Living by the Rule. Benedictine Spirituality in Australia (CH9410P)

Content

This research –rich subject locates Benedictinism in the wider history of monasticism. It covers monastic prayer with particular attention to the psalms, lectio divina and liturgical life, the place of manual work and understandings of hospitality. Students will spend a week living in the guest-house of the Benedictine monastery at New Norcia, Western Australia, participating in the community life of prayer. In addition, they will attend lectures and participate in group discussions. We examine the history of the New Norcia township paying attention to the foundation narratives and key personalities, the role of women, the interaction with Aboriginal Australians and the patterns of contact with the wider Australian and international communities. Students undertake research work with archival material in English on a key theme relating to the monastery, farm, schools, library, and mission activities.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Prerequisites: 30 points in CH with at least one result of 75% Prohibited combinations: CH/DS8405: Prayer and Hospitality: Benedictine Spirituality in Australia

Pedagogy

Seminar, workshop, discussion, online forum, independent research Participation in the live-in experience will include lecture-style input and discussion (5 x 2 hours) and seminar-style source-based discussion (5 x 3 hours), in addition to involvement in and reflection on the community life of prayer (28 hours is programmed and available, 8 hours is expected), and guided research drawing on the resources of the archives and library (2x3 hours). The Orientation meeting (4 hours) and the Saturday workshop on research (6 hours) will include input and small group discussion. Online forum 2 hours weekly over 14 weeks.

Indicative Bibliography

• Böckmann, A. Perspectives on the Rule of St Benedict: expanding our hearts in Christ. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2005.
• Casey, M. Sacred reading: the ancient art of lectio divina. Triumph Books, 1996.
• Collins, G. Meeting Christ in His Mysteries: A Benedictine Vision of Spiritual Life. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2010.
• Fry, T. (ed.). The Rule of St Benedict in English Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1981.
• John Cassian: The Conferences. Trans. Boniface Ramsey. Ancient Christian Writers. (New York: Newman Press, 1999).
• Kardong, Terrence. Benedict's Rule: A Commentary. (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2000).
• Kulzer, L and Bondi, R. Benedict in the World: Portraits of Monastic Oblates. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2002.
• Marrett-Crosby, A. (ed.) The Benedictine Handbook, Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2003.
• Stewart, C. Prayer and Community: the Benedictine Tradition. London: Darton, Longman & Todd, 1998.

Assessment