Bethlehem Abbey

The Practice of the Cell

The term ‘cell’ has become one which is synonymous with religious and especially monastic-contemplative life, and yet it shocks! We think immediately of prison, of a deprivation of freedom, of limited association with others, of a regime not chosen but imposed, of punishment for crimes committed…

Fasting

Fasting is never to be taken on for its own sake – it is never an end in itself, but a means to an end, or part of a broader tapestry of tools which we employ in the spiritual life. St Benedict in his Rule recommends it in as a tool for good works in Chapter 4…

Monastic Practices: Introduction

Since men and women began to seek another way of approaching and finding God by leaving everything to be single-minded in their search, spiritual practices and tools have developed which have helped them as they struggled and stumbled. The practices which have given greatest assistance have stood the test of time…

Lectio Divina: The Gospel According to Mark (1:1-5)

St Mark’s Gospel begins with a direct address to us – The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We might take a moment, and as long as we need, to reflect on ‘beginnings’. The invitation to begin again, in all that we do…

The Divine Office

St Benedict gives detailed direction as to how the principal community prayer – the Opus Dei or Work of God – is to be carried out. The monks are expected to leave whatever task occupies them and gather in the church of the monastery to pray the psalms together and listen to readings…

The Practice of Lectio Divina

Conscious that one of the hallmarks and mainstays of the monastic contemplative life is lectio divina, we invite you to take on this ancient spiritual practice of praying with the word of Sacred Scripture. Today we offer a short explanation about lectio divina…