In Your Light We See Light
Each day, we Brothers gather beneath the gaze of sixteen of our forebears in the religious life, spanning from Anthony of Egypt in the third century to our own founder, Richard Meux Benson, in the nineteenth. As the sun illuminates their faces in our clerestory windows, creating icons in glass, so did their own faces—and lives—shine with the light of new life in Christ through his death and resurrection. “In your light,” we pray with the psalmist, “we see light” (Ps 36:9).
In a series of sixteen video reflections on our monastic ancestors, we invite you to reflect on your own “family tree of faith.” Whose face shines out God’s light and love into your heart? Whose example inspires you to make your own life “shine like stars in the world” (Phil. 2:15)?
Icons in Glass
Br. Keith Nelson reflects on St. Antony of Egypt, the "father of monks," as an embodiment of equanimity: the balance and peace Christ bestows in all circumstances.
St. Pachomius' vision of monastic life, as Br. Lucas Hall explains, was "being alone, together": solitude finding expression in community.
As both theologian and monastic founder, St. Basil takes his place in the great cloud of witnesses who spurs us Brothers on, as Br. Jamie Nelson reflects, to "change and mature in response to the Holy Spirit."
St. Augustine of Hippo's account of his own movement toward God, his restless heart, Br. Lain Wilson reflects, gives us a model for prayerful self-examination.
Br. Geoffrey Tristram explains how communities, our own as well as that envisioned by St. Benedict, help to form us and save us from ourselves.
St. Columba prayed to have a "burning lantern" within him to give light to others, Br. Curtis Almquist recounts, a life-long conversion as response to God's invitation.
Br. Lucas Hall remembers St. Gregory the Great, who offered refuge and peace during a time when the world seemed to burn.
Br. Jack Crowley reflects that the life of St. Bruno, the founder of the Carthusian Order, reminds us that change is always possible.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Br. Jamie Nelson reflects, gives us a model for reimagining faithful discipleship today.
Br. Luke Ditewig sees in St. Dominic an invitation to pray with our lives and preach with our bodies.
Br. Jack Crowley recalls St. Francis of Assisi's contagious love, passion, and enthusiasm that moves us out of our comfort zone.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Br. David Vryhof reflects, shows us how the spiritual life is a constant letting go of ego and pride.
Br. Lain looks at the life and poetry of St. John of the Cross, who invites us to find freedom in even the darkest night.
St. Vincent de Paul, reflects Br. Jonathan Maury, provides an example to us on the humility to accept God's call.
Br. Jonathan Maury looks at John Mason Neale's short but productive life of service and artistry.
In his reflection on our Society's founder, Richard Meux Benson, Br. Keith Nelson points to the formative power of communities of love.