Hello, there! My name is Mojito and am a 3-year-old Havanese male canine. I am thrilled to become a Friend of the Feline Cloister.
To check out the Friends of the Feline Cloister, tap here.
When my own Mom is traveling I stay with Aunt Joyce. It’s such fun. I have her trained to keep a basket of toys in her living room and treats on her kitchen counter.
When Br. Ricky, Novice Master of the Feline Cloister, heard this on our Zoom call, he gave a little giggle. “Mojito, just a caution about those treats. Benedict encourages us to eat only at mealtimes and not to nibble.”
Br. Ricky quickly flipped through the pages of his well-worn copy of The Rule of St. Benedict in Mew. He translated the following into canine. (The Novice Master is fluent in several animal languages.)
“No one is to presume to eat or drink before or after the time appointed.” RB 43.18
Following this directive will be a challenge for me. Maybe Friends are treated with more leniency than novices? Hope so.
Br. Ricky asked about my outstanding personality traits. I shared that I am friendly, I learn quickly, and I am well behaved. Br. Ricky gave me a feline smile. He jotted something in a little notebook with a tiny green pencil.
With a broad feline smile he continued. “You are a wonderful example of hospitality, Mojito. In addition to that, you should excel in the Benedictine vow of obedience. Both are highly important to us who follow The Rule of St. Benedict.”
“Obedience is a blessing to be shown by all, not only to the prioress and abbot but also to one another, since we know that it is by this way of obedience that we go to God.” RB 71.1-2
That got my tail wagging energetically because, above everything else, even pleasing humans, I want to go to God. Woof!
I told Br. Ricky that I like to perform tricks for treats. My humans delight in this. And I do, too. But I don’t like to stop playing before I’m ready to. Br. Ricky chewed thoughtfully on the end of his tiny green pencil. “Maybe your humans get tired of playing, Mojito. One thing that you will learn in the Rule and practice in your life is to put the needs of others first.”
“No monastics are to pursue what they judge better for themselves, but instead, what they judge better for someone else.” RB 72.7
Being well-behaved, I do this already in many parts of my life. It will be a challenge for me to follow this verse when I am playing. But I want to go to God so I will do my best to be patient when my humans get exhausted with romping.
Patience will be tough when I have to get in my car seat. “Why do I need a car seat?” I queried Br. Ricky. “It’s so confining.”
Br. Ricky explained that my humans only want to keep me safe. “Both have your welfare in their hearts, Mojito. And this is also part of The Rule. In this passage Benedict is addressing monastic leadership, but I see this applying to your humans as well.”
“Above all, they must not show too great a concern for the fleeting and temporal things of this world; neglecting or treating lightly the welfare of those entrusted to them. Rather, they should keep in mind that they have undertaken the care of souls for whom they must give an account. “ RB 2.33-34
Illus. Ingrid the Havanese is very unhappy in her car seat
Illus. Dietrich, a miniature longhaired dachshund
I also shared something that would really care for my soul. Aunt Joyce needs to learn that I need a furry playmate when my Mom is traveling and I go to stay with her. A permanent resident dog would not be a new thing in the household.
I heard that over the years, she and her husband Joe had 5 long-hair miniature dachshunds, usually 2 at a time. The last one, Ozzie, went home to heaven in March of 2023. That’s probably why she likes my visits, which makes me happy.
Br. Ricky said it would make St. Benedict happy, too. Once again, he opened his well-worn copy of The Rule of St. Benedict in Mew and translated this for me.
“Go to help the troubled and console the sorrowing.” RB 4.18-19
Yip! I am already doing a Benedictine practice! Now THAT is something to bark about!
One final thing to share. Why did I become a Friend of the Feline Cloister?
Well, first of all, I’m cat friendly. Mom has a grey tabby named Toffee. Sometimes I like to encourage Toffee to play chase. She ignores me if that’s not to her liking. And I understand that.
I include a photo that my mom took. I remember that day well. Toffee was definietly NOT in the mood to play chase!
I also became a Friend because my Aunt Joyce encouraged me to apply. I will give a woof to that! Woof! Br. Ricky clapped his paws and gave a cat-like woof, too! I feel SO WELCOMED!
My favorite verse from the Rule:
“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
“Hi there. Would you like to play chase with me?”