The spirituality of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan is inspired by the wisdom of the Rule of St Benedict. In 2029, Benedictines worldwide will celebrate 1500 years of community.
By Sister Kym Harris OSB
In 529, St Benedict founded a community at Monte Cassino, 80 kilometres south of Rome. From this monastery has flowed the life of many Benedictine communities, initially across Western Europe and now the world.
Today, about 25,000 women and men follow Benedict’s Rule in monastic communities. They share his wisdom in retreat houses and schools, colleges and hospitals, to those who they meet only fleetingly and to those who link with a community as oblates or associates.
Community is central to the Benedictine spirit. When we laud St Benedict, it can sometimes be missed that it is ordinary people, in ordinary communities, who have communicated his wisdom to so many.
As we move towards 2029 and the celebration of the 15th centenary of Monte Cassino, we as Benedictines invite you to join in our recognition and appreciation of the wisdom of our tradition and the communities who are its bearers.
In the coming years, we are planning ways for others to appreciate and experience the wisdom we have received. We see this time as a pilgrimage, primarily of the spirit, but with the invitation to visit our monastic communities and learn from those living in the spirit of Monte Cassino.
The years leading up to the Jubilee have been assigned themes: aspects of Benedictine wisdom, aligned with the stages of Benedict’s life. We are inviting you to journey on a pilgrimage through time, reflecting on his life and wisdom, and encountering the communities that live that wisdom today.
This pilgrimage began this year in Norcia, Italy, at St Benedict’s birthplace on 25 April. The theme for this year is Awaken. We are invited to awaken to Christ’s call beginning this pilgrimage with joy and thanksgiving, and a spirit of penitence.
In 2027, the theme will be Listen, recognising the time Benedict lived in Rome as a student and came to the realisation that his values were different from those of the students around him. We will focus on learning and courage, and aim to listen to Christ’s word for our lives.
It continues into 2028 with the theme of Grow, focussing on the time St Benedict lived as a hermit in wild mountains near the town of Subiaco. The themes focus on being with Christ in the desert, prepared to leave behind what hinders our growth and embrace change.
In 2029, the theme will be Flourish, focussed on the culmination of St Benedict’s journey, the founding of Monte Cassino. We will reflect on perseverance, stability and humility; values that uphold community. Our aim to live a balanced life, centred on the person of Christ.
For 2030 and beyond, the theme will be Overflow. Filled with joy and guided by discernment, we seek to take the fruits of grace and be disciples reaching out to the peripheries of society.
The Benedictines of Australia and New Zealand, in their diverse and varied communities, reflect the central place of Benedictine wisdom in their lives. As we begin this journey in appreciation of the communal wisdom of Benedictine life, we are planning various ventures by which we hope to journey with those wishing to enter into the Spirit of our Benedictine Tradition. Retreat days, musical events, resources for schools are being prepared.
To raise awareness of what will be offered, we will be distributing an occasional newsletter. It will have a calendar of events, and a reflection on the theme of the year.
If you wish to receive this newsletter, please send your email address to srkymharris@bigpond.com. You can unsubscribe at any time.
To find out more about Benedictine Jubilee 1500, click here.
