The Ideal Of The Monastic Life Found In The Apostolic Age

The Ideal Of The Monastic Life Found In The Apostolic Age

Author: Morin, Germain, 1861-1946

Year: 1914

CONTENTS Preface - v-viii CHAPTER I VOCATION : COMPUNCTION OF HEART Compunction, first sign of monastic vocation, as of the call to the Christian life — In what it consists — Obstacles to be removed that it may be preserved in us — St. Gregory's "Four Arrows of the Spouse" — Compunction, the touchstone of monastic spirituality— Prayer for the gift of tears 1-15 CHAPTER II OBEDIENCE Instinct of obedience, first effect of compunction in the soul — The necessary disposition for religious vocation as for admission into the Church — Obedience assures unity and stability to our life — Special character of obedience, as understood by St. Benedict — The Abbot's place in the monastery — How he is to be regarded — Different degrees in obedience — Certain souls called by God to the highest 16-32 CHAPTER III PENANCE The first condition for salvation — What is meant by doing penance — Absolute ignorance of many persons on the subject of penitence — The place of this virtue in St. Benedict's Rule — That it must first of all be interior — Obedience, the monk's true cross — Exterior mortifications not excluded — Importance of offering no hindrance to the action of the Holy Spirit 33-48 CHAPTER IV