"Mother Cat", short for Caterina, a nun based in Washington state, gave us a humorous talk about Benedictine life. She said they are quirky, and if her name is any indication, I'm inclined to believe her. In ancient times, their communities accepted almost anyone and everyone who applied. Barbarians and Goths were received as Christ. Their Rule states that if their brother leaves the community for some reason, he must be accepted back. If he leaves again, he must be accepted back again. And the same is true a third time. After that, it is "good riddance!" (My words, not hers.) As a result, there are characters in Benedictine houses. They take in a "huge hunk" of humanity. (Those ARE her words.) They don't have to have PhDs or be geniuses, like the Jesuits. They aren't out there preaching like the Dominicans. They are just inside and praying!
At lunch, I mentioned this description to Fr. Symeon, and he listened with interest, asked me to repeat what I said, and laughed. I found out later that he was ordained only a few months ago (at the age of 48!). Oops. Open mouth, insert foot.
- Posted from my iPad
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