Living like monks in quarantine

In every age there are a small number of Catholics who
intentionally isolate themselves from society to serve God and the
church through lives of “prayer and labor.”. They’re called monks.
Gregory Hillis, an associate professor of theology at Bellarmine
University in Louisville, Ky., knows one community of monks
particularly well: the Cistercian monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani.
In a recent essay for America, he shares some wisdom from the monks
for living in solitude during a time of pandemic. Greg joins
Ashley, Zac and Vivian in this bonus episode to explore the
rigorous yet transforming practices of monastic life, the power of
silence and letting go of a false sense of control over our lives.
They also discuss the most famous monk of Gethsemani Abbey, the
writer and mystic Thomas Merton. We treasure the community you all
have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate
to share your experience during this difficult moment in the life
of our church and the world. We cannot make this show or grow this
community without your support. Please consider giving through
Patreon. And thank you. Links from the show:  “We’re all monks
now,” by Gregory Hillis Books by Thomas Merton referenced by Greg
Hillis: "The Intimate Merton: His Life from His Journals" "New
Seeds of Contemplation" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
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