Friends of the Feline Cloister
Are you interested in learning about The Rule of St. Benedict but are not a feline?
Would you like to help your human have more peace and joy in life?
Do you have a feline friend or housemate who is a Worldwide Novice and feel left out?
Members of the Feline Cloister are delighted to now include you in their Benedictine family as
A Friend of the Feline Cloister!
This new category of belonging is made just for you.
Become a Friend of the Feline Cloister!
The Feline Cloister is inviting all non-felines to join the Feline Cloister as a Friend of the Feline Cloister. All non-felines are included from canines and gerbils to fish, ponies and cows (yes, cows!)
If you wish, jump to any one of these sections:
Why Become a Friend of the Feline Cloister?
How do I become a Friend of the Feline Cloister?
Why Become a Friend of the Feline Cloister?
As a Feline Cloister Friend you will
Receive special attention and instruction from Novice Master, Br. Ricky, OSB-F.
Learn from Monday Mewsings, a monthly newsletter. Here Amma, Br. Ricky and other felines of the Cloister present instruction on The Rule of St. Benedict to the Worldwide Novices and their humans. We are opening this to all animals and their humans.
For a sample of Monday Mewsings, please jump here.
Be a friend to and part of a special community dedicated to following Jesus and his teachings through the wisdom of St. Benedict.
Access the Worldwide Novice Corner for Novice Instruction and Novice Activities, both rooted in The Rule of St. Benedict. This special section is for Worldwide Novices and their humans only. But we have now expanded this to Friends of the Feline Cloister and their humans.
Support the Feline Cloister through encouragement and prayer for the Cloister Benedictines and feline novices.
How do I become a Friend of the Feline Cloister?
To reach the application form, tap your paw, claw, hoof, or fin here.
Winston the Chip wants to become a
Friend of the Feline Cloister
(Could this be dangerous for Winston??)
Br. Ricky is delighted to welcome new
Friends of the Feline Cloister
The Decision to Expand the Feline Cloister
Amma and Sr. Nikki, the Cloister Porter, had discussed including non-felines in the Cloister. Sr. Nikki said that she felt so sad when she had to turn away non-felines. And Br. Ricky shared that he had received queries from canines, a couple of gerbils, and a chipmunk. “They want to learn about the Rule of St. Benedict, too.” This was to be an important decision, and the Rule states…
“As often as anything important is to be done in the monastery, the prioress or abbot shall call the whole community together and explain what the business is; and after hearing the advice of the members, let them ponder it and follow what they judge the wiser course.” RB 3.1-2
So, Amma called the community together – the three Benedictine felines – Br. Ricky and Sisters Espy and Nikki – as well as the Resident and Worldwide Novices. This was a hybrid meeting with some felines in person and the Worldwide Novices on Zoom.
The meows were rich and thoughtful. And all the mews were acknowledged, especially those of the youngest in the community, Novice Little Jenny. The Rule explains why.
“The reason why we have said all should be called for counsel is that the Spirit often reveals what is better to the younger.” RB 3.3
Novice Scholar Little Jenny loves doing research
Little Jenny Unpacks U.S. Households with Pets
Novice Scholar Little Jenny researched U.S. households with animal housemates. Here’s what she found.
- 1% of U.S. households have felines. 42.2 million households.
- 5% of U.S. households have canines. 59.8 million households
- Around 6.7 million households in the U.S. have small animals such as hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice, and ferrets.
- About 67% of American households have at least one kind of pet.
“What animal do you think is the most popular pet in the U.S.?” Novice Little Jenny had asked. The responses brought top billing for the feline with a few brave members reluctantly mewing, canine.
“All wrong,” grinned Little Jenny. “Freshwater fish are the most popular pet in the United States, with 139.3 million of them kept as pets. There are 11.3 million households with fish!”
Novice Georgette
This caused a chorus of surprised mews, meows and wide-eyed stares of surprise. Worldwide Novice Georgette wondered about the number of households with co-habited fish and felines. No statistics were available on this, perhaps for good reason.
Little Jennie reminded the felines that some of the Worldwide Novices have canine housemates who could feel left out. “Some may be in true need of Benedictine wisdom and practice. Are we to keep them from learning about the Rule?”
Chordata (phylum) and Vertebrata (subphylum), i.e., “Fish,” offer lots of potential for Friends of the Feline Cloister
Worldwide Novices with Canine Housemates
Novice Cider with her housemate Frankie
Novice Emma’s housemate Topper
Novice Mr. Pippin Marmalade’s housemate Emmy Louise
Novice Angelo’s Sicilian outdoor mate, Dante, a wise and distinguished Italian Maremmano-Abruzzese canine.
The Felines Opt For Inclusivity
The response was enthusiastic. All animals need to learn how The Rule of St. Benedict can help them in daily life. And their humans need help, too.
Cloister members also want to become more inclusive as a community. Diversity is good and can help each member grow. And most important, St. Benedict asks them to be hospitable and open-hearted.
“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
And so, Friends of the Feline Cloister came into being. A big decision had been made and every feline saw that it was good. And they rested and napped on that day.
WWN Mr. Pippin Marmalade napping with loving housemate Emmy Louise
Welcome Friends of the Feline Cloister!
On behalf of the Feline Cloister, we welcome the following who have promised to learn about The Rule of St Benedict,
to be with us and with each other in community through the internet, and to prayerfully support the Feline Cloister.
Peanut – Jersey City, New Jersey
Hello! My name is Peanut Elizabeth Anne, but you can just call me Peanut. I am a 6-year-old female dog. I am so excited to be the very first Friend of the Feline Cloister! To read all about the Friends of the Feline Cloister, tap on the link below. But then come...