Personal Prayer

The brothers then questioned him in this way: “Father, in life, what virtue requires the greatest effort?” And he replied to them: “Believe me, nothing seems to require more effort than praying to God. For every time a man wants to pray, enemies try to deter him from it; they are aware that a person can resist everything if he prays. Whatever kind of virtuous life a man pursues, he will find satisfaction if he perseveres in it; as for prayer, a struggle is required up until the last breath.” (Abbot Agathon, d. 400 A.D.)

Instinctively we know that prayer is at the very heart of the Christian life. But even given the quiet that a monastery is expected to provide, the monk soon finds that the real noise is inside, that his heart is cluttered not just with memories but with bitterness, anger, rancour. He quickly realises that he has a struggle on his hands, that he can’t tune in to God at will. The great lesson from tradition is that he must never give up. There will be times when he seems to be really enjoying divine companionship, but there will be others when he seems to be drifting or losing ground. But through it all God is really teaching him how to pray, to depend on his mercy alone.

Of You my heart has spoken, ‘Seek His face.’ (Psalm 26)

Friendship with Christ, awakened by the Holy Spirit, gives us the confidence to place ourselves in the presence of the Father as his sons. We do so in the certainty that He loves each of us as if there was only one of us to love!

Prayer from the heart and especially contemplative prayer is nourished by sacred Scripture. Every day the monk sets aside some time for reflecting on the words of scripture – known in monastic tradition as Lectio Divina. Through this attentive meditative prayer we listen to the Word of God after the example of Mary who kept all these things in her heart. The mother of Jesus has a special place in the life of monks. To her each one is dedicated in a special way. Like a seed entrusted to our care, we strive to see the Word of God blossom in our lives under the action of God’s grace, and bear fruit for all eternity. The time assigned specifically for Lectio Divina is between the night office (Vigils) and the concelebrated Community Mass: that is, between 4.45 a.m. and 7.00 a.m.

Your prayer is conversation with God. When you read, it is God who speaks to you and when you pray it is you who speak to God. (St. Augustine)

Every Cistercian monastery endeavours to have a good library which contains both source material and up-to-date publications. Study has an important place in any monastery. Without it first the intellectual life and then the spiritual life of the community can quickly wane. Obviously not everyone is called to be a student, but in the library provision is made for the preferences and tastes ofthe individual. For those who enter the cloistered life a programme of studies is undertaken. No set academic standards exist and for some, little formal study is required. A general study programme involves the study of Catholic doctrine, Spirituality, Liturgy and the History of the Order. Preparation for the Priesthood involves further studies (approximately six years).