Product Description

Living at the heart of the mystery of the hidden life of Jesus at Nazareth, a Camaldolese hermit here sings the praises of the silent life in the desert of those men and women whom Christ calls. These few and very simple conferences were given to some brother hermits. They endeavor to express the meaning of their "disappearance", which in our difficult and grandiose period of history has about it a savor of modernity. A subsequent reflection of the author on St. Romuald's monastic experience has been translated from the Italian and added to this edition as an appendix. "A son of St. Romuald, you have sensed the call to disappear, as do all lovers. Hermits themselves are, in fact, lovers who have chosen the shade, a life hidden with Jesus in God . . . . It ought to be enough for us to be known by God." Father Louis-Albert Lassus, O.P. (1916 - 2002), who prepared this anonymous work for publication in its original French edition and wrote the introduction, was a longtime friend of the Camaldolese Hermits. His writings include Livre de vie des ermites et des reclus du bienheureux Paul Giustiniani, Pierre Damien, l'homme des deserts de Dieu, and Nazarena, une recluse au Coeur de Rome. An Italian translation of the present work was published in 2003.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #114632 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 120 pages

Customer Reviews

Spirituality of Camaldolese Life Today
This is a book of conferences by an anonymous Camaldolese Benedictine monk of the strict Monte Corona branch of the order. It is not a general introduction to the subject of the hermit life, it will have the most value for people specifically interested in Camaldolese hermit spirituality. It presents a picture, relatively more practical than sublime, of the monks' struggle to define and live their vocation in the present, post-Vatican II world. These conferences touch on many different practical and spiritual concerns. What is the Christian meaning of the totally hidden life? Am I a lesser monk if I am not moved to copious tears over my sins? Is work an obstacle to the contemplative life? What is the relationship of the hermit to the Church? These are some of the matters discussed. There is also a 30 page essay "The Monastic Experience of St. Romuald (+ 1027); A New Interpretation of the Sources." Again, it is not an introduction to St. Romuald but is a commentary on his life. It seems to me well informed and insightful.