Bruno was widely recognized for his great learning--having been a teacher of nobles, several future bishops, and even a pope. But his smarts were not all. Upon his death in Calabria, his brothers wrote:
Bruno deserves to be praised for many things, but especially for this: his life was always the same. That was typical of him. He always had a smile on his face, always a prudent word. To the severity of a father he joined the tenderness of a mother. Great he was, but everyone found him gentle as a lamb. In truth, he was the Israelite praised in the Gospel [cf. Jn 1:47].Bruno was never formally canonized; such honors are strictly shunned by humble Carthusian sensibilities. But the devotion shown him by his brothers eventually spread through the whole Church.
"Only those who have experienced the solitude and the silence of the wilderness can know the benefit and divine joy they bring to those who love them."
"No act is charitable if it is not just."
"In the solitude and silence of the wilderness..., for their labor in the contest, God gives his athletes the reward they desire: a peace that the world does not know and joy in the Holy Spirit."
"If the bow is stretched for too long, it becomes slack and unfit for its purpose."
--Saint Bruno
Thanks Father for sharing this... a while ago I met a young man in a bus and he told me that his 'goal' is to become a Carthusian monk. I didn't know what it was and of course coming back at home, I googled and for several days now I was lead to your blog.
ReplyDeleteFather, I have a question.
How can a monk in silence serve God?
Can you tell me your point of view on this matter. At the age of 58, I still have a lot of questions but I love hearing other points of views.
I do thank you Father in advance and have a peaceful Sunday!
dorotea jocelyne
I assert no authority on this matter, from my perspective however I feel this silance the many of old testament Prophets, monks, saints, and Christ was a vital aspect of their spirituality. In this silence they found a connection of some measure to the divine. I feel monks replicate "Habbits" in a pilgramage of great men who likewise could come nearer to the divine. Connected to god they did great acts of miraclious scale, out of love only was there every act. Truth and light of christ path guiding their way.
DeleteJocelyne:
ReplyDeleteA monk serves God (and the world) by his life of prayer, which will occupy the greater part of his day—interceding for the rest of the human race and joining with the angels in giving the Lord the praise which is his due (and for which many of us do not have the time). And a monk serves God by his witness: through his chastity, poverty, silence, stability (commitment to remain in the monastery), daily work, and in other ways, too, standing as a sign before the world of higher values, thus preaching (without words) a message which calls us all to higher things.
--Fr. Joe
Simply I feel he lost himself to the holy spirit out among creation where he could still his mind and marvel at the miracle that is creation itself. A rapours joy, a love connecting all things.
DeleteThank you Fr. Joe for sharing your thoughts about St. Bruno. Myself and our vice president and secretary spent four days at La Grande Chartreuse and also, along with the Prior of America's only Charterhouse visited the St. Bruno retreat house which formerly was the Charterhouse Selignac, and also the Charterhouse at Ported, where we met with the current Revernd Father Dom Dysmas.
ReplyDeleteDivino Amore Ferventes!
Kevin Kane
Founder/President
International Fellowship Of St. Bruno
Carthusian1@yahoo.com
You're very welcome, Kevin.
ReplyDelete--Fr. Joe
Love to live with them for some time.... Touching article father...
ReplyDeleteLove to live with them for some time.... Touching article father...
ReplyDelete