Hello! My name is Anarchat. I am a 9-year, 10-month old male cat. I welcome you from my heart.
On my Zoom call with Novice Master Br. Ricky I shared why I want to join the Feline Cloister. First, I want to be even better friends with my housemate Worldwide Novice China. He is soooo pretty. When I’m a Novice we can be Benedictine pals. I used to have other cats in my former household, but they all went to heaven. I was the last one and was so lonely. I mewed that it is now so good to be with another cat.
A second reason for becoming a Novice is prayer. I like to pray with my human, Amma Cynthia. Br. Ricky clapped his paws. With a broad feline smile he opened his well-worn copy of The Rule of St. Benedict in Mew and read this.
“Listen readily to holy reading, and devote yourself often to prayer.” RB 4.55-56
Finally, I want to join the Feline Cloister because my Amma keeps talking about Benedictine hospitality. I want to learn all about this. With a broad feline smile, Br. Ricky wrote something in a little notebook with his tiny green pencil. “Hospitality is a very important Benedictine practice. Listen.”
“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, who said: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt 25:35). Proper honor must be shown to all, especially to those who share our faith” (Gal 6:10) and to pilgrims.” RB 53.1-2
He explained that as Benedictine felines we are also to offer hospitality to our housemates.”
“Among themselves they show the pure love of sisters and brothers; to God, reverent love; to their prioress or abbot, unfeigned and humble love.” RB 72.8-10
I burst forth with a loud purr. I can do all that Benedict asks here! I love my Amma and China, too.
Anarchat’s housemate Novice China
I shared my outstanding personality characteristics. I am mellow, affectionate, and friendly. Novice China mews that I have a soft mew but a loud purr. Br. Ricky assured me that these track with what Benedict asks of us. “And” he continued, “you’ll easily embrace the Benedictine vow of obedience. All very unusual for a feline. Benedictine obedience asks you to listen to other cats and to your Amma. Then you respond to their needs.”
I purred again and mewed with energy, “I can do that! After all, my Amma listened to my needs and brought me into her wonderful home.” I noticed a tear in one of Br. Ricky’s eyes.
Illus. Cat Scratching Post with
Winnie performing acrobatic feats of daring
There are so many things that I like……to flop down on the floor and get a belly rub; have my fur brushed …cuddle with Amma Cynthia …play with China (a little romp) …chase the laser; kick the kicker toys; scratch the cactus post …take naps …eat …go up and down the stairs.
When I finished the list, I was breathless. This brought a round of feline giggles from Br. Ricky.
I admitted that I am certainly not a perfect feline. There are a few things that I don’t like. I don’t like to have my ears touched. I get testy because it hurts. My ears are cauliflowered from a long-ago bullying by another cat. “No worries for you here, Anarchat,” Br. Ricky mewed with enthusiasm. “Benedict is adamant against violence in the Cloister.”
“In the monastery every occasion for presumption is to be avoided, and so we decree that no one has the authority to excommunicate or strike any member of the community unless given this power by the prioress or abbot.” RB 70.1-2
He then assured me that neither he nor Amma Jane would ever condone striking another member or bullying. Benedict explains how we are to treat others.
“Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else.” RB 4.20-21
I sported a big smile and gave a thumbs up.
Illus. Feline thumbs up
I want to join the Feline Cloister to help my Amma, too. She needs to learn freedom from needless worry and how to rest and relax as well as us cats. “Amma Cynthia needs to trust God like we trust her!” mewed with a heart full of love.
Br. Ricky wiped a tear from one eye with his paw. “Beautiful, Novice Anarchat. You are well on the way to becoming a Benedictine feline.” Now my eyes filled with tears. I am so glad that I am a novice in the Feline Cloister.
My favorite verses from the Rule:
“What is more delightful than this voice of the Holy One calling to us? See how God’s love shows us the way of life.” Prologue 19-20
Following St. Benedict’s instruction on teaching more by example than by words (RB 2.12), Novice Anarchat models for his Amma how to rest and relax.