Resources

Customary
.pdf copy of the Customary for the Community of Solitude.

Constitution
.pdf copy of the Constitution for the Community of Solitude.

Conversation Guidelines
.pdf of the CoS rules for Godly conversation. Must read for all members.

Creating a Rule of Life
A .pdf with some pointers by Br. Peter in creating your personal Rule of Life.

Reflections
Regular reflections on contemplative monastic life by the members of CoS. Current offering: A post-Transfiguration meditation by Rev. Laura, OSB Obl., Teacher of the Community.


Sister Community
- Community of the Gospel

Other links
- Contemplative Rudder

- The Hermitary: news and articles for the hermit's life.

- Arts & Letters Daily: high quality selection of stories analyzing and commenting on current events.

- Ancient Faith Radio: music and talk from an Eastern Orthodox perspective.

- Discussion of the opus dei.
Largely based on material originally in Spanish, by Fr. Ruben Leikam, OSB. Translated and adapted by Prior Christian Leisy, OSB - Monastery of Christ in the Desert (www.christdesert.org).

Introduction and Pre-Monastic Office The Opus Dei As Liturgy
Divine Office Today Spirituality of Communion
Three Liturgical Cycles: Daily, Weekly, Yearly In the Presence of God
The Offices Source of Christian Life
Approach to the Psalms  
Toward a Theology and Spirituality of the Opus Dei  



The Brief Rule of St. Romuald

And he [Br. Paul] received this brief rule from Master Romuald, which he was very careful to practice throughout his life:

  1.    Sit in your cell as in paradise;
  2.    cast all memory of the world behind you;
  3.    cautiously watch your thoughts, as a good fisherman the fish.
  4.    The way is via the psalms – do not leave it. If, in your beginner’s fervor, you fail to do the whole psalter, do a little here and a little there, studying each with your whole mind and spirit, and when your mind wanders during the reading - don’t quit, hurry to refocus;
  5.    Place yourself in the presence of God with fear and trembling, as if standing before the emperor;
  6.    destroy yourself completely;
  7.    sit like a baby chick, content with the grace of God, who, unless its mother gives it something , knows nothing and has nothing to eat.

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