www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization New Websites on Monasticism

Glory to Jesus Christ!
I just wanted to share two updates about monasticism in terms of web pages.

First, Holy Resurrection Monastery in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin has a new website:
http://hrmonline.org/ is the same URL but the content/layout is new and improved!

Second, there is a new website from a family that frequents HRM, which really highlights the connection between evangelization and the monastic life as an ideal/goal. Every Home a Monastery is the name of the site, URL is: http://www.everyhomeamonastery.com/

I particularly enjoy this post, which is an interview with 2 of the kids in the family on the Canon of St. Andrew of Crete: http://www.everyhomeamonastery.com/my-childrens-thoughts-on-the-great-canon/

In Christ,
JAD

enjoy both sites, greatly.

I'm wary of the concept of monasticism as an ideal for laypeople, as if, apart from popping out babies and working a job, we should be acting like monks. "Every home a monastery" sounds to me like a recipe for neurotic family behavior. The oft-cited quote from St. John of the Ladder about monks being a light for all men is, IMO, taken out of context. St. John is admonishing monks to set a good example and not scandalize the faithful; he is not advising the laity to conform their lives to monastic life in every possible way.

I have to agree with Swan. Maybe there are vestiges of Msgr. Escriva in my brain, but this is beyond me. I have also observed that certain "professional Catholics" can take a good thing too far.
I had a friend who was a Tibetan monk who was part of the post-Communist exile. One good thing he said about the Chinese takeover was that so many Tibetans had entered monasteries up to that point they were in danger of dying out. Not that there is a ghost of a chance happening to the Catholic Church or to the Orthodox Church. Yes, the monk is an ideal for us Christians, but it is enough for the home to be the domestic church.

Yes, and I think the blog authors of Every Home is a Monastery is taking up that call, just finely. As we say in the East: between them, and their confessor.

... and the internet, apparently.

Whatever you think I am, or want me to be, I am - Bruce Lee.

If you want to attach such a stigma, so be it.

At least, the kids are getting SOMETHING out of it, based on what we're seeing.

You can say all you want about the energy/vibe presented from the website/postings; and the content, therein. But I wouldn't go as far as to presume the Essence of their heart or intent, only God knows that.

I work with High schoolers; and I have to say, they should be of the age to ponder on these things, to some degree. Yet, they're so inundated with pop culture around them, they don't look at the other side of the coin of life.

My OCA pastor had said the opposite of noisy kids, is having no kids at all. I see the wisdom in such, in that, there is somehow an enjoyment sapped out of attending services; and a parenting style promoting do as I say, not as I do; and this notion of unquestioned obedience, where things drown out.. and people wonder why there are broken relationships between parents and their kids.. It's an endless life cycle, because we're creatures of habit.. But, we're reminded Lent is a time to change those things.. to be transfigured all year round..

Off soapbox.

I don't recall anywhere evaluating their heart or intent. I just know it's generally a bad idea to attempt to impose a monastic way of life on a family in the world.


And having no kids at all would be the logical conclusion of "every home a monastery." There in fact stories in the church of married couples who chose to live "as brother and sister." And hey, maybe that was just what they needed to do, but it's not for everyone. There are ways of living a holy life in families, as a family- not as monks and nuns who happen to have kids, jobs, etc.


Unquestioned obedience is another plank of monastic life. I agree with you that it doesn't belong in a family home. Another reason to object to a sentiment like "every home a monastery."

Did you bother reading any of the blog postings? They have kids, and the family is quite sizeable; and another is on the way.

Lester,

While I don't propose to speak for him/her, I think Swan is suggesting that a traditional family is not his/her idea of a monastic setting.

I'd suggest that everyone can agree to disagree on whether or not it's an ideal setting without anyone getting bent out of shape - at the moment, there seem to be 2 on each side of the debate.

Many years,

Neil