“True Christianity and true monasticism consists in the practice of the commandments of the Gospel. Where this practice is absent, there is neither Christianity nor monasticism, whatever the outward appearance may be.” – The Arena (An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism)
The “life of monks” does not consist of many things but of a few things done well. To be a saint––to save and sanctify one’s soul––only one thing is necessary: to rest at the feet of Jesus and to follow in His footsteps, to receive the Word of God and to “do whatever He tells you.”
The life of monks (Ora, Lectio et Labora) is primarily and essentially contemplative, and therefore includes the obligation of an ordered and balanced life of daily prayer and study, which overflows into apostolic service and preaching––to rebuild and renew the Church through the pursuit of holiness and communion with God, and to evangelize the world through the sharing of truth and love. For the life of monks is simply the study of the Interior Life (the life of the soul with God), the practice of it, and the sharing of its fruits.
THE ONE THING NECESSARY