoughts would wing their flight,

And hear the holy whisperings

Of angels in the heavenly height.

Thou Father of the heavenly host,

Thou glorious Son of Mary maid,

Thou Paraclete, the Holy Ghost,

To Thee be praise and glory paid.

Collect: [Monastic Diurnal]

GRANT we beseech thee, Almighty God: that the example of the holy Monks may stir us up to amendment of life; that we may imitate the holy actions of those whose solemn festival we celebrate. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.