This is a really good article about the incredible restoration going on in Norcia, the birthplace of St. Benedict. Very timely also, and it also contains a plethora of phrases relevant to Christianity and Catholicism in particular. Among these are New Evangelization, restoration of monastic culture, scholastic education, Gregorian chant,
ressourcment, traditional monastic horarium and dynamic renewal. Real positive ideas which all have meanings.
Note that there are no mentions of the so-called
Benedict Option in this article anymore than there are mentions of
unicorns, global warming, Santa's elves or
queer theory. Also conspicuously absent is the cute abbreviation
BenOp which is preferred by most of the
BOppers out there.
RTWT; here are a few interesting paragraphs:
In addition, the monks have engaged in many cultural endeavors. Looking
back to the mandate of Vatican II, this may be the best way to
understand the call for “adaption.” As I have written elsewhere, Cardinal Pell described their brewery, Birra Nursia, as a genuine expression of the New Evangelization. The monks see the brewery as an apostolate for engaging non-believers
and though their brewery has only been around for a few years (since
2012) it has had a large impact, even being served at the last papal
conclave!
...
The monastery’s new CD, Benedicta: Marian Chants from Norcia, was produced in partnership with de Montfort Music,
a highly successful label, producing 3 of the top five classical albums
for 2014. The CD presents many traditional Marian hymns and antiphons,
some of which will be readily recognizable, but what stands out to me is
that the CD also includes an original composition. This, once again,
reflects the creative and dynamic renewal of the Norcia monks. The text
and music of the original piece, Nos Qui Christi Iugum (“We Who Have Received Christ’s Yoke”), were composed by Fr. Basil Nixen, the monastery’s choirmaster.
I would encourage everyone to purchase the CD,
not only for its beauty and inducement to contemplation, but also to
support the great work of renewal undertaken by the Monastery of St.
Benedict of Norcia. We all have a great work ahead of us to rebuild the
foundations of our civilization. In this work, we will all be carried by
the prayers and labors of contemplatives. Their renewal, the renewal of
the monastic foundation, may just leaven the whole project of
rebuilding. And where better to start, but in the very home of the great
builder of the foundations of Western civilization, St Benedict?
That sounds like a good CD to buy if you want to support these good monks. I'm sure the beer kicks, too, but I'm stocked for a few more weeks, thanks.
Real monks doing real stuff making good music, good beer and praying their asses off. I have no doubt that these men are having a real effect on the world by their prayers and actions, their
ora et labora. My guess is they don't have a lot of time to discuss imaginary places, persons or things like the
Benedict Option. That exercise wouldn't really fit under either category, although maybe a Latin scholar could devise a quick phrase which translates roughly to "talking about praying tomorrow most likely, thinking about working later on and definitely planning to write a book someday."
