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You are invited to explore the latest
Mewsletter
from the
Feline Benedictine Cloister
4th Quarter 2023
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Hello! Br. Ricky here, delighted that you are joining me through this Mewsletter.
This is an abridged Mewsletter. Advent is only three weeks long this year and I wanted to get this to you ASAP. Plus, I know all of you are busy with your holiday preparations.
My article is about how we can move through Advent with more peace in our heart. I think that is something we all desire.
Mewsletter Contents
Here’s what you will find in this issue of the Mewsletter. Read it all or scroll down to the section you want to read.
Our New Worldwide Novice!
Mewsings from the Feline Cloister
A New Web Addition to the Feline Cloister
Felines Unpack The Rule of St. Benedict - a teaser
Why are Advent and Christmas Not in the Rule?
Novice Application
Visit the Feline Cloister
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"Holy One, whose coming we await, you invite us into the light of your presence: Illumine the dim places of our hearts. We are thirsty for your compassion. Draw near to us and fill us, that we may pour out your goodness to all who hunger. Amen."
Daily Prayers for All Seasons, 14
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Our New Worldwide Novice!
Welcome Mao!
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“Maow!” That’s “Hello” in my mew. My name is Mao. I live in Carmel, Indiana. Amma Jane wanted me to become a Worldwide Novice. I mewed I wasn't so sure about this. So, last month I asked all the Worldwide Novices for prayers for my decision whether to become a Worldwide Novice. The prayers helped me make up my mind to “maow” a resounding “Yes!" Prayer works!
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Worldwide Novice Lilibet of Torrance, CA, mews,
"I'm so glad a joined up!
I'm learning so much
and am with a wonderful group of caring felines."
LISTEN UP,
FELINES & HUMANS!
DO YOU KNOW ANY FELINES WHO WOULD PURR TO BECOME A NOVICE?
PLEASE ENCOURAGE THEM AND THEIR HUMAN TO CHECK OUT THE WORLDWIDE NOVICES OF THE FELINE CLOISTER!
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Mewsings from
the Feline Cloister
"Advent Weaving"
by Br. Ricky, OSB-F
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Weaving creates art of beauty.
Why not the same for our lives?
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The beauty and peace of Advent can be confiscated by the rush of activities and responsibilities as we approach the Christmas holiday.
Br. Ricky has a suggestion that he hopes will help you join all you do together with Christ and his grace. He also provided a tool and a lovely prayer to help you bring what you read to life. Check it out!
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A New Addition to the Feline Cloister
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The Feline Cloister has just launched "Tools for Daily Living from the Feline Cloister." Here you will find practical applications for Benedict's practical practices! | |
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Holy One, whose coming we await, we life our hearts to you: Remind us of your faithfulness, that we may trust ever more deeply in your grace. As night comes, we will set down the tasks of the day so that we may arise renewed, to love and serve you. Amen.
Daily Prayers for All Seasons, 17, modified
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Felines Unpack The Rule of St. Benedict
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Sr. Espy, OSB-F, intent on her research to refute
St. Benedict on these
requirements.
Hiss!
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What's WRONG with
Eating Between Meals??
RB 43.19-20
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"No one is to presume to eat or drink before or after the time appointed.
Moreover, if anyone is offered something by the prioress or abbot
and refuses it, then,
if the monastic later wants what was refused or anything else,
that one should receive nothing at all
until appropriate amends
have been made."
Rule of St. Benedict, RB 43.19-20
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Hey there! Sr. Espy here. I am still researching these two verses. I beg to differ with Benedict on both so I am being very thorough in my research.
SInce my work is not done, please feel free to eat in between meals all you want. Hey, it's approaching Christmas, right? There will be lots of tasty treats around just begging to be consumed. Enjoy!!
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For the daily meals, whether at noon or in midafternoon,
it is enough, we believe, to provide all the tables
with two kinds of cooked food because of individual weaknesses.
In this way, the person who may not be able to eat one kind of food
may partake of the other.
RB 39 - The Proper Amount of Food, 1-2
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Why Did Benedict Exclude
Advent and Christmas in the Rule?
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Maximillian is once again puzzled and mews,
"Benedict left out Advent and Christmas. Why?"
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I (Br. Ricky) have wondered why St. Benedict makes no mention of either Advent or Christmas in his Rule. His focus is on Easter.
When did the liturgical season of Advent begin? What about Christmas? Might this have had an impact?
The Origins of Advent
The word Advent is from the Latin adventus for “arrival” or “coming.”
By the fourth century, the first written evidence of Advent appeared in modern Spain and Europe (Hispania and Gaul). Scholars believe that at that time Advent was a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of the Epiphany.
By the 5th century in northern Italy, churchgoers observed weeks-long spiritual preparation for the feast day of Christmas. That meant fasting, prayer, and reflection on the teachings of the Church.
Council of Tours of 567 ordered monks to fast every day in the month of December until Christmas. Yikes! Glad we don’t do that in the Feline Cloister! I don't think Benedict would have approved with his leanings toward moderation on account of the faint-hearted (RB 48.9)
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The Origin of Christmas as a Feast Day
Bottom line – Christmas celebrated on December 25 took some time.
During the first two centuries of Christianity there was strong opposition to recognizing birthdays of martyrs or even of Jesus.
Numerous Church Fathers offered sarcastic comments about the pagan custom of celebrating birthdays. Their view was that saints and martyrs be honored on the days of their martyrdom—their true “birthdays,” from the church’s perspective.
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Early Roots of Christmas Celebrations
Early celebrations of Christmas are thought to have derived from Roman and other European festivals that marked the end of the harvest, and the winter solstice. December 25 was celebrated in the Roman and pagan world as the birth of the sun god Sol or Mithra.
According to early Roman history the birth of Jesus Christ was set on December 25 in the 4th century. But Christmas was not considered a major feast in the Church until the 7th century.
The following quote on Christmas feasting from poet and writer of hymns, Venantius Fortunatus (c. 530 – 609), should have a familiar ring even today…
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“Today I celebrated the festive day, on which the holy birth of the Lord came upon this earth.
First from all directions came cheese – then came rounded wooden salvers – a dish adorned on all sides bore meat and fowl – who in a moment offer food for all on your lips, and from all."
Meow! Does all that sound familiar to our ears today? Food, food, and more food!!
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Venantius Fortunatus: Personal and Political Poems. ed. and
trans.by Judith W. George. Liverpool University Press 1995.
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Br. Ricky's Conclusion
Not a scholar, I will cautiously offer a few reasons why I think Advent and Christmas were not mentioned in the Rule.
1. Christmas was not a major feast at the time of Benedict.
2. The early church considered Easter as most important.
3. Benedict's liturgical schedule as well as his schedule for meals is guided by Easter.
4. While the laity celebrated I think that Benedict would have found such celebrations not in keeping with monastic austerity and the single-minded search for God.
What do you think?
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St. Benedict of
Malling Abbey. England
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It's Time to Become a Worldwide Novice!
Calling all feline lovers of St. Benedict and their humans!
Join the Feline Cloister as a Worldwide Novice! Br Ricky, Novice Master, will conduct a "Zoom interview" with each feline who joins the Cloister. For a sample, tap here and meet Novice Pearl of Memphis, Tennessee.
Felines and humans will also learn about the Rule through special monthly emails sent only to the Worldwide Novice community. For the latest Monday Mewsing from Br. Ricky, click here.
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Visit the Feline Cloister | |
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Meet the members of the Order of St. Benedict-Feline (OSB-F).
They will mew the fine points of The Rule of St. Benedict.
Explore articles written by Cloister Feline Benedictines and meet all the novices!
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Their mission is to teach felines and humans about The Rule of St. Benedict and how the Rule can help us find peace and joy
in daily life.
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I hope you enjoyed and learned from this issue of the Mewsletter. There's a lot more on the website for Benedictine living.
All in the Feline Cloister send their blessings to you for a beautiful Advent as we await the coming of the Christ Child and his Second Coming.
Your Feline Friend and Companion,
Br. Ricky, OSB-F
Novice Master and Mewsletter Editor
One of my favorite Advent hymns is "Lo, he come with clouds descending."
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