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Radical Christians living out the Gospel through the daily rule of life, living evangelism every day. May they abound as beacons of light and life of the Gospel.

Dear Diak,
may I ask what does idiorrhythmic mean? Why is this often greeted by dismay?

Dwight who posts occassionaly was telling me about a book called "The Bacon Priest". The priest founded the cloistered convents all along the Iron Curtains fortresses. A poor clare mother superior told him he'd need to do that or his social work would fail. He founded a string of convents and got gobs of donations for destitute Germans. He felt all of Europe could go Communist because of the poverty after the war if people were allowed to starve. He started out by getting the farmers to give him sides of bacon. Other people in europe were in not to charitable a mood but he convinced many to help. He said he gatherd millions to help the people and the destitute church in Germany. He must have retired in the 50's after prosperity returned, by then he had given out millions in aid. The priest contributed to the healing between the low countries and Germany for sure.

The priests concerns were feeding people. He does not remember about the conversions. But felt the nuns were the ones that got the conversions. And the Communists took no more countries.

But, I thought it was so very interesting that he went right up against them to open monasteries. Kind of like you are suggesting. Going into the battle fields.

THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO DO!

Dwight thinks the book was from Ignatius Press

Pani Rose

Rose, that basically means "of their own rhythym". These monks may have work outside of the monastery and in general it is a much "looser" form of monasticism.

The monks may only meet for Matins, Vespers, or DL based on their "outside" work schedules and say the remainder of their prayer rule during the day while at their other tasks.

In ancient times they may have owned a piece of land to farm, etc. In today's parlance it would be more like owning your own car to go to work, etc. I think with the present conditions, the need to provide some sustenance for the new monastery or monastic community it may be worthwhile to look again at this type of life.

Historically there have been great and sometimes heated debates amongst monks who lived this way and the strictly cenobitic monks who lived in community according to a strict rule or monastic typikon and renounced all "outside" ownership and activities. That's what I was referring to earlier.

Rose, the "Bacon Priest" was Fr. Werenfried von Straaten of blessed memory, who was a great friend and supporter of the Greek Catholics being persecuted under Communism, and was a close personal friend of Patriarchs Josyp Slipij and Maximos IV Saigh.