To those on retreat here and day visitors, we monks might seem like “carefree creatures,” who simply file into and out of church and refectory throughout the day, and not doing much else in between.
Behind the scenes, though, we all have jobs, some with more than one job in fact, requiring some hours of attention each day, including bookkeeping, cleaning, cooking, laundry, thank you letters to benefactors and tending to Mass requests, maintenance, handicrafts, running the Giftshop, caring for our flocks of sheep, chickens and our guard donkey, and the list goes on.
The unofficial Benedictine motto is “ora et labora,” pray and work. Both are important part of a balanced day “in the midst of desert beauty,” where we “live and move and have our being,” a phrase from the Acts of the Apostles (chapter 17, verse 28).
While no one is exempt from prayer or work, we carefully take into consideration age, abilities and health, striving for moderation, a important Benedictine trait, and not military precision that might expel those who “can’t keep up” with everyone else.
The warmer weather we are now experiencing is welcome, and while it’s not yet Spring, it can’t be that far off. If only we could be graced with rain or snow as well, to help the dry land of the great Southwest.
We keep you in our prayers and count on yours. Blessed week now in progress.
Abbot Christian and the monks
