
An Monastic Vision for the Twenty-First Century
Where Do We Go From Here?
Patrick Hart(Editor)
Liturgical Press
Published on 1. October 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
254 pages
978-0-87907-057-1 (ISBN)
Description
An ancient lifestyle which has been adapted, renewed, and is still being followed today, monasticism appears to some outside it as a quaint anachronism and to others as the sanest of all ways of living. Can it survive in the post post-modern world? A dozen insiders and outsiders 'monastics, academics, clergy, laypersons, hermits, cenobites, poets, and writers 'offer their reflections on the future of the monastic life of prayer and community. Contributing their insights are Michael Casey, Kathleen Norris, Lawrence Cunningham, Terrence Kardong, Bonnie Thurston, John Eudes Bamberger, Joan Chittister, Mary Margaret Funk, Gal Fitzpatrick, Francis Kline, Daniel Coughlin, Robert Morneau, Miriam Pollard, and Bernardo Olivera.
Reviews / Votes
In their approach to the question, the style of writing and starting points, these authors make for a varied collection . . . they are ready to face what they see as hard choices needed for monasticism to continue to offer a vision to others.The Downside Review Karl Rahner's observation that in the future, Christians will be mystics or they will be nothing at all, might well summarize the 'vision' for monastics in this volume of essays, A Monastic Vision for the Twenty-first Century. Through a wide variety of approaches, the one underlying theme seems to be that the search for God in prayer and communal living is essential to monastics living in any century.Benedictines When a monk wonders out loud in a group of monastics and others interested in monasticism and its future, vigorous and enlightening discussion often ensues. This collection of essays results from questions posed in such a setting: what can church and world expect from monasticism in the twenty-first century? How might it be ideally incarnated for the future? Between the bookends of a sharply focused introduction and a poetic lectio on the Easter proclamation, readers discover a wide variety of responses by Cistercian and Benedictine men and women and other writers who, though not members of monasteries, have had long-standing experience and association with monasticism.American Benedictine Review The essays all, in their various ways, look at the present, asking what is the real value of monastic life? What is proving to be most attractive and enduring? This is realistic and at the same time an inspiration. All the essays are excellent and would bear several readings.Quarterly Review of the Community of the Resurrection In this thought-provoking study Brother Patrick Hart, former secretary to Thomas Merton, has drawn from a notable list of collaborators a full spectrum of ideas on the future of monasticism. . . . Thomas Merton's ideas permeate this compilation, as contributors frequently cite the renowned Trappist monk. Readers who, like them, are far from ready to pull down the curtains on monastic life will be pleased to find these pages filled with new seeds of contemplation.America A Monastic Vision for the 21st Century is highly recommended to those interested in the future of Benedictine and Cistercian monasticism.Curled Up With A Good BookMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Collegeville, MN
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 214 mm
Width: 141 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
299 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-87907-057-1 (9780879070571)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Patrick Hart, OCSO, (1925-2019), a native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, entered the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1951 and served as secretary to Thomas Merton during the last year of his life. He edited many books by and about Thomas Merton during the thirty-eight years since the latter's death on December 10, 1968. He had served on the board of directors for Cistercian Publications for the past thirty years.
Content
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword ix
Patrick Hart, ocso
Introduction xiii
Dom Bernardo Olivera, ocso
"Soli Deo Placere Desiderans" 1
Bonnie Thurston
Thoughts on Monasticism's Possible Futures 23
Michael Casey, ocso
The Secret Ingredient 43
Kathleen Norris
Thoughts on the Future of Western Monasticism 57
Terrence Kardong, osb
Monasticism as a Schola: Some Reflections from the Ivory Tower 73
Lawrence S. Cunningham
Old Vision for a New Age 89
Joan Chittister, osb
Monasticism: A Poetic Perspective 105
Robert Morneau, D.D.
Fragments for a Vision of Cistercian Life in the 21st Century 119
John Eudes Bamberger, ocso
Enclosure: The Heart of the Matter 145
Gail Fitzpatrick, ocso
To What Holiness? Monasticism and the Church Today 165
Francis Kline, ocso
The Fruits of Monasticism: A View from Washington 185
Daniel P. Coughlin
North Woods Abbey: On Lake Gogebic 199
Mary Margaret Funk, osb
Epilogue: Lectio on the Easter Proclamation 225
Miriam Pollard, ocso
Notes on Contributors 231
Foreword ix
Patrick Hart, ocso
Introduction xiii
Dom Bernardo Olivera, ocso
"Soli Deo Placere Desiderans" 1
Bonnie Thurston
Thoughts on Monasticism's Possible Futures 23
Michael Casey, ocso
The Secret Ingredient 43
Kathleen Norris
Thoughts on the Future of Western Monasticism 57
Terrence Kardong, osb
Monasticism as a Schola: Some Reflections from the Ivory Tower 73
Lawrence S. Cunningham
Old Vision for a New Age 89
Joan Chittister, osb
Monasticism: A Poetic Perspective 105
Robert Morneau, D.D.
Fragments for a Vision of Cistercian Life in the 21st Century 119
John Eudes Bamberger, ocso
Enclosure: The Heart of the Matter 145
Gail Fitzpatrick, ocso
To What Holiness? Monasticism and the Church Today 165
Francis Kline, ocso
The Fruits of Monasticism: A View from Washington 185
Daniel P. Coughlin
North Woods Abbey: On Lake Gogebic 199
Mary Margaret Funk, osb
Epilogue: Lectio on the Easter Proclamation 225
Miriam Pollard, ocso
Notes on Contributors 231