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Page 6 of 6 Me? A Monk? Although becoming a monk is a unique calling, the principles and practices of monastic living are expected of all those who seek to abide in Christ. Common prayer, Sacraments, feasts, fasts, the Daily Office, study, retreat and relationship – among other monastic disciplines – can help to form us into the likeness of our Lord.
Donald P. Richmond, a frequently published author, occasional college lecturer and Adjunct Faculty at Laud Hall Seminary, is a Certified Spiritual Director and priest with the United Anglican Church.
1 The Society of St. John the Evangelist. The Rule of the Fellowship of St. John. (Cambridge: Cowley Publications).
2 Pitkin Guides. Life in a Monastery. (Hampshire: UK, N/D) p. 6
3 The Rule of the Fellowship of St. John.
4Biffi, Inos and Vignazia, Franco. An Introduction to the Liturgical Year. (Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1994) pp. 8-9
5 There are several fine Prayer Books. Oxford University Press releases the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Morehouse Publishing releases a beautiful Red Letter edition of the 1549 Book of Common Prayer. It is entitled The First English Prayer Book. You will need to draw from your own tradition in order to find a volume that is both suitable and orthodox. Anglican: The Anglican Breviary (Frank Gavin Liturgical Foundation, Inc.); Eastern Orthodox: A Manual for Eastern Orthodox Prayers (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press); Lutheran: For All Saints (American Lutheran Publicity Bureau); Roman Catholic: Daily Roman Missal (Our Sunday Visitor Books). The Divine Hours (Doubleday), by Phyllis Tickle.
6 The Institute of Cistercian Studies and Cistercian Publications demonstrate how important study is to the monastic community. Upon reviewing their texts (or those of other monastic publishers), you will find a clear connection between monasticism, education and spiritual direction and formation. If interested in this field of study, Jean Leclercq’s The Love of Learning and the Desire for God (Fordham University Press) is a “must.”
7 See: The Way of the Heart (Ballantine Books, 1981) by Henri Nouwen.
8 ibid. p. 13
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