Your blessing, please. My name is Starla and I welcome you just like a porter at the gate of the monastery. (RB 66.3) You see my Meowmy and Purrdaddy are both life professed Oblates. So, I have had lots of training in things Benedictine already while attending our Chapter meetings.
I shared with Novice Master Br. Ricky that I want to join the Feline Cloister because my pawrents are Oblates and I want to be like them. They are good examples for me and the other hooman Oblates they care for.
Br. Ricky clapped his paws. “And we are truly delighted to have you as a brand-new novice, Starla.” That made my little heart soar and I purred mightily.
I am a female feline and think that I am either 10 or 11 years old. It’s hard to remember which year it really is. I shared that I am a very lovable feline. And I LOVE to cuddle. Br. Ricky gave me a big feline smile, opened his well-worn copy of the Rule of St. Benedict in Mew, and meowed this verse.
“Among themselves [the monastics] show the pure love of sisters and brothers; to God, reverent love; to their prioress or abbot [and their human], unfeigned and humble love.” RB 72.8-10
“You are on the right Benedictine path, Novice Starla.” More purrs from me. I shared that I am also very accommodating when it comes to food and sleeping space. Br. Ricky explained my flexibility is very important in responding to the call of the vow or promise of obedience. I also like to make bread (i.e., knead) in Meowmy’s lap.
Another favorite activity is watching “bird tv.” My Meowmy feeds the birds on our back patio. I like to watch them and imagine I can play with them.
Br. Ricky asked what I don’t like. I responded quickly to that! I don’t like to be picked up! Br. Ricky nodded. “Many of us don’t like this. But our humans want to give us a big hug once in a while, and scoop us up off the floor. It makes them feel good. I offer this from the Rule for you to mews on.”
“No monastics are to pursue what they judge better for themselves, but instead, what they judge better for someone else.” RB 72.7
Now, that will be tough!
Another thing I don’t like is when strangers come into the house. Br. Ricky gave me another verse from the Rule to mew over.
“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, who said: I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matt 25:35). RB 53.1
Perhaps I can welcome strangers from under the bed?
I’m hoping that by becoming a Worldwide Novice and learning more about the Rule I can help my Meowmy learn two things:
not to yell at the TV when I am sleeping and to feed me on demand!
Br. Ricky nodded, pulled a tiny green pencil from behind his ear, and made a quick note in his little notebook.
Did I mew something controversial?
Bottom line, I am SO happy to be a part of the Worldwide Novice Community and am purring with delight at finally being a feline Novice!
Novice Starla doesn’t have a cellphone to take a picture of her Meowmy yelling at the TV.
She offers this illustration found in “Feline Today.”
My favorite verses from The Rule of St. Benedict:
“Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset.
But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.” Prologue 48-49