Friday, February 26, 2010

Which monastic order fits you best? - Carthusian

http://images.artnet.com/artwork_images_289_444194_franzludwig-catel.jpg

Result: Carthusian

Devoted to simplicity, self-denial, and silence, this order was founded by Saint Bruno of Cologne in 1084, includesboth monks and nuns, and has its own Rule, called the Statutes, which combines elements of both the eremitical and cenobitic life. A Carthusian monastery might best be described, paradoxically, as a community of hermits. There are no abbeys and each monastery is headed by a prior and is populated by choir monks and lay brothers. The monk lives most of his day in the hermitage: he meditates, prays the Liturgy of the Hours on his own, eats his meals, studies and writes (Carthusian monks have published scholarly and spiritual works), works in his garden or at some manual trade.

http://www.nicks.com.au/upload/image/image_200721713224141834.jpg

The Carthusian monk leaves the cell daily only for three prayer services in the monastery chapel, including the community Mass, and occasionally for conferences with his superior. Additionally, once a week, the community members take a long walk in the countryside during which they may speak; on Sundays and feast-days a community meal is taken in silence. The Carthusians do not engage in work of a pastoral or missionary nature. Unlike most monasteries, they do not have retreatants and those who visit for a prolonged period are people who are contemplating entering the monastery. As far as possible, the monks have no contact with the outside world. Their contribution to the world is their life of prayer, which they undertake on behalf of the whole Church and the human race.

3 comments:

Terry Nelson said...

That is a really cool quiz - turns out I'm Carmelite.

Anonymous said...

Woo Hoo, Terry's a Carmelite--like me :) The top picture is beautiful.

Cathy_of_Alex said...

God bless the Carthusians. We'd be dead without their offerings of prayer on our behalf