Ijournal entry 072417 #29. Emergency Prayer Requests. July: Month of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord. The Rule of St. Benedict. Quotes by Hadewijch of Brabant, Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP, and "A Monk". "Stories from the Desert Fathers", by Abba Sylvanus. "Venerable Pachomius the Great, Founder of Coenobitic Monasticism", by OCA: Orthodox Church in America. Audio Presentation: "True Vessels of the Living Water", by Marino Restrepo.
"In his book, "The Precious Blood", Fr. Frederick William Faber, D.D., calls Saint Paul the Doctor of the Precious Blood owing to his evident fondness to preach on the subject in his epistles
He recounts that the lives of saints are replete with devotion to the Precious Blood making special mention of St. John Chrysostom, St. Austin, St. Gertrude and St. Catherine of Sienna whom he considered the Prophetess of the Precious Blood for putting emphasis on it as the solution to the ills of her times. Fr. Faber also remarks that the Precious Blood makes us appreciate more Christ’s redemption of mankind, His sacrifice and Passion. It also makes us comprehend the beautiful doctrine and the august realities of the Blessed Sacrament as we kneel in front of the tabernacle in humble adoration".
By Gregory Escano
Info from this site: http://www.tfp.org/july-month-of-the-most-precious-blood-of-our-lord/
By Gregory Escano
Info from this site: http://www.tfp.org/july-month-of-the-most-precious-blood-of-our-lord/
The Rule of St. Benedict
"Monks should practise silence at all times, but especially at night. For every season, therefore, whether they be dining at midday or fasting let this be the rule: if dinner be at midday, then as soon as they have risen from supper let them all sit together and let a brother read the Conferences or the Lives of the Fathers, or something else that may edify the hearers; but not the Heptateuch or Kings because it will not be good for weak minds to hear those parts of Scripture at that time of day; let those books be read at other times. If the day be a fast-day, let there be a short interval after Vespers and let them pass then at once to the reading of the Conferences, as prescribed above. When four or five pages have been read, or as many as time permits, and this interval of reading has allowed of the assembly of all who may chance to be engaged in special duties: then, all being now assembled, let them say Compline; and when they come out of Compline, let there be no further permission for anyone to say anything. But if anyone be found to infringe this rule of silence, let him undergo severe punishment, except the coming of guests make speech necessary, or the abbot give someone an order. But even this should be done with the utmost gravity and the most becoming restraint."
MC= Seems like silence is becoming a dinosaur, everywhere you turn, noises of all sorts are bombarding our senses day and night. Even in church or chapel, it can sometimes be hard to focus completely on the Lord because of the behavior of some. Once someone who doesn't go to church came with me to the Adoration chapel. It was amazing that when we left, she said: what are some of these people coming here for? They can stay at home! It was a shock to see someone who doesn't even go to church, able to access right and wrong behavior in a chapel. Well let me not get started. Let us be an authentic witness to show our love, reverence, loyalty, and prayerfulness. Let it be without a doubt that we are coming to be with God, who deserves our complete undivided attention for the moments we are in church or chapel. All the other minutes and hours of the day we can share with others and God if we do wish, but for that short period in the day when we are at Mass or in the chapel, it is so right to completely focus on God and maintain silence. Some people, so get this by the grace of God. May we continue to implore graces for ourselves and others, so that all will get it right before God. Heard Marino Restrepo in the dessert being served below say that some people have more human respect for other people than they have respect for God. Definitely agreeing hundred percent with him, maybe your experience is different, if so, praise God.
"Monks should practise silence at all times, but especially at night. For every season, therefore, whether they be dining at midday or fasting let this be the rule: if dinner be at midday, then as soon as they have risen from supper let them all sit together and let a brother read the Conferences or the Lives of the Fathers, or something else that may edify the hearers; but not the Heptateuch or Kings because it will not be good for weak minds to hear those parts of Scripture at that time of day; let those books be read at other times. If the day be a fast-day, let there be a short interval after Vespers and let them pass then at once to the reading of the Conferences, as prescribed above. When four or five pages have been read, or as many as time permits, and this interval of reading has allowed of the assembly of all who may chance to be engaged in special duties: then, all being now assembled, let them say Compline; and when they come out of Compline, let there be no further permission for anyone to say anything. But if anyone be found to infringe this rule of silence, let him undergo severe punishment, except the coming of guests make speech necessary, or the abbot give someone an order. But even this should be done with the utmost gravity and the most becoming restraint."
MC= Seems like silence is becoming a dinosaur, everywhere you turn, noises of all sorts are bombarding our senses day and night. Even in church or chapel, it can sometimes be hard to focus completely on the Lord because of the behavior of some. Once someone who doesn't go to church came with me to the Adoration chapel. It was amazing that when we left, she said: what are some of these people coming here for? They can stay at home! It was a shock to see someone who doesn't even go to church, able to access right and wrong behavior in a chapel. Well let me not get started. Let us be an authentic witness to show our love, reverence, loyalty, and prayerfulness. Let it be without a doubt that we are coming to be with God, who deserves our complete undivided attention for the moments we are in church or chapel. All the other minutes and hours of the day we can share with others and God if we do wish, but for that short period in the day when we are at Mass or in the chapel, it is so right to completely focus on God and maintain silence. Some people, so get this by the grace of God. May we continue to implore graces for ourselves and others, so that all will get it right before God. Heard Marino Restrepo in the dessert being served below say that some people have more human respect for other people than they have respect for God. Definitely agreeing hundred percent with him, maybe your experience is different, if so, praise God.
🍘"Reason has more satisfaction than love, but love has more sweetness of bliss than reason. These two, however, are of great mutual help one to the other; for reason instructs love, and love enlightens reason. When reason abandons itself to love’s wish, and love consents to be forced and held within the bounds of reason, they can accomplish a very great work. This no one can learn except by experience". By Hadewijch of Brabant
🔴 "The wisdom Jesus offers is not a series of teachings, things we must learn or achieve through our own pursuits. The wisdom he offers is not book knowledge, but a Person----himself. We get that wisdom by following and staying close to him; observing his actions ; listening to his words; imitating him and seeing the world from his perspective. That’s what makes the “don’t knows” wise and those who claim they know, foolish. What a twist; but it is a gospel twist: the wise are foolish, and the “little ones” wise; or put in another way, the first shall be last and the last shall be first". By Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP
🔵 "This is a remarkable thing. Gethsemane means that all prayer offered to God is answered, responded to — without exception — but the divine response is surprising. Unexpected. Pope Francis frequently says this. But every divine response always leads to resurrection. To an unexpected good that surpasses what we thought was best before. God’s answers to prayer come both in this world and in the world to come — multi-dimensional. So much of what our prayer obtains we simply cannot see. We can’t see all of the dimensions God acts in. Prayer that is able to consent to God’s surprising answers is true prayer. Yes, I still must ask, beg God for whatever it is I see as good — “let this cup pass” — but I must also allow God to choose how He wishes to deal with the cup I speak with Him about. In Jesus’ resurrection, the cup overflowed beyond what was only good for Jesus Himself in the moment and flowed out into all of humanity. The Eucharist is the overflowing cup. But if Jesus had only been satisfied with being spared of the cup of suffering, we would have nothing to drink from to give us eternal life". By A Monk
🔴 "The wisdom Jesus offers is not a series of teachings, things we must learn or achieve through our own pursuits. The wisdom he offers is not book knowledge, but a Person----himself. We get that wisdom by following and staying close to him; observing his actions ; listening to his words; imitating him and seeing the world from his perspective. That’s what makes the “don’t knows” wise and those who claim they know, foolish. What a twist; but it is a gospel twist: the wise are foolish, and the “little ones” wise; or put in another way, the first shall be last and the last shall be first". By Fr. Jude Siciliano, OP
🔵 "This is a remarkable thing. Gethsemane means that all prayer offered to God is answered, responded to — without exception — but the divine response is surprising. Unexpected. Pope Francis frequently says this. But every divine response always leads to resurrection. To an unexpected good that surpasses what we thought was best before. God’s answers to prayer come both in this world and in the world to come — multi-dimensional. So much of what our prayer obtains we simply cannot see. We can’t see all of the dimensions God acts in. Prayer that is able to consent to God’s surprising answers is true prayer. Yes, I still must ask, beg God for whatever it is I see as good — “let this cup pass” — but I must also allow God to choose how He wishes to deal with the cup I speak with Him about. In Jesus’ resurrection, the cup overflowed beyond what was only good for Jesus Himself in the moment and flowed out into all of humanity. The Eucharist is the overflowing cup. But if Jesus had only been satisfied with being spared of the cup of suffering, we would have nothing to drink from to give us eternal life". By A Monk
While driving to Mass one morning an insightful realization developed ever so gently. It all started when the electric gate acted up again, causing me to miss the morning novena service. Thank God, there were two services being offered each day, so it was possible to attend the seven pm service. By God's grace, after having the repairman come out over a year ago, he figured out somehow the culprit was a little water was getting inside the arm & reaching the circuit box located on the bottom of the arm.Thanks be to God for His mercy that the computer board is not being destroyed. The idea came to me to wrap a black garbage bag around the lower arm. Hallaluia, this remedy have been working ever since it's employment over a year ago. It was a surprise when leaving for the early St. Anne novena, that the gate opened but would not close. Tried to hurry and retrieve another remote to see if it would close. That was a "no go", so the next step was to try to take the screw out and unhook the arm and close the gate manually. Usually never have a problem removing the screw, but this time could't remove it. Tried, and tried, and it was getting hot outside, so went inside to cool off and pray my favorite prayer, the Memorare. After a few minutes it was time to try again, no success for me with repeated attempts. Someone pulled up in a truck and parked outside, was thinking about asking the man to help me when he got off of the truck. Well, he never got out of the truck, and after a while, he finally turned the truck around and drove off the the same way he came.
By that time it was around the hour that the Mass would be starting, 10:00, after pressing the remote again, the gate closed. Decided to try to go for it, to just catch the novena speaker, Fr. Cedric Pisegna, then attend evening Mass elsewhere. My desire when beginning the day was to not have to go to the night service. Started out for the novena, but with all the traffic and the red lights being encountered, it was soon realized that my plans would not materialize. At that moment the decision was made to turn around, but it came to mind that this little elderly friend had asked me a few weeks ago to look for her some khaki knee shorts. Passing the Thrift store, on half price clothing day, proved to be the perfect time to stop and shop. So traveling in that direction was not in vain. A blessing for me was finding some very nice outfits, but what she wanted couldn't be found. Continued to look and look, but couldn't find a thing, the shorts were either too short, to big, or too small. Had to then say: God, please let me find something for Chinda. Then my eyes fell to the floor beneath the khaki shorts rack, and a pair of shorts were on the floor. That one was the one to purchase, praise the Lord. Thoughts ran to attending noon mass, but the check out lines were long. Plans were to be changed again, God's will go be done, not mine. The next stop would be the Adoration chapel for Eucharistic Adoration. In the chapel while reading the following scripture passages:
By that time it was around the hour that the Mass would be starting, 10:00, after pressing the remote again, the gate closed. Decided to try to go for it, to just catch the novena speaker, Fr. Cedric Pisegna, then attend evening Mass elsewhere. My desire when beginning the day was to not have to go to the night service. Started out for the novena, but with all the traffic and the red lights being encountered, it was soon realized that my plans would not materialize. At that moment the decision was made to turn around, but it came to mind that this little elderly friend had asked me a few weeks ago to look for her some khaki knee shorts. Passing the Thrift store, on half price clothing day, proved to be the perfect time to stop and shop. So traveling in that direction was not in vain. A blessing for me was finding some very nice outfits, but what she wanted couldn't be found. Continued to look and look, but couldn't find a thing, the shorts were either too short, to big, or too small. Had to then say: God, please let me find something for Chinda. Then my eyes fell to the floor beneath the khaki shorts rack, and a pair of shorts were on the floor. That one was the one to purchase, praise the Lord. Thoughts ran to attending noon mass, but the check out lines were long. Plans were to be changed again, God's will go be done, not mine. The next stop would be the Adoration chapel for Eucharistic Adoration. In the chapel while reading the following scripture passages:
it helped the insight from the Holy Spirit unfold rather fluidly. Really, you can say the starting point was the night before at the seminary presentation we are attending once a leek for a month (thank you to: Katie, Steve, Deregal, and Bernadine for making it possible to do a group registration). The story told us at the Seminary presentation was about a lady saying that her handicapped child helped her to "get out of herself". That was my "take away point" that Dr. TJN asked us to share with the person next to us. We were to discuss with one another what impacted us in a new way from the night's session. Another throw back to that night that was helpful, was a nice long conversation with Robin after the session. She mentioned something about how she believes the Lord always wants us in peace. Always, all the time, and a big amen goes out to that. The saInts knew that, they learned that early on in class 101 in spiritual school. Just weeks before it was being shown to me that if we want what God wants, then there is no problem regarding at troubled Spirif, nothing to fret or worry about.
After the gate would not close for me to attend the novena in time thoughts about the whole situation led to me realizing my peace would be abiding if what God allowed or wanted was accepted by me. Out of bed early, trying to start off the day to be able to get home before dark, was not God's plan. If all this was known beforehand, would have rested in bed longer with plans to attend the 7pm service. To concentrate on loosing sleep after getting to bed so late, would have promoted unrest, resulting from wanting something other than what God allowed or wanted to unfold for the day. Total surrender results in peace, to want what He wants settles everything. That becomes very easy when we know He is 100% in love with us, willing the best for us, as He have total control of everything that happens, when, where, and how.
After the gate would not close for me to attend the novena in time thoughts about the whole situation led to me realizing my peace would be abiding if what God allowed or wanted was accepted by me. Out of bed early, trying to start off the day to be able to get home before dark, was not God's plan. If all this was known beforehand, would have rested in bed longer with plans to attend the 7pm service. To concentrate on loosing sleep after getting to bed so late, would have promoted unrest, resulting from wanting something other than what God allowed or wanted to unfold for the day. Total surrender results in peace, to want what He wants settles everything. That becomes very easy when we know He is 100% in love with us, willing the best for us, as He have total control of everything that happens, when, where, and how.
It's apparent that the way is very simple to stay in peace, to be detached from our own disordered thoughts, wishes, desires, goals, etc., whatever is contrary to God's. If what want we doesn't materialize, and not getting our way causes us to forfeit the gift of peace, we are not in sync with God. The day's chapel visit is making it clearer that to be able to want what God wants we must empty ourselves like the scripture says or like the lady said "get out of ourselves". The Holy Spirit can only fill what is empty. Everything is tying in beautifully, we must see with the heart that each minute as it unfolds, even if unpleasant to us, is being permitted by God. Then our response is to then, in peace live the moment. The Holy Spirit will be with us, to empower us to follow Jesus who is the way, and being immersed in the truth with Him, our true life will be abiding in Him for our good and God's glory. In peace it's to know that everything is working as it should, that all is well, because God is for and with us
YA hard lessen to master is detachment, but desiring to grow and surrender wholeheartedly to the Lord, will help us reach the pinnacle of success sooner or later. It is kind of like a frog in hot water. Already in the water, it is getting a little hotter and hotter but we can take me, the ocean of mercy is the refuge for the children of God. A bit of reading further, my regular scripture exercise, generates more insight as the journey continues.
It came to mind how our disordered thoughts are voices that we need to recognize as strangers, and to run from them as we would a stranger. It would do us well to recognize and only follow the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. The at random scripture that day before leaving chapel was from 1 Corinthians 3, and the 16th verse, which reiterated for me that the Holy Spirit dwells in us as we are God's temple. If we "self fill" the temple, then how can God find a dwelling place?
One more thing came to mind it was about automatically giving thanks about something in a situation that be falls us that cold be worse without the providential care of God. That for which one is grateful, it will be seen how the hand of God is indeed upon one. He is helping in a certain aspect of a situation, in spite of all else that is happening otherwise. If God was not intervening, handling the difficulty would be unbearable and unmanageable. Thankfulness is a sure shot for diffuses a situation, and it fosters strength to deal with what is at hand.
The night before all of these insightful thoughts, a reading from the book: "Cultivating Virtue, self mastery with the Saints", furthers the understanding now as to why we have to go through something, and how profitable it is to will as God wills. It occurred to me that since we all have to go through something, it's best to be satisfied with what God chooses or allows for us to go through. God's choice is better, and like David said:
The night before all of these insightful thoughts, a reading from the book: "Cultivating Virtue, self mastery with the Saints", furthers the understanding now as to why we have to go through something, and how profitable it is to will as God wills. It occurred to me that since we all have to go through something, it's best to be satisfied with what God chooses or allows for us to go through. God's choice is better, and like David said:
Book excerpts:
"In the Lives of the Fathers of the West, it is told of St. Fintan that he was daily visited by an angel, but that once the visit was omitted for several days. When the Saint had the happiness of seeing him again, he asked the angel why he had been so long deprived of his most sweet companionship. “Because,” replied the angel, “I had to be present at the death of Motua, who was a great servant of God, and better than yourself, for he did what you have not done. This man never spoke a harsh word to anyone present, nor an unkind word of anyone absent. He never complained of heat or cold, nor of anything else, whatever it might be, or however it might happen; but always conformed himself to the will of God, in whose hands are all things.” When St. Gertrude was one day mourning over a little fault into which she was accustomed to fall at times, she earnestly entreated the Lord to free her from it. But He said to her, with great sweetness: “Would you wish that I should be deprived of a great honor and you yourself of a great reward? Know that every time one perceives a fault of his own and resolves to avoid it for the future, he gains a great reward; and as often as he keeps himself from falling into it again for My sake, he does Me as much honor as a valiant soldier does his king, when he fights manfully against his enemies and conquers them.”
"In the Lives of the Fathers of the West, it is told of St. Fintan that he was daily visited by an angel, but that once the visit was omitted for several days. When the Saint had the happiness of seeing him again, he asked the angel why he had been so long deprived of his most sweet companionship. “Because,” replied the angel, “I had to be present at the death of Motua, who was a great servant of God, and better than yourself, for he did what you have not done. This man never spoke a harsh word to anyone present, nor an unkind word of anyone absent. He never complained of heat or cold, nor of anything else, whatever it might be, or however it might happen; but always conformed himself to the will of God, in whose hands are all things.” When St. Gertrude was one day mourning over a little fault into which she was accustomed to fall at times, she earnestly entreated the Lord to free her from it. But He said to her, with great sweetness: “Would you wish that I should be deprived of a great honor and you yourself of a great reward? Know that every time one perceives a fault of his own and resolves to avoid it for the future, he gains a great reward; and as often as he keeps himself from falling into it again for My sake, he does Me as much honor as a valiant soldier does his king, when he fights manfully against his enemies and conquers them.”
"Stories from the Desert Fathers", by Abba Sylvanus
Info from this site :
christdesert.org/prayer/desert-fathers-stories/abba-sylvanus/
"A brother once came to Abba Sylvanus, and when he saw the brothers working, he said “Do not work for perishable bread”
Info from this site :
christdesert.org/prayer/desert-fathers-stories/abba-sylvanus/
"A brother once came to Abba Sylvanus, and when he saw the brothers working, he said “Do not work for perishable bread”
The superior told them to give him a book and to bring him to an empty cell. When the ninth hour came, that brother watched the door for someone to summon him to dinner. Finally, he went to the elder and asked him: “Have the brothers eaten today?” The elder answered: “Of course.” “Why have you not fetched me?” The elder responded: “since you are a spiritual man, you don’t need this food. We carnal fellows must still eat, and so we work. You have chosen the better part, in that you read all day and do not wish to eat physical food.” When the brother heard this, he fell at his feet and said: “Forgive me, Father”. The old man said to him “Mary needs Martha. It is really thanks to Martha that Mary is praised.”
Abba Moses asked Abba Sylvanus “Can a man lay a new foundation every day?” The old man said “If we work hard, we can lay a new foundation every"
Abba Moses asked Abba Sylvanus “Can a man lay a new foundation every day?” The old man said “If we work hard, we can lay a new foundation every"
"Venerable Pachomius the Great, Founder of Coenobitic Monasticism", by OCA: Orthodox Church in America
Info from this site:
https://oca.org/saints/lives/2015/05/15/101384-venerable-pachomius-the-great-founder-of-coenobitic-monasticismCommemorated on May 15
"Saint Pachomius the Great was both a model of desert dwelling, and with Saints Anthony the Great (January 17), Macarius the Great (January 19), and Euthymius the Great (January 20), a founder of the cenobitic monastic life in Egypt. Saint Pachomius was born in the third century in the Thebaid (Upper Egypt). His parents were pagans who gave him an excellent secular education. From his youth he had a good character, and he was prudent and sensible. When Pachomius reached the age of twenty, he was called up to serve in the army of the emperor Constantine (apparently, in the year 315). They put the new conscripts in a city prison guarded by soldiers. The local Christians fed the soldiers and took care of them. When the young man learned that these people acted this way because of their love for God, fulfilling His commandment to love their neighbor, this made a deep impression upon his pure soul.
Pachomius vowed to become a Christian. Pachomius returned from the army after the victory, received holy Baptism, moved to the lonely settlement of Shenesit, and began to lead a strict ascetic life. Realizing the need for spiritual guidance, he turned to the desert-dweller Palamon. He was accepted by the Elder, and he began to follow the example of his instructor in monastic struggles. Once, after ten years of asceticism, Saint Pachomius made his way through the desert, and halted at the ruins of the former village of Tabennisi. Here he heard a Voice ordering him to start a monastery at this place. Pachomius told the Elder Palamon of this, and they both regarded the words as a command from God. They went to Tabennisi and built a small monastic cell. The holy Elder Palamon blessed the foundations of the monastery and predicted its future glory. But soon Palamon departed to the Lord. An angel of God then appeared to Saint Pachomius in the form of a scheme monk and gave him a Rule of monastic life. Soon his older brother John came and settled there with him.
Saint Pachomius endured many temptations and assaults from the Enemy of the race of man, but he resisted all temptations by his prayer and endurance. Gradually, followers began to gather around Saint Pachomius. Their teacher impressed everyone by his love for work, which enabled him to accomplish all kinds of monastic tasks. He cultivated a garden, he conversed with those seeking guidance, and he tended to the sick. Saint Pachomius introduced a monastic Rule of cenobitic life, giving everyone the same food and attire. The monks of the monastery fulfilled the obediences assigned them for the common good of the monastery. Among the various obediences was copying books. The monks were not allowed to possess their own money nor to accept anything from their relatives. Saint Pachomius considered that an obedience fulfilled with zeal was greater than fasting or prayer. He also demanded from the monks an exact observance of the monastic Rule, and he chastised slackers.
His sister Maria came to see Saint Pachomius, but the strict ascetic refused to see her. Through the gate keeper, he blessed her to enter upon the path of monastic life, promising his help with this. Maria wept, but did as her brother had ordered. The Tabennisi monks built her a hut on the opposite side of the River Nile. Nuns also began to gather around Maria. Soon a women’s monastery was formed with a strict monastic Rule provided by Saint Pachomius. The number of monks at the monastery grew quickly, and it became necessary to build seven more monasteries in the vicinity. The number of monks reached 7,000, all under the guidance of Saint Pachomius, who visited all the monasteries and administered them. At the same time Saint Pachomius remained a deeply humble monk, who was always ready to comply with and accept the words of each brother.
Severe and strict towards himself, Saint Pachomius had great kindness and condescension toward the deficiencies of spiritually immature monks. One of the monks was eager for martyrdom, but Saint Pachomius turned him from this desire and instructed him to fulfill his monastic obedience, taming his pride, and training him in humility. Once, a monk did not heed his advice and left the monastery. He was set upon by brigands, who threatened him with death and forced him to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Filled with despair, the monk returned to the monastery. Saint Pachomius ordered him to pray intensely night and day, keep a strict fast and live in complete solitude. The monk followed his advice, and this saved his soul from despair.
The saint taught his spiritual children to avoid judging others, and he himself feared to judge anyone even in thought. Saint Pachomius cared for the sick monks with special love. He visited them, he cheered the disheartened, he urged them to be thankful to God, and put their hope in His holy will. He relaxed the fasting rule for the sick, if this would help them recover their health. Once, in the saint’s absence, the cook did not prepare any cooked food for the monks, assuming that the brethren loved to fast. Instead of fulfilling his obedience, the cook plaited 500 mats, something which Saint Pachomius had not told him to do. In punishment for his disobedience, all the mats prepared by the cook were burned.
Saint Pachomius always taught the monks to rely only upon God’s help and mercy. It happened that there was a shortage of grain at the monastery. The saint spent the whole night in prayer, and in the morning a large quantity of bread was sent to the monastery from the city, at no charge. The Lord granted Saint Pachomius the gift of wonderworking and healing the sick. The Lord revealed to him the future of monasticism. The saint learned that future monks would not have such zeal in their struggles as the first generation had, and they would not have experienced guides. Prostrating himself upon the ground, Saint Pachomius wept bitterly, calling out to the Lord and imploring mercy for them. He heard a Voice answer, “Pachomius, be mindful of the mercy of God. The monks of the future shall receive a reward, since they too shall have occasion to suffer the life burdensome for the monk.” Toward the end of his life Saint Pachomius fell ill from a pestilence that afflicted the region. His closest disciple, Saint Theodore (May 17), tended to him with filial love. Saint Pachomius died around the year 348 at the age of fifty-three, and was buried on a hill near the monastery."
Info from this site:
https://oca.org/saints/lives/2015/05/15/101384-venerable-pachomius-the-great-founder-of-coenobitic-monasticismCommemorated on May 15
"Saint Pachomius the Great was both a model of desert dwelling, and with Saints Anthony the Great (January 17), Macarius the Great (January 19), and Euthymius the Great (January 20), a founder of the cenobitic monastic life in Egypt. Saint Pachomius was born in the third century in the Thebaid (Upper Egypt). His parents were pagans who gave him an excellent secular education. From his youth he had a good character, and he was prudent and sensible. When Pachomius reached the age of twenty, he was called up to serve in the army of the emperor Constantine (apparently, in the year 315). They put the new conscripts in a city prison guarded by soldiers. The local Christians fed the soldiers and took care of them. When the young man learned that these people acted this way because of their love for God, fulfilling His commandment to love their neighbor, this made a deep impression upon his pure soul.
Pachomius vowed to become a Christian. Pachomius returned from the army after the victory, received holy Baptism, moved to the lonely settlement of Shenesit, and began to lead a strict ascetic life. Realizing the need for spiritual guidance, he turned to the desert-dweller Palamon. He was accepted by the Elder, and he began to follow the example of his instructor in monastic struggles. Once, after ten years of asceticism, Saint Pachomius made his way through the desert, and halted at the ruins of the former village of Tabennisi. Here he heard a Voice ordering him to start a monastery at this place. Pachomius told the Elder Palamon of this, and they both regarded the words as a command from God. They went to Tabennisi and built a small monastic cell. The holy Elder Palamon blessed the foundations of the monastery and predicted its future glory. But soon Palamon departed to the Lord. An angel of God then appeared to Saint Pachomius in the form of a scheme monk and gave him a Rule of monastic life. Soon his older brother John came and settled there with him.
Saint Pachomius endured many temptations and assaults from the Enemy of the race of man, but he resisted all temptations by his prayer and endurance. Gradually, followers began to gather around Saint Pachomius. Their teacher impressed everyone by his love for work, which enabled him to accomplish all kinds of monastic tasks. He cultivated a garden, he conversed with those seeking guidance, and he tended to the sick. Saint Pachomius introduced a monastic Rule of cenobitic life, giving everyone the same food and attire. The monks of the monastery fulfilled the obediences assigned them for the common good of the monastery. Among the various obediences was copying books. The monks were not allowed to possess their own money nor to accept anything from their relatives. Saint Pachomius considered that an obedience fulfilled with zeal was greater than fasting or prayer. He also demanded from the monks an exact observance of the monastic Rule, and he chastised slackers.
His sister Maria came to see Saint Pachomius, but the strict ascetic refused to see her. Through the gate keeper, he blessed her to enter upon the path of monastic life, promising his help with this. Maria wept, but did as her brother had ordered. The Tabennisi monks built her a hut on the opposite side of the River Nile. Nuns also began to gather around Maria. Soon a women’s monastery was formed with a strict monastic Rule provided by Saint Pachomius. The number of monks at the monastery grew quickly, and it became necessary to build seven more monasteries in the vicinity. The number of monks reached 7,000, all under the guidance of Saint Pachomius, who visited all the monasteries and administered them. At the same time Saint Pachomius remained a deeply humble monk, who was always ready to comply with and accept the words of each brother.
Severe and strict towards himself, Saint Pachomius had great kindness and condescension toward the deficiencies of spiritually immature monks. One of the monks was eager for martyrdom, but Saint Pachomius turned him from this desire and instructed him to fulfill his monastic obedience, taming his pride, and training him in humility. Once, a monk did not heed his advice and left the monastery. He was set upon by brigands, who threatened him with death and forced him to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods. Filled with despair, the monk returned to the monastery. Saint Pachomius ordered him to pray intensely night and day, keep a strict fast and live in complete solitude. The monk followed his advice, and this saved his soul from despair.
The saint taught his spiritual children to avoid judging others, and he himself feared to judge anyone even in thought. Saint Pachomius cared for the sick monks with special love. He visited them, he cheered the disheartened, he urged them to be thankful to God, and put their hope in His holy will. He relaxed the fasting rule for the sick, if this would help them recover their health. Once, in the saint’s absence, the cook did not prepare any cooked food for the monks, assuming that the brethren loved to fast. Instead of fulfilling his obedience, the cook plaited 500 mats, something which Saint Pachomius had not told him to do. In punishment for his disobedience, all the mats prepared by the cook were burned.
Saint Pachomius always taught the monks to rely only upon God’s help and mercy. It happened that there was a shortage of grain at the monastery. The saint spent the whole night in prayer, and in the morning a large quantity of bread was sent to the monastery from the city, at no charge. The Lord granted Saint Pachomius the gift of wonderworking and healing the sick. The Lord revealed to him the future of monasticism. The saint learned that future monks would not have such zeal in their struggles as the first generation had, and they would not have experienced guides. Prostrating himself upon the ground, Saint Pachomius wept bitterly, calling out to the Lord and imploring mercy for them. He heard a Voice answer, “Pachomius, be mindful of the mercy of God. The monks of the future shall receive a reward, since they too shall have occasion to suffer the life burdensome for the monk.” Toward the end of his life Saint Pachomius fell ill from a pestilence that afflicted the region. His closest disciple, Saint Theodore (May 17), tended to him with filial love. Saint Pachomius died around the year 348 at the age of fifty-three, and was buried on a hill near the monastery."
Audio Presentation: "True Vessels of the Living Water, by Marino Rstrepo
Youtube video link:https://youtu.be/QKyaJDPUGbE
Youtube video link:https://youtu.be/QKyaJDPUGbE