Novice Life Practices ACTIVITY FOCUS: To bring the healing powerof gentleness to an individual, a situation or group In this Novice Activity you will reflect on where and/or with whom you can offer gentleness. You will develop a gentle plan to bring gentleness to...
Novice Activities
A Tool for Playing Catch Every Day – Tossing Words and Acts of Kindness
Purpose of the Tool To begin a spiritual discipline of playing catch every day, tossing words and acts of kindness. Background on the Tool One of my favorite verses in The Rule of St. Benedict is about kindness. In Chapter 31 – Qualifications of the Monastery...
Novice Activity – Bandage a Wound with Kindness
Hospitality ACTIVITY FOCUS: How the Rule of St. Benedict can help you offer kindness “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” – Steve Maraboli In this Novice Activity you will find Benedictine practices for your healing bandage of...
Novice Activity – Give a Gift: Create a Welcoming Space for Others
Hospitality ACTIVITY FOCUS: Practice a spacious and life-giving way to offer hospitality Fancy dishes and a perfectly dusted home are not required for this mode of hospitality. All it takes is an expanded heart and a willingness to use your eyes in a new way.Hello...
Novice Activity – Be Porter of Your Heart
Hospitality ACTIVITY FOCUS: Try the Three A's of Hospitality Sr. Nikki invites you to reflect on a challenging relationship. You then will explore how Benedictine hospitality can help you be a life-giving presence.Hello! Sr. Nikki here. Welcome to this Novice...
Novice Activity – Spiritual Wisdom from the 9th Century? Yes!
Benedictine Basics - Novice Life Practices - Patience ACTIVITY FOCUS: Learn about and try three spiritual practices written for monastics in the 9th century Ever wonder what it would be like to meet a monastic of centuries ago? Here’s a way to connect with...
Novice Activity – Nip Grumbling in the Bud – Try “PUP”
Novice Life PracticesACTIVITY FOCUS: How to stop grumbling right when it starts Are you a grumbler? Do you murmur about this or that? How do you feel when you grumble?Would you like to change all that?Read on to learn of a practice to put a lid on grumbling and have...
Novice Activity – A Benedictine Practice for the New Year or Anytime
Novice Activities (All)ACTIVITY FOCUS: Practice a specific verse from the Rule Would you like to refuel your Benedictine way of living? Cloister members offer a way to “drill down” on a specific verse to enrich your Benedictine practice in the New Year or...
Novice Activity – Moments Full of God’s Glory
Presence of GodACTIVITY FOCUS: Find moments full of God’s glory the Benedictine way As we navigate our busy lives we can miss moments filled with God’s presence and grace. Yet in our hearts God is our desire. Why not let Benedict and the Rule guide us to the joy of...
Novice Activity – Sharing Moments Filled with the Glory of God
Presence of GodACTIVITY FOCUS: Seeing and sharing moments when we see the Glory of God God’s glory is all around us. When we find these moments, we may be reluctant to share with others. Benedict gives us reasons for sharing as well as ways to share and to...