"Seeking his workman in a multitude of people, the Lord calls out to him and lifts his voice again: Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days?"
(R.B. Prologue)

The monastic life seeks to witness to the Kingdom of God through a lifestyle centred on prayer in community under the guidance of a Rule and an Abbot. St.Benedict is insistent that life in the monastery be built around the Work of God (i.e. communal prayer). This searching for God is the Gospel invitation to "Set your mind on God's kingdom and his justice before everything else, and all the rest will come to you as well" (Mt. 6:33).

Community Life

Jesus Christ reveals to us the love and fellowship which exist between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are called to become part of this fellowship, to grow in love and compassion. For a monk the monastery provides the community where this growth into the likeness of Christ can take place. Today, the search for community can be seen in various sects and fellowships which are being founded; and the lack of community is evident in broken families and divisions within the Church and society. The Rule of St.Benedict is very much concerned about the practical details of living in community and places great emphasis on a disciplined lifestyle. St.Benedict tells his monks to "bear with weaknesses, whether of body or of character with a most tolerant patience." (R.B. ch.72). This patient loving of each other in mutual service and tolerance is the very stuff of community life. Monks are "experts" in community living. And this is a gift they can offer to a divided Church and society.

Mass in the Worth church

Welcome

A monastery is never without guests (R.B. ch.53) and in receiving them we welcome Christ. "All visitors who call are to be welcomes as if they were Christ, for he will one day say: 'I was a stranger and you took me in'." (R.B. ch.53). Monasteries are centres of hospitality especially for those who know their need of God. In the silence and peace of the monastery, space and time can be found to stand back from everyday life and listen to oneself and to God. Praying communities help to generate a peace and stillness which speak of God.

A Lay Spirituality

Monasticism has its roots in a lay spirituality. Benedict wrote his Rule for laymen and insisted that ordained monks should not have special privileges. Monks are, perhaps in a privileged position to help the Church appreciate the importance of the lay vocation. At Worth today a flourishing Lay Community has grown up alongside the monastic community and shares in its work of prayer and hospitality.

Today, as in the time of Benedict, the Lord calls his workmen and women to find him in the monastic way of life. "Let them put absolutely nothing before Christ..." (R.B. ch.72).