So many wonderful allegories have been penned to describe this Christian life! Pilgrim’s Progress, Hinds’ Feet on High Places, and Dante’s much-translated works, are but a few.
Why do we in Cor Unum explore the monasticism of devotion? One reason overrides all others . . . as professional monastics know, the very word denotes singularity, “mono,” as in “monocle,” “monogram,” and “monochord” (a one-stringed musical instrument.) What we do, we do alone. That’s why we congregate here, because our choices are lonely!
We aren’t meant to be alone, you say! So right, so true . . . that’s what church is for, you say! . . . right again! If you are here, even at the door of Cor Unum, you know that no amount of church can make up for the absence of personal devotion. What’s more, every minute of personal devotion will make the Church become more what it should be.
For monastics, those whose devotion fills many hours between Sundays and those who so wish their devotion filled more hours between Sundays, it is a wonderful thing to share the loneliness! The true “nun” will worship and pray, meditate upon the Word of God and direct her soul in paths of righteous joy and strength whether or not anyone else comes along. It’s nice, however, to meet fellow wayfarers on the road.
If you are a “real” monastic ... you know, like the princess and the pea! ... you know that there are those out there who don’t at present care two peas for any more devotion than they find in church, if that! “They” may not understand “us,” but “we” understand “them!” Devotion hurts! We have come to know…devotion heals!
There is one other important reason why we have passed through those heavy doors . . . we will take a look at it tomorrow, together¸ here in Cor Unum Abbey.
Senanque Abbey (Dormitory)
by permission
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