St. Arbucks Chapel – April 2, 2025
Upon request, I am posting this slide again. This is really important for Lent. We need to always go back to our essence if we are to be and become all God would desire for us individually and collectively.
My time in Oregon this past weekend was really life-giving in a multitude of ways. The time I spent at the Benedictine Monastery in St. Angel, Oregon was way beyond what I could have imagined. The silence was difficult but when you are around people, even if you don’t speak with them, it helps to get through the sacred silence. Also, participating in the 5 times of prayer throughout the day with the monks was challenging yet so rich. The monks sing all of the Psalms throughout the month and you stand for all of the singing. I had to learn how to chant Gregorian style but it certainly does bring the Psalms to life. I spent a lot of time studying in the library in addition to praying and focused in particular on a book of which I recently became aware: The Restoration Project: A Benedictine Path to Wisdom, Strength and Love.
Here is a summary:
Exploring Saint Benedict’s twelve steps of humility, Christopher H. Martin reveals how this ancient guide leads to wisdom, strength, and love. Martin, an Episcopal priest, invites us to imagine how we are like Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, The Last Supper, which through years of restoration has had its beauty and clarity revealed as a masterpiece. The Restoration Project weaves prayer, poetry, and art with contemporary stories of brokenness, joy, and discovery to lead you and your group to a place of spiritual renewal. The book is a cornerstone of a national initiative, also called The Restoration Project.
It was very serendipitous to read this book while at a Benedictine Abbey. I have many more reflections to share with you in the weeks to come.