New Camaldoli Hermitagea quarterly newsletter

Camaldolese Monks, OSB

Fall 2015 • Vol. 21, Issue 362475 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920 • 831-667-2456 • www.contemplation.com

June 7th was a day worthy of fire-worksattheHermitage;wecelebratedasimple profession.But therewas an im-mediatesurpriseinstore:we’djustgottenused to calling James “Cassian”, and heaskedat this timetogoback tohisbap-tismalnameandbecalled“James”again.So we witnessed James committing forthree years to obedience, reformation oflifeandstability. The monks weren’t the only wit-nesses.Jameshasonlyonebrotherbuthehasabouta thousandfirstcousins (or soitseemstous!),andalotofthemcame.Manyofthewomenworetheirbeautifulsaris,makingthemlooklikevisitingroy-alty.Thequeenamong themwasJames’mother, who did the second reading atMass.Jamessaid,“Itwasoneofthemostmemorabledaysofmylife.”

BrotherJamesMakesSimpleVowsFr. Isaiah Teichert, OSB Cam.

ThroughhisobedienceJamesimitatesChristwho came not to do his own will, but the will of him who sent him.St.Bene-dicturgesahighqualityobedienceintheRule;itshouldbeexecutedwithouthesi-tation, delay, luke-warmness, grumbling or objection.Withhisvowofreformationof life, James ispromising todowhat ittakestobeamonk,enterintotheconver-satio morum,thegiveandtakeofordinarylifeincommunity.Withhisvowofstabil-ity,Jamespromisestostayinplace,staywithwhatSt.Benedict calls the “schoolofcharity”whichisthemonastery.Jameshas saidmany times that it seemsa realschooltohim,andthathehassomethingtolearnfromeverybrotherhere. Recently James,who is awonderfulsinger,trainedinSouthIndian(Carnatic)music,wasleadingthesolemnSalve Regi-naattheendofVespers.Oneoftheguests

followed me out afterward and said, “Ihope you guys are keeping that monk.That ‘Salve’was a thing of beauty.”WehaveeveryintentionofkeepingJames. If you are or know of any man be-tween the ages of 25 and 40 interested in religious life, please contact Fr. Isaiah, <vocations@contemplation.com>.

Love and Kenosis2 ~ New Camaldoli Hermitage

Prior Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam.

OneoftheweaknessesofEnglish(aswehearsooftenfrompeoplewho speakother languages) is our limitedvocabulary.Forexample,thereisonlyonewordweusefor“love”overandoveragain.IcouldsaythatIloveicecreamandIlovemyfam-ily,IloveacousticguitarmusicandIlovemymonasticlife––butthesearealldifferentkindsoflove.RecallC.S.Lewis’famousbook,The Four Loves, inwhich hewrote about the four dif-ferentGreekwordsfor love:storge,whichmeans“affection”;eros,usuallyonlythoughtofasromanticlovebutwhichIthinkismuchbroaderthanthat;thenthereisphiliawhichislikefa-miliallovewhichcouldalsoextendtofriends––“Iloveyoulikeabrother.”(AtthispointourBroBenedictwouldbelettingusknowthatheisfromPhiladelphia––thecityofbrotherlylove!).Thenofcoursethereisagape,unconditionallove.IrememberallthewaybackwhenIwas18learningthatagapewastoloveasGodloves,tolovewithoutaskingforanythinginreturn.

Caseinpointis thatpoignantstoryat theendoftheGos-pelofJohn(Jn21:15-19),oneofthepost-resurrectionappear-ances, right after thebreakfaston thebeach,when JesusasksPeterthreetimesifheloveshim.It’skindofasillyexample,butwhat’sgoingonthatgospelremindsmeoftwopeoplewhohavebeendating,andatonepointintherelationshiponeortheotherdecidesit’snotreallyworking,andsotheyhave“that”conver-sation,orthatphonecall,orperhapsoneofthemsendsaletter(“DearJohn…”)oranemailor,for therealwimps, theysendthattextmessagesaying,“Ithinkweshould‘justbefriends…’”Well,obviouslythisisnotaromanticrelationshipbetweenJesusandPeter,butwhatwedon’tcatchinEnglishisthatinthewayJohnrecordsthisinGreektherearetwodifferentwordsbeingused for“love.” JesusasksPeter, “Doyouagapanme?”AndPetersays,“Lord,youknowIphileinyou!”Asiftosay,“Peter,doyoulovemeunconditionally?”AndPetersays,“Iloveyoulikeabrother!”thefirsttwotimes.AndfinallyJesussays,maybewithasigh,“Doyouphileinme?”

Nowsomescholars think that this isnothingbut a stylis-ticvariation(sincetherearealsotwodifferentwordsusedfor“sheep”andfor“toknow”),butIrememberhavingdinnerwithsomefriendswhowereprettyseriouslinguistsandscholars,andtheypulledouttheirGreekdictionaryandtheirGreekNewTes-tament,anddidaprettygoodjobofconvincingmethatPeterwasnotansweringJesuswiththesameintensitythatJesuswasasking.Andit’salmostasifJesusacceptsthatforthetimebe-ing,butyoucouldseetheprophecythatheoffersinanewlight:“Someday,Peter, youwill be boundhand and foot and takenwhereyoudonotwanttogo!”Andthattomeisanequivalentofunconditionallove:“Iwilldoanythingforyou,Iwillgoany-whereforyou,evenwhereIdonotwanttogo,evensomethingthatIdon’treallywanttodo,becauseIloveyou.”

Someofusreadabeautifulessay(“KilltheCreature”inthespring2015issueofThe American Scholar)bythepoetChris-tianWimanrecently,andIimmediatelystoletheinsightaboutkenosisfromhim.ThatofcourseistheGreekwordusedbySaintPaulinthegreatcanticlefromthelettertothePhilippians:Christ empties himself...Wimansaysthatthetermkenosis“referstothekindofself-emptyingthatGod”inJesus“performedinboththeincarnationandthecrucifixion.”It’snotjusta“sacrifice”;it’s“acompleteerasureforthesakeofsomethinggreater.”Andwhat’sgreater,Wimansays, is therealitythatweintuit“bymeansofrelationship—bothwithmatter andwith otherminds.” Jesusmakes itveryclear in thisgospel:“Ifyouprofess to loveme,feedmysheep!Tendmylambs!”justashedoesinotherplac-es:‘Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me(Mt25:40).’

Thisisagoodquestiontoaskourselves:AreweansweringGod, through Jesus, in theSpirit,with the same intensity thatGodisasking?Arewewillingtobecompletelyerasedforthesakeofsomethinggreaterthanourselves?Arewewillingtoshedourblood for the sakeofChrist?Arewewilling to laydownour lives forour friends?Arewewilling tosufferpersecutionforthesakeofjustice?Theseareallsimplythedemandsofthegospel.Atamuchmoremundaneandimmediatelevel,arewewillingtosupportoneanother’sweaknessesofbodyorbehaviorwith greatest patience, and earnestly compete in obedience tooneanother,notjudgingwhatseemsbestforourselves,butwhatwejudgebestforsomeoneelse,astheRuleofBenedictcallsforinthatbothersomechapteronmutualobedience(72:5-6)?Thatkindofavailabilityistheheartofourownthirdgood,Ithink.OurformerpriorgeneralEmanueleusedtosaythat’sthefirethatshouldinspireeveryaspectofourcharism,inthehermitcell,incommunityaswellasinthemissionfield––absoluteavailability.

Therearemanywayswemaybeboundhandandfootandledwherewemightnotwanttogo,andsowepraythattheSpiritwillgiveusthestrengthandardortoanswerwiththesamein-tensitywithwhichwearebeingasked,andbeChrist’switnessesinourthoughts,wordsanddeeds.

Save the Date“An Afternoon with The Prior”

Prior Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam.Los Angeles

Sunday, October 11, 2015 • 3:00-6:00 pmFor more information, please contact Jill Gisselere

jill@contemplation.com831.667.2456 x 114

www.contemplation.com 3

fromthepagesof…

Vita Monastica This is from an article penned in 1956 by the Dominican scholar Raimundo Spiazzi. In it he is commenting on Thomas Aquinas’ treatment of solitude in the Summa (II.VII.188). In our day and age we might never say that the solitary life is “more perfect” than the communal life, as Saint Thom-as suggests––perfection is to be where God wants us––but the salient point of the article is that solitude needs a good beginning––and it is not an end in itself. Fr. Spiazzi is sug-gesting that the absolute availability of the third good of the Camaldolese charism embodies the Thomistic teaching that every Dominican knows well, that the highest form of the spiritual life is to pass on that which has been contemplated, the “action that proceeds from contemplation.”

Inhis realism,SaintThomaspointsout theproblemofsolitude,andyetthefundamentalsenseofthearticleiscer-tainlyinfavorofitsbeauty,sanctityandimportance.Inrefer-ringtotheFathers,heinsertshimselfintotheclassicaltradi-tionofChristiandoctrineandspirituality.Forthatreasonhisconclusionisparticularlyauthoritative,basedonthefounda-tionsofauthorityandreasonandvalidatedbytheexampleofthesaints:“Asthatwhichisalreadyperfectprevailsoverthatwhich is still striving toperfection, so the lifeof solitariesprevailsoverthecommunallife,if it has been undertaken as it should be [emphasishis].”Butifsuchalifeisundertakenwithout theproperpreparation, it isverydangerous,unlessthatwhichhasbeenacquiredbyothersthroughpreparationismadeupbydivinegrace,asoneobservesinblessedAnthonyandBenedict.

The quarterly newsletterispublishedbytheCamaldolese Hermits of America forourfriends,oblates,andsponsors.

Editors: FatherCyprianConsiglio,OSBCam.,BrotherBedeHealey,OSBCam.,

DeborahSmithDouglas,OblateOSBCam.Development:JillGisselere

Public Relations & Design: SusanGarrison

Ifyouhavequestionsorcommentsaboutthispublication,pleaseaddressthemto:

NewCamaldoliHermitage62475Highway1,BigSur,CA93920(831)667-2456•Fax:(831)667-0209

E-mail:jill@contemplation.comorvisitusonthewebat:

www.contemplation.com

The Reading ListWhat the monks are reading these days. Fr.Thomas:Epistles of John,RaymondBrown. Fr.Robert:The Face Of Mercy,PopeFrancis;Cassian the Monk,Fr.ColumbaStewart,OSB. Fr.Isaiah:Year of Living Biblically,A.J.Jacobs;Band of Brothers,StephenAmbrose. Fr.Cyprian:A King’s Ransom,SharonKayPenman;Sources of the Self, CharlesTaylor. Br.Bede:Faith,MichaelEigen;Minding Spirituality,RandallL.Sorenson. Br.Joshua:Solitude & Mission: Dynamism of the Camaldolese Charism,AmericanBenedictineReview. Fr.Zacchaeus:Not My Father’s Son,AlanCumming;Ire-land Unhinged,DavidMonagan. PostulantDoug:The Sayings of the Desert Fathers,Sr.BenedictaWard,SLG,trans.;Heaven Begins Within You: Wis-dom from the Desert Fathers,AnselmGruen,OSB.

Saint Thomas couldaddtheexampleofSaintRomuald and his Order,inserted in the Benedic-tineandGregoriantradi-tion,withtheprudentandharmonic combinationof hermitage, cenobium,and apostolate. Howmuch more does thislast element enrich theCamaldolese synthesis,similartotheDominicanone, with that diffusiveand illuminating capac-ity which, according tothe Angelic Doctor, de-termines the ideal of themost perfect spiritualand religious life in theChurch(contemplata ali-is tradere*).Ifbetweenthecommunalandthesolitarylife,asbetweenthepurelyactiveandthepurelycontemplativelife––consideredastwojuxtaposedendsandtakenintheirrigoroussense––theprimacyisgiventothecontemplativeandsolitarylife well undertaken, the fullness of spirituality however isgiventothelifethatincludesandgivesimportancealsototheapostolate,notcutoff fromcontemplationbutflowing fromit.Actio procedens ex contemplatione**.Insuchasense,soli-tudecanalsobethewaytoandaresourcefortheapostolate.

*“Topassonwhathasbeencontemplated.”**“Actionproceedsfromcontemplation.”

4 ~ New Camaldoli Hermitage

NuestraSeñoradelaSoledad

-1-IfoundHerinatree,Thatmeansinatree,notatthetreenorbythetree,Butinsidethetree,Backinthewoods,theRedwoodstobemoreprecise,AndthattreewasaRedwoodtreeAndIsaywas,becauseitwasdestroyedbythefire.Well,almostdestroyed;There’sstillthehugebarklikeaBasilicaandSheinside.Insidethetree,withher“veladoras”(hercandles)allblackenedwithin.Justasitwouldbebackhome,Herhome,myhome,Mexico,Thatis,OurLady’shome-Guadalupe’s, youknowwhatImeanIntherusticwoodenchurches(“ermitas”wecallthem),Intheoldadobeandstuccotemples,Intheintimatemiserablehomes(thoughmorerichinjoyandlovethanmanyarich,comfortablehouse);Allblackenedwithinbysmokeandashesfromcandlesusedforworshipandfirewoodusedtobakethebread,well,thetortillas,forsuchisthedailybreadofourMother’ssonsanddaughters.-2-“Itmusthavebeenoneofthem”IthinkwhenIfindHersofaraway—“AMexicanmusthavebroughtHerheretothisplace”,apaisano,Isensehispresencearound;mostlikelyherpresence.Butno,Iwaswrong,BrotherIgnatiustellsme:“IputHerthere;Shewaslyinginaheapoftrash,IrecoveredHer.”Well,onlyhalfwrong,methinks-Heisherson.Andhisstorybringsbackanotherfrommyhome,SouthinChiapas,theplacewheremymindfliestoeveryday,asthesunandIrise:Acteal,Chiapas,where45weremurdered—Hersonsanddaughters—mostlywomenandchildren,whileprayingandfastingforpeace-December22,1997—Killedbygovernment-trainedparamilitaries.

(Youknow,SchoolofAmerica’sstuff:Killthecommies,killthedissenters,Killthepoor,Allthosewhorefusetobowandpraytoalmightydollar’sEmpire)

AndtheyfoundHerafterwards,Amongthedead,theblood-stainedclothes,thebrokenfurniture—She—brokentoo.AndtheyputHertogether,AndputonHernewvestments--asitistheircustom—DressedherasaBatsiTsem -AtrueMayanwoman-AndtheycalledHer:NuestraSeñoradelaMasacre OurLadyoftheMassacre.AndSheaccompaniesthem,asShedidthen,InLife,asinDeath,asinthecomingResurrection,Onearthasitisinheavenamen.-3-“Bewareofpoisonoak”saysBrother,“Lotshasgrownaroundtheplace,We’veneglectedit”.Methinks:“Don’tworry,I’musedtoit…Shealwaysappearsinthemidstofthingslikethat:Poisonandserpents,War—whereSheiswonttobringpeace,Injustice—whereSheempowershersonstofaceuptotheUnjustandtheOppressor.That’sthewayitgoes,youknowtheoldstory:Andthereshallbeenmitybetweentheeandthewoman,andsheshallbruisethyhead,andthoushaltbruiseherheel.

SoIwalktoherplaceheedinghiswarning:“Bewareofthepoisonthathidesinanivy.”Iknowitistricky:itchangesitshueandtheshapeofitsleaves.Three-leaved,that’sthecluetodistinguishitspresence.AndIcrossthebridgeasJuanDiegobeforeme,Fivehundredyearshence(Imean,countingbackwards)andthereindeedistheplant,uponcrossingthebridge,theaccursedplantisallover,initsmostharmlessaspect.AsIcomedownthemoundIstop:three-leavedplantblockstheway.Whatisthis?Otherversion?Three-leaved,oblongshaped.Buttheleaveslooktoosmallandthestemshavefreshbuds,Whatisthis?lookslikeroses,andthepetalssoftpurple…Butofcourse,it’sherplace!HowlikeHer!It’shercustomtoturnthornsintoflowers— Andbringhopetothetearful.OurLadyofthePoor,QueenofMartyrs.QueenofPeace.Orapronobis.

Rafael Landerreche is a lay missionary and human rights activist from Chiapas, Mexico, who stayed with us a month doing research and working on some writing projects.

contemplation.com ~ 5

Lectio Divina: Reading Scripture “What can be sweeter than a psalm? ...Really! A psalm is in fact a blessing for the faithful, praise for God, a hymn for his people, everyone’s applause, a universal word, the voice of the Church, profession and song of faith, expression of authentic jubilation, the sound of spiritual gladness, it mitigates wrath, frees from worries, relieves sadness. It is protection by night, instruction by day, a shield in time of fear, the festival of holiness, the image of tranquility, a pledge of peace and concord that, like a harp, fuses many and different voices in a single melody. The psalm sings the break of day and echoes still at sunset.” (from the writings of Saint Ambrose of Milan) Happy indeed are those who follow not the counsel of the wicked, nor linger in the way of sinners nor sit in the company of scorners, but whose delight is the law of the Lord and who ponder God’s law day and night.

They are like a tree that is planted beside the flowing waters, that yields its fruit in due season and whose leaves shall never fade; and all that they do shall prosper. Not so the wicked, not so!

For they like winnowed chaff shall be driven away by the wind. When the wicked are judged they shall not stand, nor find room among those who are just; for the Lord guards the way of the just but the way of the wicked leads to doom.

(Psalm 1, 1993 Grail)

Saint Joseph reading by Pier Francesco Mola

(1612-1666)

BrotherEmmanuelisaveryspecialmonkandfriendtomanywhoshareshiswonderfulwarmspiritwitheveryonehemeets.BrotherEmmanuelwasbornRichardWasingeronOctober14,1927inRushCounty,Kansas.Emmanuelwasoneofeightchil-drenofWendelinandBeataWasinger.HespenthisearlyyearsinKansasbutlatermovedtoColoradowhereheenteredtheBene-dictinenovitiateatHolyCrossAbbeyinCanyonCity,Coloradoin1957. Arelativestudyingforthepriesthoodattheseminary,FatherJosephStremel,laterMonsignor,recommendedtheBenedictinemonasterytoBrotherEmmanualforconsideration.Afterspend-ingadecadeatHolyCrossAbbey,Emmanuelseekingamorecontemplativelife,wastransferredtotheNewCamaldoliHer-mitage,professinghisvowstotheCamaldolesecommunityin1967. BrotherEmmanuelisaconstantpresenceintheNewCamal-doliHermitage,alwayssharingstoriesfromhispastespeciallyhis timegrowingup inKansaswhereheandhis familyhadawheatfarm.YoucanoftenfindEmmanueldrivinghisgolfcartaroundthepropertyenjoyingcheckingonthemanyprojectsun-derwayaswellasdoublecheckingthatthemachineryisrunningsmoothly.BrotherEmmanuelhasbeeninstrumentalinmaintain-ingthepropertyattheHermitageaswellaskeepingthemachin-ery runningsmoothlyover fortyyearsandhasbeenknown to“bless”both themachineryandevenemployees’automobiles.Hewillproudlytellyoutherewasa14-yearstretchduringhisresidencyattheHermitagewhenhedidnotleavethepropertyonce,andhasbeenoneofthefewwhostayedbehindduringtheevacuationsthathavetakenplaceovertheyearstoprotecttheHermitage. BrotherEmmanuelwillbecelebratinghis88thbirthdayinOctobersopleasekeephiminyourthoughtsaswearesograte-fultohavehiminourcommunity.

Q & A with Br. EmmanuelIfyouwereananimalwhat

wouldyouliketobe?An Elephant

Whatisyourfavoritefood?Chicken, Beef and Ice CreamWhatisyourfavoriteplaceto

spendtimeattheHermitage?Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Please join the Hermitage in wishing Brother Emmanuel a very Happy 88th Birthday!

Monk Spotlight

Brother Emmanuel Wasinger, OSB, Cam.

6 ~ New Camaldoli Hermitage

IncarnationMonastery

By Fr. Arthur Poulin, OSB Cam.

Please consider remembering us when making or revising your will.

Our official name is:Camaldolese Hermits of America

Our federal ID # is: 94-6050278

– Photo by Debi Lorenc

ThesummertimeinBerkeleyisalwaysquietwiththeexo-dusofover40,000students!Thuswehavebeenenjoyingamore lowkeyatmosphereand rhythmhereat IncarnationMonastery.Ithasbeenablessedopportunityforeachmonktopursuemorequiet,personaltimeforrenewal.Inthemidstofthistranquility,therehasbeenasteadyflowofgueststendedtobyourguestmaster,Ivan.Andrewcontinues to oversee the many projects and renovationsfortheupkeepofbothhouses.Recently,thefrontstairwaywhichisalsotheentrancetotheguesthouseandchapelwasrefortified and beautified with a welcoming fountain andsmall rockgarden.Arthur continues his paintingministryafteraveryfestiveandwellattendedopeningatMondaviWineryinNapa. Atdifferentmomentsduring thesesummermonths,wealsowelcomedtwonewpeopleintoouroblatecommu-nity:WalterEellsandSaraHurley.Thesecelebrationsarealwaysasignofhopeandjoyforthemonksaswellasourextendedprayingcommunity.OnAugust22,oblatesMartyBadgettandBillyMcLen-nanwill offer a SilentDay of retreat.Thiswill officiallylaunchusbackintoourfullscheduleofeventsandretreatsforthecomingyearbeginningwitharetreatdayofferedbyCyprianonSeptember19th.Formore informationonourcomingprogramsandretreats,pleasecheckoutourwebsiteatwww.IncarnationMonastery.org

WehavehadabusysummerattheMonastery. Wecompletedtheflooringinthemonasticchapel,thebook-storeandinourrenovatedconferenceroom,whichusedtobeonlytheoutdoorpatioonthesideofthechapelarea. Throughgenerousdonationsallthecostswerecovered.WealsoreceivedabeautifulbamboovanityandhammeredrecycledcoppersinkfortheareafromtheNativeTrailsCompanyhereinSanLuisObispo. Another project has been the development in the lowermeadowofthemonasticproperty,wheretheCelticHighCrossnowstands,ofwhatwecalltheResurrectionWalk.Thiswalk-ingmeditationareawehopewill inspireretreatguests,monksandothersintheareatotaketimetoponderthemysteryoftheLordJesusʼpassionandresurrection.TheStationsoftheCrossweregiftfromToniFlynn,anoblateofthemonastery,andwerethemselvesagiftfromthemonasticartistFr.MauervanDoor-sler of St.AndrewʼsAbbey inValyermoCalifornia before hedied.MikeHustonandhisbrother-in-lawAndy,alongwithJim

News from Monastery of the Risen Christ Fr. Daniel Manger, OSB Cam.

Scudder createdand installed the stations,whicharemountedonredwoodstainedposts,withthehelpofLucusSmithofBigWakooFenceCompany.AlsosomeofthefootballplayersfromCal-PolyUniversityalongwiththeircoachChriswereonhandtohelpremovethebarbedwirefencesandfencepostsandcorralalongwithRobert.Thankstoallofthemfortheirgenerositytothemonastery! ConstructionofthelabyrinthwhichadjoinstheResurrectionWalkhasbegunwiththehelpofMaryPatGeorgeandherhus-bandRon. FatherStephenhasbeengivingaseriesofpreachedretreatsand just completed teachingof hisfirstOn-LineCourse,withseveralstudentsfromaroundtheworldfortheirmasterʼscred-its inspirituality.Heisalsoanactingspiritualdirectorfor thenationalCapuchinNovitiateinLosOlivos,CA,foryetanotheryearandnewnovitiateclass. FatherRayhasbeentakingcareofthetreasuringandsee-ingtoitthatmanynotesofgratitudebesentouttobenefactors,assuringthemofourprayerfulremembrance.Hehasalsodevel-opedahealingprogramcalledHealingtheFamilyTree,whichcanbereadaboutonourwebsite.HejustcompletedahomevisittoNebraskaandhadawonderfulfamilyreunionandcelebration.FatherRayalsohelpeddevelopthenewtextforourrackcard,whichhelpspromoteourmonasteryʼsretreat/hospitalityminis-try. A little more than a month ago we sustained the loss ofFatherKenBrown thepastorofSt.PatrickChurch inArroyoGrandeanddeanofthepriestʼsdeaneryhereinthisareaofthediocese.Hewas a great supporter of themonastery;we shallmisshispresenceasdoesthefamilyandparishwhostillgrievehissuddendeath. WehavehostedsomeOblatedayswithspecialliturgyandalsowithconferencewithourPriorCyprianandFatherRobertpresent.Theyweredeeplyappreciatedandwellattended,foster-ingthecontinueddiscernmentofaffiliationandthedevelopmentofthenewmentoringprocessforourCamaldoleseOblates.

contemplation.com ~ 7

AtthebeginningofMay,aGermanBenedictine,Fr.Jeremi-asandIwenttoCroatiatovisittheCaveofS.Romuald.EversinceIfirstheardofthecaveafewyearsagoIknewitwasaplaceIwantedandneededtovisit. RomualdwenttoDalmatia(Croatia)in1001ADandspentfiveyears there.Hebeganbybuildingamonasteryatwhat isnowknownasKlostarandthentookhimselfofftoacavefortwoandahalfyearsofsolitude. JeremiasandIspentadayofreflectionatthecaveentranceandwerethenfortunatetobegivenaguidedtourof theinnercavewhereRomualdhadlived.Itisahugecavernabout150feetlongcontainingamazingstalagmitesandstalactitesformedovermillennia. Thecave,withitsintensedarknessandsilence,hasbeenthehabitatofhumansfor22,000yearsaswellas42differentspeciesofanimals.Itwasbelievedtobehaunted,butafterRomuald’sstayitbecameapilgrimageplace. ItwasmostprobablyinthecavethatRomualdexperiencedthespiritualbreakthroughofhislife.Hehadbeenaskingforthegiftof‘compunctionofheart’whenreadingthewordsofPsalm32,“Iwillinstructandteachyouthewayyoushouldgo;Iwillcounselyouwithmyeyeuponyou,”hewasovercomeandintearscriedout,“Jesus,dearJesus,desireofmyheart,joyofthesaints, delight of the angels.”Aswell as receiving the gift oftearsRomualdalsowasgiveninsighttoallofScriptureandtheWisdomofGodatworkinhim. Thevisit to the caveopenedand shifted something inmewhichIhavenotasyetbeenabletotodefineorgrasp.Isthissenseofaninterioropeninginmeaninvitationtoenterintomyowncave-heartandencounter theremydarknessandinnersi-lence?Ormightitbemydeepheart’slongingforsomeofRo-muald’scourage,tofacemyownfear,totrustandsitwaiting?Orasilentprayerforperseverancelikehis,tofollowmyownpathnomatterhowunorthodoxandunusual?Iamnotsure. Iwas,however,struckbyhowaliveRomualdistothepeopleoftheareaonethousandyearson.Theynotonlyknowofhimbutallabouthim,theyclaimhimwithprideasanintercessorandancestor.WhichmakesmewonderhowdifferentourlivesandworldcouldbewithevenalittleofRomuald’swildquestfor‘themore’.

In Romuald’s Cave in Croatia Fr. Michael Fish, OSB Cam.

Fr. Michael and Fr. Jeremias in the chapel inside the cave.

Fresco of Saint Romuald inside the cave.

Fr. Michael and Fr. Jeremias Marseilles, OSB, at the entrance to Romuald’s cave.

Fr. Michael and Fr. Jeremias with the stalagmites and stalactites in the inner cave.”

8 ~ New Camaldoli Hermitage

Scenes from the 3rd Camaldolese Assembly

Photos clockwise from top left:

Bro. Bede, Fr. Robert with Michael Mullard.

Fr. Michael Fish gave the opening conference Friday night.

A meditative display welcomes us at the entrance to the assembly hall.

Small group discussions took place Saturday afternoon.

Preparing the beautiful chapel for liturgy.

contemplation.com ~ 9

Ifyougoon-linetoYouTube,youcantypein“Palestrinasi-cutcervus,”selectarecording,andlistenforthewordsad fontes.Thetextis, Sicut cervus desiderat ad fontes aquarum, ita diserat anima mea ad te, Deus, whichisa16thcenturysettingofPs42:1 Asthedeerlongsforthewaterbrooks, Solongsmysoulforyou,OGod. ThebeautifulflowofthevoiceslyricallypaintsRessource-ment–fontes–returningtothesources–onethemethatemergedfromourcommunitygatheringofseekers,friends,oblates,andmonksatLaCasadeMariainMontecitothispastJuly. Participants have written to us about this third annualCamaldoleseAssemblynotingabalanceandflowtotheweek-end between being and doing, liturgy andmeditation, confer-ences and group reflections, and progress and new activities.Ourgatheringistakingroot,becomingarhythmofourextend-edcommunity’slife,andwelookforwardtothenextoneatStFrancisRetreatCenterinSanJuanBautistaJuly15-17,2016. LaCasadeMaria’sstaffprovidedwarm,attentivehospital-ityincludingcoughdropsforFr.Robert!Theenvironmentwasoneofrest,renewal,mindfulness,andexplorationrangingfromdelicioushealthfulmealstoSisterCorita’sartdottingthecam-pus. Throughlandscapephotographyandanimatedstory-telling,Fr.MichaelFishstartedourmovementtothesourcesbyleadingusonavirtual camino to thecaveofSt.Romuald inCroatia.Romuald spent twoyears of his life at the cave and a nearbychapel.Thecave:aprimordialplaceofsheersilenceandutterdarknessinsidetheearth,andthechapel:manymetersabovethelevelofthecave,rustic,withadeepwell. OurPriorCyprian, reflecting on theYear forConsecratedLife,gaveaconferenceonRessourcement,illustratinganorien-tationofgratitudeforourpast,passionforourpresent,andhopeforourfuturebysiftingthroughahistoricalcontextualreviewofCamaldolesespiritualityandpanningoutnuggetsofwisdomforourapplication. Cypriantaughtaboutthesourcesthathaveformedourcom-munitystartingfromthepatristicera,movingthroughthecentu-ries:6thcentury,Benedict;the8thto10th,St.BenedictofAnianeandthevariousreforms;late10th/early11th,Romualdhimself;14thcenturyhumanismatSantaMariadegliAngeli;inthe17thcenturythecongregationdividesintothree;theNapoleonicSup-

Reflection on 3rd Assembly By Helena Chan, Obl. OSB Cam.

pressioninthe19th;AnselmoandBenedetto’sressourcementatFonteAvellanainthe20thcentury.Heposedavitalquestiontousattheend,“WhatdoesthisreformmovementofRomualdinthe10th-11thcenturyhavetosaytothechurchandworldandspiritualseekersinthe21stcentury?” Through lightlymoderated discussion groups, our prayer,andEucharisticliturgyweponderedthisquestion,andcontinuetoletitspeaktous. Nestledbetweenlearningandworship,ispracticalcontem-plative action.Theworking groups have taken shape and arenowdistilledtothree:Oblates,Outreach,Youth,andVocations,andManagement andOversight.Each group gave a report ofactivitiesthatwehaveaccomplishedinthelastyear,aswellason-going initiatives, and participants committed to new plansandactionsforthecomingyear. Fr.Ranierotookuptheimageofthewellinhishomilyask,“AmIspendingtimeeverydaywithmyfirstlove,Godwithin?”Heinvitedus to takeadive into thecavewithinourselves tospendtimeinsilentmeditationandtobecomegroundedinthegutandtheheart,withGod. Fr.Robert’shomilyinvitedustolookupatthestainedglasswindowsinthechapel:thedeer,thebreadandwine;andtocon-siderChristourfriend,ourbrother,ourpeace,ourGoodShep-herdfullofcompassionforus. Asaninterlude,guestsenjoyedtheMonksQ&AwithBede,Raniero,Michael,Robert, andCyprian giving a jovial updateonnewsfromtheHermitage,Incarnation,andMonasteryoftheRisenChrist.NewtrailersarefinallyintheworksatNewCamal-doli! OblatesPaulaHustonandMikeMullardbroughtour timetogethertoaclosewithahopeful,activeorientationtowardsourcommunity’sfuturebypresentingthecreationofanoblatemen-toringprogramforthosewhoseekit.Theysharedtheirunique,serendipitouspathstooblation,andobservationsontheneedforwisdomandgraceintheprocess. This plumbing of the sources and practice of orientingourselves incommunitywithgratitude,passion,andhope isaspringboardtolivingthequestionof,“Whatareweindividuallyandcorporatelycalledtodointhistimeandinthisplaceinthelightof thesesources?”Wehope thatyouwill joinus forourcontinuedexplorationofthisnextyear.

Save The DateFall Open House

New Camaldoli HermitageSunday, November 8, 2015, 2 - 5 p.m.Food, music, holiday boutique and more

ForinformationpleasecontactJillGisselerejill@contemplation.com831.667.2456x114

Our cakes and granola, as well as many other great products are now available online.

Please support our community by ordering from our website:

www.hermitagebigsur.com.

10 ~ New Camaldoli Hermitage

From An Oblate’s Journal … By Matt Fisher, Obl. OSB Cam.

Academic Science and the “Third Good” At the time, I didn’t realize how transformative Fr. Ro-muald’swordswouldturnouttobe. Nearlytwentyyearsago,IbecameawareoftheCamaldoleseBenedictinesthroughtheirinvolvementwithinterreligiousdia-logue.IhadalsobeenreflectingonagrowingattractiontoBene-dictinespiritualityandwonderingifImightbecalledtobecomeanoblateof aBenedictinecommu-nity. At that time, New Camaldolihad a dependent house, EpiphanyMonastery, inNewBostonNHthatwasn’t that far from my home insouthwestern Pennsylvania. So thatsummerIwentuptothemonasterytospendfivedaysonretreat. DuringthattimeIhadanumberof conversationswithFr.Romuald,themonk in charge atEpiphany, about a variety of topics in-cludingCamaldolesespiritualityandwhatbecominganoblateinvolved.ItwasduringoneofthoseconversationsthathefirstsharedwithmethewordsofEmanuelleBargellini,formerPriorGeneral,whodescribedtheCamaldoleseperspectiveonChris-tianityasbeingabout“theprimacyoflove.”Atthesametime,Fr.Romualdmadeitquiteclearthatitwasmyresponsibilitytounderstandwhat thosewordsmeant in thecontextofmyownlifeasaChristian,amarriedperson,andachemistryprofessor.Hehadnoeasyorpre-determinedanswerstogiveme. So I returned home to start being an oblate postulant. Iworkedonrestructuringmylifesothatitincludedtheelementsofprayer(particularlyLauds/Vespersandlectio),thedailydy-ingtoselfishness/control/possessivenessdescribedintheOblateRule,andsilence/solitude.SincepartoftheOblateRulefocusedontheplaceofworkinaperson’sspirituality,Ibegantoponderthepossibleimplicationsthatbecominganoblatecouldhaveformyworkasachemistryprofessoratasmallliberalartscollege. ThefollowingMay,mywifeBettieandIreturnedtoEpiph-anyMonastery–onthelastweekenditwasopentothepublic–sothatIcouldbereceivedasanoblatebyFr.Romuald. Afewyearsafterthatevent,Ihadanopportunitytodevelopanewcoursefornon-sciencemajorsthatusedcomplexcivicis-suesasastartingpointtoteachthroughtotheunderlyingscien-tificconcepts.Idecidedtouseglobalsustainabilityastheoverallthemeand three specificchallenges– climate change, feedingtheworld’spopulation,andthreatstoworldhealth–astheis-suesthatwouldserveasstartingpointsforvarioussectionsofthecourse. Developingtheclassgavemetheopportunitytolearnmoreabouttopicssuchasmalnutrition,malaria,HIV,andtuberculo-sis.Bythen,IhadbeenanoblateofNewCamaldoliforaboutfiveyears.AsIcontinuedtograpplewiththechallengethatthemonkspresentedme,thechallengeof“theprimacyoflove”…Ibecameincreasinglytroubled.Wherewasthehumanfaceofis-

suessuchasHIV,malaria,Alzheimer’sdisease,ortuberculosisinmyupperlevelbiochemistrycoursesthatItaughteveryyear?The human reality – the pain, suffering, caring, and sacrificeofindividuals–noneofthosechallengeseverappearedinbio-chemistry textbooks.Theycouldn’tbe found in the traditionalwaythatbiochemistrywastaught.Ifinallycametotheconclu-sionthatmyacademicdisciplinewassilentontheseissues…not

silentinthepositiveandlife-givingwaythatthemonksatNewCamal-doli cultivate silence but silent asa mechanism of suppression anddenialandnotwanting toknoworchange. I realized that Icouldn’t teachthatway,thewayIhadbeenteach-ingforthepastdecade,anymore. So what was I to do? One of

thecorevaluesoftheBenedictinetraditionisconversatio,oftentranslatedas“conversionoflife.”WhatifIallowedmyapproachto teaching toundergoa conversion?Whatwouldhappen if IletgoofthesecurityofteachingbiochemistryasIhadalwaystaughtit,andtriedsomethingverydifferentforachange? Inthesummerof2005Istartedtoredesignmybiochemistrycourses for sciencemajors so that all of the science conceptswere learned through thecontextofpublichealth issues–Al-zheimer’s,AIDS,diabetesandobesity,influenza,vaccines,men-talhealth,andcancer.Ibroughtinreadingsfromvarioussourcesthatgavestudentsinsightintothehumandimensionofthoseis-sues. I created assignments that asked students to think abouttherolethatinstitutionalandpersonalvaluesplayedinhowwedealtwiththeseissues.AndgraduallyIfoundwaystochallengemystudentstointegratetheirlearningsothattheyrealizedtheirresponsibilitiesasscientiststothelargersocietybecauseoftheirabilitytounderstandandusedisciplineslikebiochemistry.Myteaching philosophy became focused on creating learning en-vironmentswheremystudentscouldconnect“head,hand,andheart.” Ididn’trealizeitthen,butlookingbackonthepasttenyearsI now see this journeyof transformingmy teaching as an ex-plorationinsomewaysofthe“thirdgood”oftheCamaldolesetradition. As the Constitutions and Declarations state, “TheCamaldolese tradition ischaracterizedby theunityof themo-nasticfamilyinthethreefoldgoodofcoenobium,solitudo,andevangelium paganorum[community,solitude,evangelization].”MoreandmoreIunderstandthelastelement,evangeliumpaga-norum,asrelatedtohowIgoout“inmission”andembodyinmyworkthevaluesoftheGospelthatpointtowardstheprimacyoflove. Backin1997,IhadnoideathejourneythatFr.Romuald’swordswouldstartmeon.Whatatransformingadventureithasbeen!I’mlookingforwardtowherethejourneytakesmeinthecomingyears.

Where was the human face of issues such as HIV, malaria, Alzheimer’s disease, or tuber-culosis in my upper level biochemistry cours-es that I taught every year? The human reality – the pain, suffering, caring, and sacrifice of individuals – none of those challenges ever appeared in biochemistry textbooks.

contemplation.com ~ 11

CALLING ALL FRIENDS AND OBLATES HaveyouhadatimeonretreatatNewCamaldolithatchangedsomethinginyou?Aninwardchangethatwasreflectedinaoutwardwayinyourlifeorwork? Ifso,we’dlovetohearfromyou. WehopetomakearegularfeatureofshortpieceslikethisonebyoblateMattFisher,andthearticleinourSpringissuebyoblateValerieSinkus. Wearealsohopingtorunoccasionalshortpiecesbyfriendsandoblateswhohavebroughtyoung friends (children, grandchildren,Godchildren)totheHermitageforaglimpseofmonasticlife,liketheessaybySylviaDeckinourlastissue. Please contact Fr. Cyprian at prior@contemplation.com orDeborahDouglasatdeborahsmithdouglas@gmail.comformorein-formation.

Centers of Gravity and Buoyancy: Thoughts on Benedictine Stability

By Deborah Smith Douglas, Obl. OSB Cam.

Excerpted from Deborah’s keynote presentation at the Camaldolese Millennial Assembly in 2013.

IhavebeenmakingannualmonasticretreatsinBenedic-tinemonasteries for as longas I can remember.And I havealways appreciated them as opportunities to reset my innercompasstotrueNorth. But at New Camaldoli my interior re-setting is deeper,more subtle,more powerful, andmore abiding, than I haveexperiencedinanyothermonastery. I am not sure why this should be so…it probably hassomethingtodowiththeunusualdepthofsilencethattheHer-mitageaffords, and theopportunity affordedby the solitudebothto“ascendthedepths”and“descendtotheheights”(asPriorCyprianlikestosay),andtorediscoverboththestabilityofbeinggroundedinGodandthelightnessofit—thechancetotestbothrootsandwings. I don’t knowmuch about sailing or shipbuilding, but IhavereadSebastianJunger’sbookThe Perfect Storm.InthatbookIlearnedthatthestabilityofashipinhighseasandbadweatherdependsagreatdealontherightrelationshipbetweentheship’stwoindispensablecenters:thecenterofgravity,andthecenterofbuoyancy(ofwhichIhadneverheard). These“centers”arenotstaticplaces,butopposingforces:gravityisthesumofallthedownwardforcesinthehull,buoy-ancyalltheupwardforcesthatkeeptheshipafloat.Thecenterof gravity is fixed, but the center of buoyancy is constantlyshifting.Itactsasthe“restoringforce,”the“rightingmove-ment”thatcompensateswhentheshipisbesetbyhighwindsandroughseas. Thesetwoopposingforcesworktogethertomaintaintheship’sstability.Equilibriumisfoundinaconstantlychangingbalanceofthesecontraryenergies,eachcompletelynecessarytotheother,neithersufficientalone. The“changesandchancesofthismortal life”—thehighwinds and stormswe cannot hope to avoid—canknockourcentersofbuoyancyandgravityoutofwhack.The solitudeandsilenceandsupportedprayerofaretreatcanrestorearightbalancebetweenthem;cangetusbackonanevenkeelsowemaycontinueonourway. Thisprincipleofphysicsandnavigationisnotonlyanin-sight about life ingeneral—illustrating theneed toholdop-posing forces in creative tension—it is also emblematic ofBenedictinewisdomaboutstabilityofheart,adynamicinte-riorwholenessthat—heldlightly—cankeepussteadyinanystorm. ThanksbetoGodfortheHermitage,andthebrothers’hos-pitality,andthechancewehave,whenwemakearetreat,torealignourdeepestselvestobothgravityandgrace.

Introducing Our New Development Director

Greetings from Big Sur! I amhonored and humbled to be part ofthe wonderful monastic communityatNewCamaldoliHermitage.IhavereceivedthewarmestofwelcomesasIbeganmyemployment in late JulyastheDirectorofDevelopment. IamaLosAngelesnative,whorecentlyrelocatedtoBigSurpursuinga life-longdreamtoreside inoneofmyfavoriteplaces.Ihavebeentrav-ellingannuallytoBigSurforthepastthirtyyears.ManyofthebestmomentsspentwithmychildrenwerehereinBigSuronourannualcampingtrips. Iamcurrently livingoff thegrid, learning the insandoutsoftravellingdirtroads,usingsolarenergyandcatchingrainwaterasourmainwatersource.Iconsidermyselfa“pioneerintraining”andwelcomeanyadvicefrommycolleagueshereattheHermitagewhohaveyearsofexperience. Ihaveoveradecadeofexperienceworkinginnon-profits,mostrecently serving as theAssociate Director of Donor Relations atMarlboroughSchool, andDonorRelationsManager, SpecialGiv-ingProgramsatthePancreaticCancerActionNetwork.Bothorga-nizationshadmulti-milliondollarannualfundraisinggoalsandweremanagedatthemostprofessionallevelprovidingmewithatremen-dousamountofexperience.IamexcitedtobringthisknowledgetotheHermitagetosupportthefundraising,marketingandcommuni-cationsinitiativesaswellastoprovideoveralladministrativesupporttothebusinessofficeandPriorCyprian. Wehavesomeinterestingprojectsandeventsunderway;wewillcontinuetoupdateyouthroughouttheyeartokeepyouconnectedtotheworkwearedoing.Wehavehadourbusiestsummerseasonever,withthousandsoftravelersfromaroundtheworldstoppingbytoenjoytheserenityofthisblessed,blessingplace.Thebookstore,chapelandretreatfacilitieshavebeenenjoyedandappreciatedbyallwhopassedthrough. Weareremindeddailythatnoneofthiswouldbepossiblewith-outourcommunitysupport:thankyouforbeingafriendtotheHer-mitage. Please contact me anytime at jill@contemplation.com, or831.667.2456x114.Iwouldlovetohearfromyou.

12 ~ New Camaldoli Hermitage

Activities, Events and Visitors

The Four Winds Council on June 3.

Participants in our “Come and See: Vocation Discernment Retreat”

Fr. Cyprian with the other participants in the Buddhist-Christian Gethsemani Encounter, May 28-30, Trappist, Kentucky, in the cloister garden.

Bro. JamesattendedatwoweeklongSummerConferenceforsimplyprofessedmonksatSt.Benedict’sAbbeyinAtchison,KS,June15-26. Bro. Bede participated in a weeklong Franciscan/CamaldolesedialogueatMountIrenaeus,NY,June22-26. Fr. Cypriandidaseriesofevents inBellingham,WAforStillpointandTurtleHavenretreatcentersJune25-28.

ThecommunityhostedanumberofyoungadultsandhelpedthemexplorevocationalandlifechoiceissuesontheCome and See retreatweekend,June19-21. Bro. IgnatiusleftforEuropeJuly2.HespentafewweeksvisitingfamilyandfriendsinEnglandandthenwenttoourmoth-erhouse,Camaldoli,tobewithourbrothersandstudyItalian.HethenheadstoRomeinOctoberforstudiesatSant’AnselmoandwillbestayingatSanGregorio,ourhouseinRome. Frs. Robertand CyprianmetwiththeSanLuisObispoob-latesattheMonasteryoftheRisenChrist,June11.

Cyprian, Robert, Raniero, Michael Fish and BedejoinedwithanumberofoblatesandfriendsforourannualassemblyatLaCasadeMarianearSantaBarbara. Fr. Stephen from theMonastery of the Risen Christ hasbeengivinganumberof conferencesonhumility to thecom-munity. Columbus Stewart, OSB,ofSt. John’sAbbey inColleg-eville,MNspenttwoweekswithusandreviewedhisworkonanewbookonmonastichistory. Fr. ZacchaeusvisitedhisfamilyinTexas. WewerevisitedbySr. Greta, Bro. Denis and Sr. MichelleoftheCommunity of Divine LoveAugust17-21. Fr. ThomasofferedaretreatontheSacramentsofNature. CyprianparticipatedinaninterfaithretreatinattheVajra-paniTibetanBuddhistCenterinBoulderCreek,CA,andRob-ert,alongwithoblatesMike Mullard and Patrick Mitchellof-feredaretreatonJohnCassianontheweekndofAugust21-23. Fr. Isaiah visitedhisfamilyinSacramentoinearlyAugust. August24wehadourfirsteverAll-Camaldolese Chapter,withourmonks fromBerkeleyandSanLuisObispo inatten-dance,discussingourrespectivemissionsstatementsandfutureplanningforourAmericanpresence. OurCommunityretreatwasledbyFr. Daniel Horan, OFM,August26-September2.Histhemewas“TheMonasticandthe

Mendicant:FranciscanInflu-encesonThomasMerton.”We had a wonderful visitfrom our old friends andbenefactorsEricaandEmily JohnSeptember1. Bros. Michael andGabriel attended the SCRCinAnaheim, CA, September4-6. Bro. Michael Har-rington also visited familyinMichiganandNewYorkinmid-September.