Dom Donald's Blog: PACHOMIUS

Thursday, 15 May 2008

PACHOMIUS

14th May. Fr. Anselm (Eamon McGrath) celebrated his 90th birthday. Abbot Raymond joined in the celebrations in Southend on Sea.
15th May. St. Pachomius. Fr. Hugh was on his favourite home-ground of communal monasticism as he spoke at the Community Mass. He could from experience of both the anchorite and of the communal style of the monastic vocation.

St.PACHOMIUS .

“To live in great simplicity,” said St. Pachomius, “and in wise ignorance, is exceedingly wise”.

– the basic facts: Father of Spiritual Communal Monastic Life Born ca. 292, Thebes, Egypt Died 9 May 348, Egypt Venerated in Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Churches Eastern Catholic Churches Oriental Orthodox Churches Lutheran Church Feast May 9 14 Pashons (Coptic Orthodox)Roman Catholic Benedictine celebrate his feast day on May 15. Attributes Hermit in a garb, Hermit crossing the Nile on the back of a crocodile
St. PACHOMIUS the Great of Upper Egypt, Abbot of Tabennisi
(Coptic: BAKHUM)IV Century

Born of pagan parents in the Upper Thebaid of Egypt, St. Pachomius (292-346) was a soldier before his baptism in 314. He became a hermit in 317. Called the Father of Cenobitic Monasticism, he wrote a rule that balances the communal life with the solitary life. The monks live in individual cells but work together for the common good of the community. Prayer is both corporate and private. He established his first monastery around 323 in Tabennisi. St. Pachomius died during a plague, and at the time of his death, he was the spiritual leader of about 3,000 monks.

St. Jerome translated the rule of St. Pachomius into Latin in 404, and only this translation survives. The rule of St. Pachomius influenced St. Benedict in preparing his own rule for monks. (Karen Rae Keck)
I his 3rd Sermon on St. Benedict, St. Aelred, himself the Abbot of a very large community at Rievaulx, echos the spirit of St. Pachomius. The monks together in their various occupations as tailors or cooks, as herders or woodwokers etc. -Brothers working together in unity.
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Bernard 900 at Citeaux

O.C.S.O. Order of Cistercians
of the the Strict Observance

Vocations Year 2012-2013

The ninth centenary of St Bernard’s entry into the Abbey of Cîteaux

Monday, 06 August 2012

On the occasion of the ninth centenary of St Bernard’s entry into the Abbey of Cîteaux, Dom Olivier, abbot of Cîteaux, has asked us to pass on the following invitation to all the members of the Order:

Our community is going to celebrate the ninth centenary of St Bernard’s entering Cîteaux (1112 or 1113?). To mark the event, we are setting up a campaign of prayer for vocations, from 20^th August 2012 to 20^th August 2013. We invite you to join us with this prayer:

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

Most gracious Father,
in setting up the New Monasteryour fathers followed the poor Christ into the desert.
Thus they lived the Gospel
by rediscovering the Rule of Saint Benedict in its purity.

You gave Bernard of Fontaine
the ability to make this new life attractive and appealing to others,
in the joy of the Holy Spirit.

Grant that we today, after their example,
may live our charism deeply
in a spirit of peace, unity, humility,
and above all, in the charity which surpasses all other gifts.
May men and women of our time
be newly called to follow the Gospel in monastic life,
in the service of the Church’s mission,
and in a world forgetful of You.

Remember Lord, Cîteaux,

where Bernard arrived with his companions.
May the brothers there
continue to live in the enthusiastic and generative spirit of the founders.

Remember all who live the Cistercian charism.

Remember all Cistercian communities,
those which are aging and those newly-born,
in all parts of the world, north and south, east and west.

Let them not lose courage in times of trial,
but turn to her whom Bernard called the Star of the Sea.

Holy Father,
from whom we have already received so much,
grant us again your blessing
that our communities may grow in numbers,
but above all in grace and in wisdom,
to your glory,
who are blessed for ever and ever.

Amen.

900 years, anniversary

Bernard arrived 1112-1113

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fra_bartolomeo_02_Vision_of_St_Bernard_with_Sts_Benedict_and_John_the_Evangelist.jpg