Hello, there! My name is Yuri and I live in historic Marietta, Georgia. I’m a 13 year-old male feline who is so excited to become a Worldwide Novice. I would like to join the Feline Cloister because I am really interested in praying.
When our Novice Master Br. Ricky heard this, he gave a delighted mew. and explained that I’m already following an important instruction in the Rule of St. Benedict. He took out his well-worn copy of The Rule of St. Benedict in Mew, pawed through the pages.. When he read this I gave a big purr!
“Listen readily to holy reading, and devote yourself often to prayer.”
RB 4.55-56
Another reason for joining the Feline Cloister is that I want to be able to go to heaven when I pass away…because, with all the praying my mom does, I am sure she will be there too. “Oh, Yuri,” meowed my kind Novice Master. “That is just lovely. You are a blessed feline to have such a mom.” Proudly I nodded my agreement. I noticed a little tear in his eye, and I had one, too.
Truth is, I am very attentive during prayer sessions. And I can even turn the pages of the prayer book! Sporting a feline grin Br. Ricky looked down and wrote something in his little notebook with a tiny green pencil. He told me about how important the Opus Dei, the Divine Office is in Benedictine prayer and life.
“We believe that the divine presence is everywhere and that in every place the eyes of God are watching the good and the wicked (Prov 15:3). But beyond the least doubt we should believe this to be especially true when we celebrate the divine office.” RB 19.1-2
I realized the importance of the Divine Office and mewed that I am very vocal when prayers are not recited correctly. This may have been mewed with too much self-importance. I have since learned that I must support “with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behavior.” RB 72.5 Maybe my mom is tired and finds it hard to be attentive. Another thought. Maybe she gets tired of me because I like to bother her.
I also like to sleep a lot and love to harass my sister Dilly. Chewing thoughtfully on his tiny green pencil Br. Ricky mewed, “Yuri, as a novice you’ll learn how important our relationships are as you search for God. You’ll learn ways of being understanding and compassionate with others, feline and human.”
Well, that may be difficult when certain things happen, or don’t happen. For example, I get annoyed when meals don’t arrive on time.
Novice Yuri following the Rule of St. Benedict.
“This, then, is the good zeal which members must foster with fervent love: They should each try to be the first to show respect to the other.” (Rom 12:10). RB 72.3-4
I shared that I also don’t like to take pills and am hoping that as a novice pills won’t be required. I have yet to find anything in the Rule that says I should take pills! And I don’t like to be held, even though my mom likes to have me close. At that Br. Ricky nodded, consulted the Rule, and read this.
“No monastics are to pursue what they judge better for themselves, but instead, what they judge better for someone else. Among themselves they show the pure love of sisters and brothers.” RB 72.7-8
I guess that means if I am to be a novice I’ll need to do some things that I don’t like. Another thing that I don’t like is to be alone. Br. Ricky gave me an understanding look. “You have come to the right place, Novice Yuri, for you are now part of a loving community. You will be able to call or Zoom with other novices and Friends of the Feline Cloister who will be your friend in Christ. You won’t be alone.” I gave a big purr, anticipating a Zoom call with a Benedictine sister or brother when my human is engaged in some activity.
At the end of our Zoom call I explained that I’ve come to the Feline Cloister, not just for myself, but for my mom, too. I am going to cull the Rule to find out what Benedict says about what I think my human needs to learn. . .
How important accurate times for meals are and that cats are very smart!
Br. Ricky’s looked at me wide-eyed. Then he chuckled and meowed, “Well Novice Yuri, we are smart. But Benedict is clear on an important quality of all Benedictines.”
“You must not be proud.” RB 4.34
I nodded, thinking that I have a lot to learn but I am ready.
My favorite verses from The Rule of St. Benedict:
“Are you hastening toward your heavenly home? Then with Christ’s help, keep this little rule that we have written for beginners. After that, you can set out for the loftier summits of the teaching and virtues we mentioned above, and under God’s protection you will reach them. Amen.” RB 73.8-9