Christmas 2009
not give up!
"If we do not desist, at the time we shall reap" Gal
6.9
Dear brothers and sisters,
Less than a year by the General Chapter (October 2010), it is useful, even necessary, remember that that is required speaker at the General Chapter (see Dir No. 208) "... have the Chapter Fathers to seek what God wants of them according to the charism of St. Bernard Tolomei and the Spirit of the Rule." This research can not be concluded only on the discussion of sources, the characteristics of our Fathers, the knowledge of our traditions, but should result in embodying our time and our language, intuition, divine grace received by the our founders.
In other words, it is personally and awaken our charism of the monks of Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto, because the charisma does not work by itself, is not the magic wand that alone, invoking the name, quickly and effectively solves everything.
's charisma does not act alone, as the sap of the trees began to give life when spring awakens, it must be the charisma to awaken in us, in Community, Congregation, prompted by the grace and the gift of the canonization of our founder Saint Bernard Ptolemies.
We may want to keep this as it describes the "charisma" in a document of the Holy See: "The charism of the Founders is revealed as the experience of the Spirit transmitted to their disciples to be lived, safeguarded, deepened and constantly developed in harmony with the Body of Christ continually growth ". (Mutuae Relationes No. 2)
be incorporated in our monastic life of everyday items that make up the charisma, and give life with the same charisma our identity and our being the monks of Santa Maria di Monte Oliveto, ie, the charisma to be lived and implemented for each of us feel more motivated.
Living the dream a reality, charisma does not mean long-gone (to gather and recall the origins of charisma), but get out of the past, or rather, the same sources of our strength, energy and vitality with which our Founding Fathers have received and lived. Awakening the charisma means that everything we do is characterized by a clear and defined identity, from a specific lifestyle.
Awakening the charism is to put ourselves in the mind of our founder, adapting to the circumstances of our times! This requires a double commitment: to know better and love the charisma, knowledge and ability to exploit the current situation, making them conducive warning, just to realize the charisma.
Awakening the charisma commits us to propose anew the enterprising initiative, creativity and holiness of St. Bernard Tolomei and his first companions, in response to the signs of the times emerging in today's world, to present situations and circumstances in which gather our communities.
E 'must, therefore, that once again we will recover the Our charism (= regain a term used by the Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life, Franc Rode SE). How?
not just a time of learning, and in these years was not only achieved a lot, but this survey only three basic texts: regarder Le Rocher, FATHERS OLIVETANI (and Qiqajon), S. Bernardo Tolomei and the Spirit of the monastic family of Monte Oliveto (2nd ed). The transmission of a charism is a vital fact, not an indoctrination or an exchange of views. It is to be in communion is acceptance, harmony of hearts, expectations and values.
should, at a later time, a process of assimilation which then develops at the time of transmission, especially on the part of superiors and trainers.
S. Bernardo Tolomei, opening action of the Spirit knew and welcomed the charism, lived it and passed it. This experience of the Spirit did not leave indifferent the person of Bernardo, his experience was so strong to share with his companions and then pass it on to his children.
Our San Bernardo Tolomei has left fall in love with Christ and transmitted to us the commitment to extend the love of Christ not only to others in their community, but of the entire congregation.
Well, as Sun said George M. Picasso in a speech in Rome in preparation for the canonization "All those who have studied the charisma proper to the Congregation Olivetana within OSB, et spiritus gratia charisma that would otherwise have stressed the function of communion in the alternation of the charges, often in the general chapters, promoting mutual understanding, but above all in charity to preserve and enhance (exact titles of the oldest constitutions) ... here is the message and at the same time warning that our fathers have bequeathed, all focusing on communion and caritas. "
"Be consistent even you, your hearts,
for the coming of the Lord is near"
Gc 5, 8
Life of Monaco, as of every consecrated life must be one that develops in love, because love was created (VC 20 p.95). Now the consecrated person is in the Charism a safe way to be a gift of herself, therefore, to live the charism of love for Christ in a radical way. This makes us realize that we do not know the charisma with theoretical knowledge, or to have a cultural background, but to live it and put it into practice.
"The progressive conformed to Christ is accomplished in conformity with the charism of the Institute and the provisions to which the cleric belongs, each has its own spirit, appearance, purpose and tradition. Religious deepen their union with Christ in a manner consistent with these elements "(EE, n ° 46).
In this way we give a loving response to God's gift, the implementation of the charisma we express our love to the Lord, a love that can not be reduced to sentimentality and subjectivism, enemies of the consecrated life, so we can also overcome the wear and tear , where the daily fidelity to the Rule and the charisms, it is subject.
It 's true, we note a significant gap between the ideal vision and the concrete implementation, often in our communities and ourselves there is no momentum, no waiting, no hope, and even less creativity . We are committed to do to come out in the new community. There remembers the past and see to it that instead of a charismatic force must be true, lively, and incisive in our own time and not only in the past. We are few, weak, come with age. We need to move from this experience of helplessness, hopelessness and distrust, if not fear, to bring out the power of God is for us here today to accept the challenge that confronts the reality of charisma, to embody with meaningful and effective ways, developing his vitality.
The monastic life today, as all the consecrated life, faces the great challenge of secularism that leads to hedonism and squandering is characterized by the individualistic narcissism.
"authentic resumption of the consecrated life can not have if not trying to lead a fully evangelical without putting anything before the one love, but finding in Christ and in his word the very essence of every charism of the founder. " (Benedict XVI 27/09/2005)
"You can not live if there is a charisma to his father, filial love, intimacy and trust, sharing of the critical steps and gestures with his brothers. Each
Monaco, being called to holiness, is called to make an experience of the Spirit among the disciples of Christ, taking as a paradigmatic example of the essential elements of the experience of the Spirit of our Holy Founder. San Bernardo Tolomei has given us the basic inspiration, the way we meet Christ and to look and apply the Gospel, to feel and experience the mystery of the Church, the mystical body, and consequently, his way of looking at reality to read and to respond to the demands of the times. The act of foster care that our brothers of Monte Oliveto, and the Priories connected to it, made May 4, 1347 our founder, St. Bernard, it makes sense to us today his passion and his love for Christ.
Living the charisma to love Christ, to respond with our whole being to the gift that God has given us, that of the monastic vocation. Living the charisma to express their love. Charisma is therefore like a guide to answer the call of God in this way corresponds to the grace given to us, according to the specific form of life that the Lord has chosen for us in our congregation and in this way for each of us to live the charism of Monte Oliveto is the best way and safer to attain holiness.
Our reference point is the person of Christ - "Nihil amori Christi praeponere" - with its nuances with which Bernardo Tolomei loved Christ and in Him, so that the brothers want them all joined together with the abbot Monte Oliveto. And we left this testimony to his charisma.
In the Church, the Church
In our busy assimilation of the charism of St. Bernardo, do not forget, and the more neglected, its ecclesial dimension. Charisma is a gift from God for the Church. As our community today can testify to this charism in the Church and society? In the Middle Ages
Monaco was considered a testimonium fidei not because all the monks went to preach, to evangelize, but in most cases, their presence was enough to make this testimony practiced praedicatio suit. So today, without ostentation, without speaking much, without too many brochures or similar things, the community that lives its communion in charity can certainly build an attraction for many, too many families suffering from divisions, quarrels, infidelity, violence, all at the expense of innocent victims who are children. Communion in love is felt, not arguments. This praedicatio suit does not even come out of the monastery that monaco, are realities that we feel, almost without realizing it. Think of "How do you love him" the first Christians. Amazed the world at that time. The beneficial effect will have a small area of \u200b\u200birradiation in the small field of the local church, but no less significant. On the other hand you should be aware of its limited possibilities, that the grace of God, however, can lead to unexpected results even from us.
and society? In part that is As already mentioned for the Church, we must recognize that the relationship monastery-world remains more difficult to perceive in everyday life. But the speech is another case of particularly serious events. We must not look too far. It 'just take a piece of the 2009 Easter message of Benedict XVI for a bleak picture of the precariousness of today, those poor state at the time of our holy founder could be dramatically represented by the plague.
This diagnosis of the papal message: "In a time of global food shortages, financial turmoil, poverty, old and new, worrying about climate change, violence and misery that forcing many to leave their homelands in search of a less precarious survival, ever-present threat of terrorism, of growing fears over the future, it is urgent to rediscover prospects grounds for hope. No one draw back from this peaceful battle initiated by the "Resurrection of Christ" (Rom. Oss., 14-15 April 2009).
As we emphasized our brother George Sun meeting mentioned above: "Even the monastic community Olivetan can or will hold back, always in relation to the situation in which the monastery is single quote, or at least with very specific purpose. The grace of communion, charity, may from time to time suggest which works of Christian charity or support may be undertaken. "
As children of San Bernardo Tolomei we can not remain quiet, or worse, indifferent to our monasteries, in case such emergencies are knocking at our doors. You will not need to leave the cloisters - is an extreme measure -. We will do so in any case that the brothers proved we feel close, we are next, according to our possibilities, with our prayers and our sympathy.
For thus says the high el'eccelso:
"In a high and holy place I dwell, but with the crushed and dejected, to revive the
spirit of the humble and revive the hearts of the oppressed "Is
57, 15
operational consequences
What does living the charism to love Christ? We start the preparation for the upcoming General Chapter 2010. There is no need to stress that our Constitution does not provide a "vacatio" service, compliance and witness in the approach of the end-of-time! I am thoroughly convinced, along with Fathers Definitors that the approach of the General Chapter is to highlight the observance of our laws. I live appeal to all our superiors, by virtue of their office and their paternity, as well requires n ° 114 Constitutions, to excite the Brothers, to compete in the observance of "style" of monastic life, second to none! Compete in the punctuality and participation in the community acts in love, mutual forgiveness, to seek what unites over what divides it. We feel encouraged by this observation by Antonio da Barga: "not long after the century rigettaron0o clothes and dressed in a suit most honorable deposited's footwear clogs, and so were trying to embrace more and more poverty. Assiduous in prayer, with an extreme tension of silence, we give praise to God with fervor, celebrating, in a chapel that they were built as best they could worship God. " The proximity of the General Chapter
not cause a weakening in our life of prayer, work, fellowship, hospitality, anything! But everyone, even encouraged by the example and teaching, from the deepening of the word of God that each must give superior to its brethren, it is inconceivable that the Superior never let a spiritual commentary!
Wait for the General Chapter is not waiting for Godot, but rather involves an even stronger commitment in our monastic life in order to share the General Chapter of the difficulties and problems along with the joys and hopes of a life stretching looking for anything that God puts love for Christ. Therefore, in recent months, we all live with even more fervor, the call and the monastic vocation as a service for the glory of God and the good of the Church.
superiors even more to have a heart that Opus Dei is celebrated in an exemplary way and attended by all, the monks strive to have a job to deliver on their skills and gifts, so that, wherever possible, be rewarded , for their support and that of their community, without resorting to temporary teaching or pastoral ways and means less suited to the monastic life. Strive with all means in the community because there is a relationship of true brothers and sisters who prevent altogether. Are also open hospitality.
The monks have at heart the good maintenance of the monastery, to be thrifty in need, and always grateful for what the officer in charge can give. Are respectful of our brothers and sisters, lay people, introducing them in personal and community issues. Do not leave the monastery for trivial reasons, and after Compline no one be allowed to exit or enter strangers without a clear and explicit consent of a superior.
The monastery is permeated by silence, or rather from taciturnitas, and meditation that promotes union with the Lord opening attentive to his word. For this he is a moderate use of media Social and electronic eradicated is especially pernicious habit of murmuring with which he has to say about everything and everyone and everything it builds nothing divide. Ostro Each monastery is marked by the opening of hospitality (see Summary of Observance of Monte Oliveto No. 5). "Those who enter the monastery you looking for a spiritual oasis where you can learn to live as true disciples of Jesus in serene and steadfast fellowship, welcoming the guests as well as Christ himself (cf. RB 53.1). And 'this is the witness that the Church asks of monasticism, even in our time. " (Benedict XVI - 20 Nov 2008)
Last but not least, in the approach of the General Chapter all, both individually and as a community should strive to receive what God wants each of us and our community. If all the monasteries we feel committed and united in a particular amongst us in implementing these doctrinal and operational directions, then in preparation for active and dynamic in the General Chapter, we can talk more realistically dell'unum corpus, the sister communities, love for the Mother House, and later, the aid that we each and every community should be given to those who will be chosen as a witness, unity, communion and the development of our monastic family. Dear
superiors, dear brother, the moment that we live in is very delicate in some area, even critical, but it is also full of many opportunities: it requires only our willingness to be shaped by grace, which does not repress the past, says this and opens us to the future with hope ; grace and mercy that there rankings for our absence, but it blends in the great mosaic where the beauty is the fusion of all of us, with their differences. God forbid that this mosaic is complete in all its pieces, and bear the image of each of us, in a reciprocal and close relationship of communion: a vision of the Holy Founder of the scale that united heaven and earth, by virtue of ' units that existed between the brothers, all aiming to live the experience of Christ in the style of St. Paul, "is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me."
What's Greetings Christmas 2009?
year ending was marked by two events that remain in the history of our congregation, and not only: the sanctification of our holy founder, April 26, and the solemn conclusion of the fourth centenary of the canonization of St. Francesca Romana: October 18: solemn procession to the Imperial Forums in Rome and 19 to 21 November the International Symposium on Santa Francesca Romana.
Filled with gratitude, we all bring to the cave of Bethlehem, celebrating the great love of the Father, who so loved to give us his Son. The birthplace of Jesus testifies that the Father's love is still here, is never interrupted. A light shines on us, that light shines even more the sanctification of our Saint Bernard and the bright gift of his charisma, which is why I focused on this Christmas letter to talk about this subject enough depth, and its implementation practice.
"A light will shine upon us" is the light of Christ that makes even the brightest of the events this year. We can not remain closed in on ourselves, but we need to open up even more hope and joy.
This is my special Christmas wish this year. The bright star is that Christ never disappears from the heavens of our lives, from the skies of our congregation, from the skies of humanity.
the shepherds keeping watch by night, and gaze upon the dawn will give us a sense of history, the thrill of expectation, joy and the power of hope. All together, monks, nuns and sisters of the family Olivetana on their way to Bethlehem, regardless of nation or continent where you will find our monastery, there is the source of our communion. To Jesus, in his cave we want to bring the gifts of the brethren and sisters, their joy, their faith, their sufferings and their hopes, and above all, their aspiration to holiness, assured that the love of Christ will enhance and refine everything. This is my wish for a Merry Christmas Blessing 2009.
a wish that you, dear bodies, and on my behalf to all Oblates and Oblate, so dear to us all. The blessing
good omen, in this time of preparation for the General Chapter which we live, is mainly due to the brothers of the Preparatory Commission: Abate Diego, Charles Abbot, Sun Jonah, Dom Gregory M. Botelho, Stephen M. Brina and its President, Sun M. Donato Jordan, that they may be diligent tools and mediators for a dynamic and accurate preparation of the entire congregation at this decisive event.
+ MICHELANGELO M. Tiribilli OLIV
OSB Abbot General of the Benedictine Congregation OLIVETANI
thank P. Abbot General to the beautiful pastoral letter for Christmas and his blessing, extended to us Oblates.
is the manifestation of a sincere and affectionate father who continues to advise their children so that its legitimate and inevitable concern, but at the same time encourages them to overcome their difficulties and their limits, keeping their eyes fixed not only the large initial grace of their calling, but also to aid and comfort that this grace can give them renewed in time, along with the ubiquitous paternal protection of the holy founder, the fellowship of prayer and charity of the whole community Olivetan and whole body of the Church of Christ.
Of course I feel like oblate implicitly involved in your preparation for the important effort of the General Chapter in prayer and in an effort to improve my daily activities according to the objectives and duties of my state, certain that you also do not forget support us with your prayer as "little brothers" of the congregation also called to holiness.
The abbot is not hidden and does not hide the dangers, fears and difficulties of the present time, both for the actualization of sanctification, that for the achievement of that charity as strongly desired goal which requires prayer, respect, humility and patience to every human community in and out of a convent.
This healthy realism is further encouragement to sincere and personal verification effort to raise the level of expectations of both individual and community ownership.
In light of all this, I would submit to the Reverend Abbot my personal thanks for your Christmas letter as real as his father, and to wish him for the New Year 2010 all the grace, strength, moral and physical help of the Spirit Santo for the objectives that both cares for his community and for the whole Church.
oblate of the monastery of St. Olivetan
Francesca Romana Rome
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