Monasteries of the Heart | A new movement for a new world

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What is Monasteries of the Heart

Anne Wambach, OSB, prioress, Mt. St. Benedict Monastery

“In a period of great spiritual search, the world needs the kind of ancient spiritual tradition that can energize the present as it has the past. That,” said Sister Anne Wambach, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, “is the Benedictine charism.”

With this in mind the Benedictine Sisters of Erie have initiated Monasteries of the Heart: A New Movement for a New World.

“The Benedictine way of life has lasted for over 1,500 years because it has adapted to the times,” Sister Anne explained. “Monasteries of the Heart is one more adaptation of this spirituality. We believe Benedictine life has something to offer to today’s search for community, spirituality, meaningful work, care of creation and peace.”

Monasteries of the Heart is a new form of Benedictine life for our time. It is a monastic movement for lay people designed to respond to the great hunger and thirst for spirituality that exists in today’s world.

Monasteries of the Heart is a monastery “without walls” — it unites individuals and groups by Benedictine values not necessarily geographic location. MOH provides individual seekers a monastic website for spiritual sustenance and personal growth. It provides both creativity and stability by enabling community groups to form both an online and by the formation of small on-site communities of like-minded seekers who meet in parishes, homes, neighborhoods and prisons.

Monasteries of the Heart began in April 2011 as an outreach of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. It was launched in conjunction with the publication of the movement’s basic text, The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life by Erie Benedictine Joan Chittister.

Erie Benedictine Mary Lou Kownacki, coordinator of the new movement, explains, “This is a response to requests that we’ve received to develop a new form of Benedictine spirituality for a new face of society. Monasteries of the Heart welcomes seekers of God everywhere.”

How do I become a member?

What do members do?

Initial Formation Text for Monasteries of the Heart Members

In The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life, bestselling author Joan Chittister delivers a road map based on the ancient Rule of Benedict that stands as a practical model upon which to build a satisfying life, despite the seemingly limitless and, at times, meaningless supply of options in the modern world. By giving spiritual seekers—individuals, couples, families, and small groups—a new opportunity to live a better life from the very center of their world without ever having to withdraw from it, Chittister’s new approach redefines Benedictine living for modern-day seekers while remaining firmly rooted in its monastic values.

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Members access to FREE study guide

Video Presentations and Reflections

Joan Chittister on community

Joan Chittister on the regularity of prayer

Joan Chittister on the Single Heart of MOH

Joan Chittister on Monasteries of the Heart

Prayer of those who dwell in a Monastery of the Heart

Loving God,
You who dwell in our hearts,
make for us a cave there
in which to hear your voice
more distinctly,

feel your care
more tenderly,

understand your will
more clearly,

and come to know
your presence
at every moment
of our lives
with new clarity
and new courage,
with new faith
and new urgency.
++
Enable us to grow
in the Benedictine spirit
in ways that make us
compassionate co-creators
of a world in process,
creative keepers
of the human community,
loving listeners
to the heartbeat of the world,

caring sisters and brothers
to its wounded
and bringers of peace
to a world in distress.
++
Let us sink into your Word,
let us nourish it to life,
let it lead us beyond
the burdens of the day
so that we may become
the people you desire us to be.

Give us hearts
where all may enter in,
ears to hear your call,
hands to do your will,
voices to sing your praise
and soul enough
to recognize You
in everything we do.

This we ask
through the intercession
of all the faithful monastics
who have gone before us
and through the grace
of the living God.
Amen.

— Joan Chittister

You are invited

Monasteries of the Heart brings the Rule of Benedict, the person, and the community together to do again in our own time what is needed to revive our spiritual energy, our recognition of common values, and a sense of vibrant and effective human community.
—Joan Chittister

You are invited to live a radical Christian life.

You are invited to join 5,000 seekers around the globe who are creating a new form of monastic life for a new society.

You are invited to join Monasteries of the Heart.

Get your FREE membership now

Do you desire that God becomes the rhythm of your day

Do you believe there is wisdom in ancient traditions like the Benedictine way of life that offer insights and alternatives to alienation, violence, injustice, oppression and ecological devastation

Do you prefer thoughtful questions not definitive, dogmatic answers to spiritual issues

Do you bow before the dignity of each human being regardless of their gender, sexual orientation or religious tradition

Do you care to be a loving listener to the heartbeat of the world

Do you yearn for community, a network of seekers who wrestle with the great mysteries of life

If your answer is YES, you have fulfilled the MOH membership requirements.

Benefits of belonging to Monasteries of the Heart:

You are on the cutting edge of a new expression of monastic life
You are part of a world-wide movement that springs out of contemplative foundations--together we can sustain the energy, serenity, courage, hope and action needed to build a better tomorrow for our children
You have access to a daily Scripture reflection from Joan Chittister
You have access to daily prayer and Benedictine spiritual practices
You can converse with other seekers by posting and responding to comments
You can find “soul-partners” who share your passion for the God life
You can receive a free weekly MOH e-newsletter
You can register for e-courses on Benedictine spirituality
You can join an onsite or online Monastery of the Heart community

Join Monasteries of the Heart now