Seclusion is seclusion, right? A Benedictine oblate blog

The video shows the ancient practices of Benedictine monks. From the video, some people may think that these secluded Benedictine monks have little influence on the “real” world going on outside. But like many things Benedictine, there is often another truth working — even in that seclusion — as this recent quote from Father Benedict Groeschel shows:

“The Benedictines go back to be beginning of the Dark Ages. They have a beautiful, beautiful tradition.

“St. Benedict who was a Roman nobleman started this in the midst of the chaos of the barbarian invasions; and he started monasteries: Subiaco, Monte Cassino.

“Ferdinand Lot in a great historical study of the end of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Dark Ages said the monasteries of the Benedictine Order shown like islands of light in a sea of darkness. The only place that a sensitive and intelligent person could go.

“It is recognized by all that the monks and nuns of the Benedictine Order and in the East of the Eastern Studite Order — they preserved not only religion, but culture for the whole world. And God knows the way we are going right now, we may need it again.”(1)

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Footnote

(1) The entire quote is from Father Benedict Groeschel on “Sunday Night Live with Father Benedict Groeschel, on EWTN Television, Sunday, October 26, 2008.

In the episode Father Benedict Groeschel had a conversation with Prioress, Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B., (Her story) of the Abbey of Regina Laudis. (Queen of Praise) Dolores Hart was a well-known actress of stage and film who became a nun. Her Internet Movie Database information is at IMDb.