Christian Mysticism:  Benedict

Presentation:  April 5, 2008

Abbot Jerome Kodell, O.S.B., S.S.L., S.T.L.

Brief Description of Presentation

The mystical tradition associated with the name of Benedict has as its focal point his sixth century Rule, but draws on a broader range of sources.  Benedict only briefly addresses personal prayer in the Rule, assuming an awareness of the received monastic tradition, especially the desert spirituality as transmitted through Cassian.  As with everything, in regard to personal spirituality, Benedict is respectful of individual differences. He provides encouragement for prayer "without many words," for petitionary prayer, and for lectio divina, and invites his monks to seek further enlightenment in the sources on their own.  The kind of fruit which developed from these seeds can be seen in the life and teaching of his disciples, represented for example by the Venerable Bede and the author of The Cloud of Unknowing.

Prayer Exercise

Centering Prayer

Preparation for Session and Bibliography

Michael Casey, Toward God: The Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer, Ligouri Publications, 1996.

The Cloud of Unknowing, ed. William Johnston, Image Books, 1996.

Periodicals: American Benedictine Review; Cistercian Studies

About Abbot Jerome

Jerome Kodell, O.S.B., Abbot of Subiaco Monastery in Northwestern Arkansas, is nationally recognized as a scripture scholar, lecturer, linguist, and author of several books. He was an originator of the Little Rock Scripture Study Program, now used in many dioceses in the country and in other lands as well. His books include Responding to the Word, A Biblical Spirituality (1978); A Commentary on the Minor Prophets (1982),  The Catholic Bible Study Handbook (Revised Edition, 2001); The Eucharist in the New Testament (1987) and Twelve Keys to Prayer, Liturgical Press, 1999.  Articles by him have appeared in various journals.  Abbot Jerome has also served as a consulting editor for two publications, The Biblical Theology Bulletin and Benedictines. He has given many workshops and lectures throughout the country.  He received a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Collegio Sant' Anselmo, Rome and a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome