Benedictine Options

Patrick Henry was professor of religion at Swarthmore College from 1967 to 1984 and executive director of the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research from 1984 to 2004. In retirement he is a columnist for the St. Cloud Times. Among his books are New Directions in New Testament Study; For the Sake of the World: The Spirit of Buddhist and Christian Monasticism (with Donald Swearer); Benedict’s Dharma: Buddhists Reflect on the Rule of Saint Benedict (editor); and Flashes of Grace: 33 Encounters with God.

"Patrick Henry, who has lived and worked among Benedictine men and women for many years, is offering us a refreshing and realistic look at the way that ancient Benedictine values are lived in the world today. At a time when so many societies are damaged by divisive ideology, naked greed, and lust for power, this book helps us to see there is another way. In these pages we find monastics--ordinary people living an extraordinary life of prayer and community--who make us realize that grounding oneself in love and hospitality is not ancient, but always new, and more relevant than ever."Kathleen Norris, author of The Cloister Walk and Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer's Life

• ContentsAcknowledgments ixPart One: Option or Options 1Chapter One: Where the Benedictine Charism Isn’t 7Chapter Two: How the Benedictine Charism Is 23Part Two: Tradition and Traditions 39Chapter Three: Long Ago 43Chapter Four: A Wagonload of Trouble 61Part Three: Bungee Cord Theology 75Chapter Five: Other Christians 80Chapter Six: Other Religions 94Part Four: The World of Many Colors 107Chapter Seven: Sea Ebbs, Bell Clangs 115Chapter Eight: Learning from Father Godfrey and Sister Jeremy 131Notes 146Note on the Cover 160