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History of Benedictine Life
Imitating Christ
From the earliest days of Christianity, believers have sought to experience God's presence in their lives by imitating the life of Jesus Christ, as it is revealed to us in the Gospels. Some have even voluntarily denied themselves the joys of marriage and children, of wealth and status, and of other goods treasured by society. Such persons are called ascetics.
Solitude
Toward the end of the third century, an increasing number of these ascetics chose to remove themselves from the cities and live in the wilderness, where, in quiet and solitude, they could concentrate their full energies on the search for God. This new form of ascetical life was called monasticism, and a man who lived such a life was called a monk, that is, one who lives in single-minded devotion to God.
Ora et Labora
Some monks came to be known as cenobites because they chose to live in fellowship with other monks in a sort of commune, called a coenobium or monastery. There they could assist one another in the search for God by sharing their talents, work and prayer, in the manner of the early Christians celebrated in the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. The Benedictine motto, ora et labora (pray and work), continues to reflect this life of sharing.
The Lisle Community
The monks who comprise St. Procopius Abbey are called Benedictines because they observe the Rule of St. Benedict, which was written over 1400 years ago to guide men and women in a life of worship and Christian service.
“Your marvelous works are beyond compare.”
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