Eat (a little), pray (a lot), love (God): Meet the beer-brewing Monks of Norcia Ep. 161

“We’re all monks now” was an early refrain about life in
coronavirus lockdown. Time slowed down as we kept to our houses and
limited contact with family and friends. Of course, unlike monks,
we also had Zoom calls and Netflix. Lots and lots of Netflix. So we
wanted to talk to a monk and find out just how much our Covid
quarantines resemble life in a monastery. Dom Benedict Nivakoff,
O.S.B., is the prior of the Monastery of San Benedetto in Monte in
Norcia, Italy, the birthplace of St. Benedict, considered the
father of Western monasticism. We ask Father Prior about living
under St. Benedict’s Rule and what advice he has for those us
struggling to accept the limitations of pandemic life. And during
Signs of the Times, Pope Francis has dedicated the next year to St.
Joseph. Zac and Ashley share their takeaways from “Patris Corde,”
the pope reflection on the foster father of Jesus. Next, the pope
plans to visit Iraq in March, but can he do so without putting his
and others’ health at risk? And you’ve heard of “Elf on the Shelf,”
but what about “Mary on the Mantel”? The hosts debate the merits of
a new Advent tradition. Finally, we need your help! 2020 has been a
year like no other. It has been filled with suffering and longing,
for sure, but also moments of grace. And we want to hear about
yours. Send a short voice memo to jesuitical@americamedia.org
describing a specific time in the last year when you found God
working in your life. We hope to share your consolations in a
special Christmas episode. Links from the show: Pope Francis
proclaims a year dedicated to St. Joseph Patris Corde Pope Francis
plans to visit Iraq in March after getting a Covid vaccine ‘Mary on
the Mantel’? Think ‘Elf on the Shelf,’ but Catholic What’s on tap?
Birra Nursia Blonde Ale (You can order it here. A great Christmas
gift for the beer lovers in your life!) Learn more about your ad
choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices