Levavi oculos meos in montes

 Is there a "monastic theology"?   Is there any form of intellectuality which is a theology on the one hand, and monastic and nothing but monastic on the other? It is a question, Jean Leclercq says, that has come up in recent times (meaning the late 50's, when he was addressing young monks, and writing his book). The basic purpose of his Introduction seems to be to sketch an answer to this question.  This he does by focusing on the 12th century flowering of theological writings, pointing to a divergence between what is called "prescholastic" and "monastic" theology.   Specifically, he briefly compares writings by two notable theologians of the time.  Peter Lombard represents early scholasticism and St Bernard of Clairvaux, a monastic theology which can be distinguished in style and goal.     So here are the subheadings: "Prescholastic" and Monastic Literature Peter Lombard's Prologue on St Paul Prologue of St Bernard to his Sermons on th...

Love of Learning and Desire for God, a study of monastic culture by Dom Jean Leclercq, is divided into three main sections, totalling ten chapters, an introduction, and an epilogue.   The introduction is called Learning and Spirituality ; the Epilogue is called Literature and the Mystical Life.   The sections are on:   the formation, the sources, and the fruits of monastic culture. The first section, on formation of monastic culture , traces some of the early history of monasticism.   He starts with the conversion of St Benedict, then moves to Pope St Gregory the Great, then briefly discusses some of the figures of what is called the Carolingian Renaissance.   The second section is on sources of monastic culture .  These are listed as:  devotion to heaven, sacred learning, ancient traditional spirituality, and liberal studies. The third section, on the fruits of monastic culture , discusses:  literary genres used by monastics,...

 Thus Jean Leclercq, a Benedictine scholar in the past century, entitled the essay in which he presents the characteristics of monastic theology: L'amour des lettres et le désir de Dieu (Love of words and the desire for God). In fact, the desire to know and to love God which comes to meet us through his words to be received, meditated upon and put into practice, leads us to seek to deepen our knowledge of the biblical texts in all their dimensions. Then there is another attitude on which those who practise monastic theology insist: namely an intimate, prayerful disposition that must precede, accompany and complete the study of Sacred Scripture. Since, ultimately, monastic theology is listening to God's word, it is impossible not to purify the heart in order to receive it and, especially, it is impossible not to enkindle in it a longing to encounter the Lord. Theology thus becomes meditation, prayer, a song of praise and impels us to sincere conversion.    BENEDICT XVI,GEN...

  Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under star, Yet feet that wandering have gone Turn at last to home afar. Eyes that fire and sword have seen And horror in the halls of stone Look at last on meadows green And trees and hills they long have known. I've been trying to keep this blog streamlined, focused on certain streams of thought.   But you know what?   That is not really how I write, especially not how I blog.   I end up just not writing at all.  And while there can be a functioning blog without many readers, there can't be a functioning blog without writers. Arriving at a destination always seems like a good time to take stock, and change how things are going, and write.   That is a thoroughly Tolkienian thought, though I suppose that the setting off part is where things change, and the return home is where you take stock, and pull out your pipe (coffee in my case)  and pen and paper, and start your version of There and Bac...

   “Salus animarum suprema lex esto” — “the salvation of souls … must be the supreme law in the Church.”   ( Canon Law 1752 )  This bears emphasis -- I read it in a canon law newsletter we receive by regular mail, but you can find it emphasized in these articles: https://liturgyguy.com/2016/07/14/the-supreme-law-of-the-church-is-the-salvation-of-souls https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2016/07/19/quick-thoughts-on-the-ultimate-purpose-of-canon-law-and-social-doctrine   Both of these refer to a talk given by Archbishop Sample of Portland, Oregon called The Supreme Law of the Church.     He says: The Church’s Code of Canon Law contains 1,752 laws covering everything from the structural organization of the Church as the people of God, the teaching of the Faith, the sacramental life of the Church, the administration of the material goods of the Church, and even penal and procedural law. But lest any of us (especially canon lawyers) forget the purpose...