Saint Meinrad
home about us location & map news events contact us job postings
Programs scholar shop library alumni giving
monastery abbey press caskets
Monastery: Vocations
Monastery Overview
About the House
Monks' Happenings
Visit Us
Prayer Schedule & Tours
Vocations
Overview
Archabbot's Welcome
Benedictine Tradition
Apostolates
FAQs
Novice & Junior Profiles
Senior Profiles
Rule for Beginners
The 20-Minute Novitiate
Monastic Observance
Becoming a Monk
About the House
Overnight Visit
Contact Us
Retreats
Guest House
Benedictine Oblates
Liturgical Music
Monte Cassino Shrine
Necrology
Screen Savers
FAQ's

The 20-Minute Novitiate

Written by Fr. Harry Hagan,OSB, novice and junior master of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

Monastic life can be described in many ways, because of its various rich ideas and practices. Here I have selected six hallmarks of the monastic life in order to present an overview of the life.

1. Regula et Traditio – The Rule and the Tradition
2. Stabilitas – Stability
3. Conversatio – Fidelity to the Monastic Life
4. Obedientia – Obedience
5. Ora et Labora – Prayer and Work
6. Hospitalitas – Hospitality

Regula et Traditio – The Rule and the Tradition

The Rule of Benedict is a written document, and most communities have a written statement that defines their identity and purpose and order. Nations have constitutions. Religions have scriptures. Many institutions today have mission statements. The written document typically defines the core values and processes for the group. In Latin, this is the regula.

The tradition is the living memory of how the written document has been interpreted and adapted over time to different situations. The Latin word traditio means that which is “given or handed over.” Often the tradition is captured by stories. Both the written document and the living memory are needed for the ongoing life of a community.

One can neither understand nor create a monastic community only by reading the Rule, the written document. Every book needs a community of interpreters to understand and live the written text. Without a text, a community is left to the whim of the present. Both the written text and the tradition embodied in a living community are necessary. Tradition, then, is very important to us at Saint Meinrad.

Next: Stabilitas


 
Programs Overview
2008 Inauguration
Priesthood Formation
Hispanic Ministry
Institute for Priests
Certificates in Supervision
Lay Degree
Permanent Deacon
Sabbaticals
Youth and Young Adult Formation
Registrar
Group Accommodations
Order Products
Contact Us
Library Overview
Library Resources
Catalog
Databases
Journals
InterLibrary Loan
Research Guides
My Library Account
Policies & Hours
Hours
Contact Us
What Your Gift Can Do
Ways To Give
Recognition Societies
Capital Campaign
Brick Pavers
Make a Gift Now
Request Free Info
Contact Us
Monastery Overview
About the House
Monks’ Happenings
Prayer Schedule & Tours
Vocations
Retreats
Guest House
Benedictine Oblates
Liturgical Music
Monte Cassino Shrine
Necrology
Screen Savers
FAQs
Visit Us