Author Topic: semi-monastic prayer group (Read 1519 times)

William P Topper · « **on:** June 12, 2015, 05:06:25 PM »

[code]what would members think about a group / league / society / order of single elderly men (50+) dedicating the rest of their lives to 'ora et labora' in service to the requests of Our Lady of Fatima and the Honour of God in a semi-monastic set-up under the rule of St. Benedict or St. Bernard, more or less living in the style of the early Church monastic communities, like the Desert Fathers?
Comments please.
Bill

:farmer:

poche · « **Reply #1 on:** June 12, 2015, 11:51:11 PM »

Where would this group be?

William P Topper · « **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2015, 12:09:28 PM »

In reply to the question: Where would this group be?

Let's enlarge on the subject matter. The group!

The wife of a man dies, he's around 60 and retired or semi-retired, children are all out of the house, either married or having a demanding job. He's "traditional" and finds few friends of the same conviction in the near vacinity.
Finding himself alone he realises that he wants more than just a weekly H. Mass (if he's lucky), a hobby and his daily prayers.
How's he to fill the experienced "emptiness"? Monasteries will not accept such elderly person. Old-age-homes....? He feels too 'young' and where would one find such institution offering the daily H. Mass (St. Pius V) and regular daily prayers?

Undoubtedly there are such gentlemen around with this desire to give more, than the wordly routine, to God and Our Lady for the benefit of themselves and neighbor.

So when anyone can answer or suggest a helpful reply to the above, this reply will of itself answer "Where would this group be?"

Looking forward to comments.
God bless you all abundantly. Bill :idea:

Ladislaus · « **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2015, 04:08:49 PM »

Why the need for a "group" if they're dispersed? Anyone could just do this on his own then. There's nothing prevent anyone from living whatever rule of life he/she chooses in the circuмstances you describe.

poche · « **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2015, 10:41:38 PM »

Quote from: William P Topper

In reply to the question: Where would this group be?

Let's enlarge on the subject matter. The group!

The wife of a man dies, he's around 60 and retired or semi-retired, children are all out of the house, either married or having a demanding job. He's "traditional" and finds few friends of the same conviction in the near vacinity.
Finding himself alone he realises that he wants more than just a weekly H. Mass (if he's lucky), a hobby and his daily prayers.
How's he to fill the experienced "emptiness"? Monasteries will not accept such elderly person. Old-age-homes....? He feels too 'young' and where would one find such institution offering the daily H. Mass (St. Pius V) and regular daily prayers?

Undoubtedly there are such gentlemen around with this desire to give more, than the wordly routine, to God and Our Lady for the benefit of themselves and neighbor.

So when anyone can answer or suggest a helpful reply to the above, this reply will of itself answer "Where would this group be?"

Looking forward to comments.
God bless you all abundantly. Bill :idea:

By St Pius V does this mean SSPV?

PG · « **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2015, 11:31:02 PM »

William - Is your hobby a hobby for the good of souls/the church(perfect), or is it just a worldy activity which helps one avoid idleness(imperfect)? I suspect that is where the problem lies. Your "labora" is either not traditional or sanctifying. In the way of perfection(religious life), your labora must be fulfilling yet at the same time pleasing to God. If you want some ideas, look no further than the hobbies of monks. Monks paint holy images/icons, carve statues, make rosaries, grow their own food, and so on. Growing food for example is very uplifting and fulfilling. Pray to God about your hobby/labora. The examples I gave are few. There is much more labora to choose from. Pray about it, pray for an answer.

Also, monastics keep a routine. So, keep a routine. And, keep it simple. Because, being alone, you will likely not always keep it. But, simple enables you to easily get back up and on the horse again. Our lord, carrying the cross, fell three times. But, he got up and continued. Do likewise.

William P Topper · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2015, 04:33:12 PM »

Thank you for the replies so far.
Why a group? Of course anyone could do it on his own, totally agreed and a truthful observation. However, one may remember Our Lord's: "Where two or more are gathered in My Name .... !" Hence monasteries and ... traditional chapels.
St. Pius V means the pre-conciliar liturgy.
God bless. Bill

poche · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2015, 11:08:45 PM »

So, wehre would we meet up?

poche · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2015, 11:10:35 PM »

What rule of life would we use?

William P Topper · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2015, 09:26:54 AM »

May God bless the reader.
In reply to "hobby" it is quite clear from 'ora et labore' of the first message about this semi-monastic group, not so?
In fact for sustenance the Trappists, now in the USA are brewing BEER and so did they in the Netherlands in the 'old' days as well as coltivated field of wheat, kept chickens and had a herd of thorough-bred cows, besides manufacturing their own garments and shoes, stainglass windows, baked their own Huge breads, cheeses and proviced for their own food.
In reply as to the "rule to be followed" ditto.
God bless. Bill