IS THERE ANYONE HERE WHO YEARNS FOR LIFE?
st. benedic t ’ s abbe y
2021 Holy Week Retreat St. Benedict’s Abbey Atchison, Kansas March 31-April 4
In-person & Livestreamed
We invite you to participate in person in the conferences and liturgies in the Nave of our Abbey Church. These will also be livestreamed and available for playback (except the Liturgy of the Hours) for those out of town making a retreat-in-place.
N o ta B e n e This is a vade mecum (Latin for go with me or walk with me), i.e. a portable reference, and also journal, in this case, made to accompany its bearer wherever he or she goes. Before using this vade mecum we suggest reading the Remain in Me guide to making a retreat-in-place and consider what proposals from the monastic life will help you and your household enter into Holy Week (and perhaps also the remainder of Lent). This includes suggestions on how to prepare for praying the Liturgy of the Hours on your own if you are not able to come to the Abbey. For convenience, a place to write in your personal Horarium (hours of events) is given in both books. Links to further resources including the Stations of the Cross and proposals for families and children: kansasmonks.org/triduum2021
Ta bl e o f C o n t e n t s All Times are CDT
A Question. . .......................................5 From the Retreat Master............6 From the Prologue. . ...................... 7 Wednesday.........................................9 7:00 pm - Introduction
Holy Thursday................................11 10:00 am - Conference 1 3:00 pm - Conference 2 7:30 pm - Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday . . .................................. 15 10:00 am - Conference 3 1:30 pm - Conference 4 3:00 pm - Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion 7:00 pm - Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday................................ 19 10:00 am - Conference 5 3:00 pm - Conference 6 8:30 pm - Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday. . ...............................23 8:15 am - Conference 7 10:00 am - Mass of Easter Sunday
Psalm 34........................................... 26 A Note on the Paintings.......... 28
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A Question Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days? This is the question St. Benedict asks the newcomer interested in monastic life (Prologue, 15). It is from Psalm 34, the psalm used by the early Church as a catechesis to prepare new candidates for baptism, to communicate to them the experience they were being invited into in the communion of believers – the experience of the resurrection: Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who hopes in him (Ps 34:8). So, in a way, this question is the criterion St. Benedict gives for the vocation, and for the whole Christian experience: Are you the one who loves life and wants to see good days? He continues, “If you hear this and your answer is ‘I do,’ God then directs these words to you…” St. Benedict invites us to take this indomitable need of our heart seriously, as the way we can recognize and follow what God is proposing to us through the events of our life. At first glance, the many events of the past year may make such an invitation seem naive. But, in fact, the answer to this question is at the heart of true stability in all things – the desire now to experience true life, to know true joy, in all circumstances. To stay with it, with an expectation that this life will be revealed in time by the One who gave me this question. Not later. Not when the vaccine is distributed, or when this or that problem is solved. Now. Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2). We invite you during these privileged days of following Christ during Holy Week to join us and, as St. Benedict invites us, inclina aurem cordis – to draw near with the ear of our heart and listen for the root of this unconquerable life and peace we desire, so that, as he concludes the Rule, “He may bring us all together to everlasting life.”
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Fr om the Retre at Master Welcome to St. Benedict’s Abbey 2021 Holy Week Retreat, which began in 2000. Our reflections center on a significant question from Psalm 34 and the Prologue to the Rule of St. Benedict: “Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days?” After our experiences of the past year and reflecting upon our need for the virtue of Hope, this question points us in the right direction. It makes me want to raise my hand, and with the insistence of a child, yell, “Me!” But what does this have to do with the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ? Our question at hand is about new growth arising from old. We have undergone a pruning process this past year. And new growth is emerging from soil plowed by this year’s events and watered by our tears. Central to this experience is the stark reality of the Cross, which becomes the Tree of Life for us. We live our life at the foot of this Cross, with Mary our Mother. And there we yearn for life and desire to see good days. Please know that the ongoing prayer of the monks will intercede for you during this holiest week of the Church’s year. We invite you to take on aspects of the monastic way of life using our resources as you pray this retreat in-place in your home. It is a glimpse of our way of life, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share it with you. May the Lord richly bless you during this time! In Christ through Mary,
Fr. Jay Kythe Br. Angelus Atkinson Retreat Master Assistant
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Prologue to the Rule of Saint Benedict, 8-21 Let us get up then, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse us when they say: It is high time for us to arise from sleep (Rom 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the voice from heaven that every day calls out this charge: If you hear his voice today, do not harden your hearts (Ps 95:8). And again: You that have ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches (Rev 2:7). And what does he say? Come and listen to me, sons; I will teach you the fear of the Lord (Ps 34:12). Run while you have the light of life, that the darkness of death may not overtake you (John 12: 35). Seeking his workman in a multitude of people, the Lord calls out to him and lifts his voice again: Is there anyone here who yearns for life and desires to see good days? (Ps 34:13). If you hear this and your answer is “I do,” God then directs these words to you: If you desire true and eternal life, keep your tongue free from vicious talk and your lips from all deceit; turn away from evil and do good; let peace be your quest and aim (Ps 34:14-15). Once you have done this, my eyes will be upon you and my ears will listen for your prayers; and even before you ask me, I will say to you: Here I am (Isaiah 58:9). What, dear brothers, is more delightful than this voice of the Lord calling to us? See how the Lord in his love shows us the way of life. Clothed then with faith and the performance of good works, let us set out on this way, with the Gospel for our guide, that we may deserve to see him who has called us to his kingdom (1 Thess 2:12).
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Wednesday of Holy Week March 31 st
horarium
My Time _______ _______
Abbey Time CST UTC -6
Event
5:00 PM 7:00 PM
Vespers Greetings and Orientation
O r i e n tat i o n N o t e s
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Holy Thur sday
April 1 st
horarium
My Time _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
Abbey Time CST UTC -6 5:25 AM 5:45 AM 6:00 AM 6:20 AM 7:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:45 AM 12:00 PM 12:55 PM 3:00 PM 6:10 PM 6:30 PM 7:30 PM 9:30 PM
Event
Bell to Rise Vigils Lauds Silence (Lectio Divina) Breakfast (optional) Conference 1 Midday Prayer Silence (Lectio Divina) Lunch Conference 2 Festive Dinner with table reading Recreation (until 7 p.m.) Mass of the Lord’s Supper Compline
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Conference 1 Notes
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Conference 2 Notes
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G o od Friday
April 2 nd
day of silence & fasting horarium
My Time Abbey Time CST UTC -6 _______ 5:25 AM _______ 5:45 AM _______ 6:00 AM _______ 6:20 AM _______ 7:00 AM _______ 10:00 AM _______ 11:45 AM _______ 12:00 PM _______ 12:55 PM _______ 1:30 PM _______ 3:00 PM _______ 5:00 PM _______ 7:00 PM
Event
Bell to Rise Vigils Lauds Silence (Lectio Divina) Breakfast (optional) Conference 3 Midday Prayer Silence (Lectio Divina) Lunch Conference 4 Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion Dinner with table reading Stations of the Cross For those able to join us in Atchison, meet at the North Parking Lot near the dog run.
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Conference 3 Notes
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Conference 4 Notes
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H o ly S at u r d ay
April 3 rd
horarium
My Time Abbey Time CST UTC -6 _______ 5:25 AM _______ 5:45 AM _______ 6:00 AM _______ 6:20 AM _______ 7:00 AM _______ 10:00 AM _______ 11:45 AM _______ 12:00 PM _______ 12:55 PM _______ 3:00 PM _______ 5:45 PM _______ 6:10 PM _______ 8:30 PM
Event
Bell to Rise Vigils Lauds Silence (Lectio Divina) Breakfast (optional) Conference 5 Midday Prayer Silence (Lectio Divina) Lunch Conference 6 Vespers Dinner with table reading Easter Vigil
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Conference 5 Notes
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Conference 6 Notes
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E a ster Su nd ay of th e Resurrec tion of th e L ord April 4 th-10 th April 4 th
horarium
My Time _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______ _______
Abbey Time CST UTC -6
Event
6:40 AM 7:00 AM 7:20 AM 8:15 AM 10:00 AM 12:05 AM 12:15 AM 4:15 PM 5:00 PM
Bell to Rise Lauds Breakfast (optional) Conference 7 Mass of Easter Sunday Midday Prayer Lunch Silence (Lectio Divina) Solemn Vespers
The solemnity of Easter is celebrated for eight days (an octave). The fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost are celebrated in joyful exultation as one feast day, or better as one “great Sunday”. These above all others are the days for the singing of the Alleluia - General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, #22
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Conference 7 Notes
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Notes
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Psalm 34 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall be always in my mouth. My soul will glory in the LORD; let the poor hear and be glad. Magnify the LORD with me; and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he answered me, delivered me from all my fears. Look to him and be radiant, and your faces may not blush for shame. This poor one cried out and the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he saves them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his holy ones; nothing is lacking to those who fear him. The rich grow poor and go hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you fear of the LORD. Who is the man who delights in life, who loves to see the good days?
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Psalm 34 Keep your tongue from evil, your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are directed toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The LORD’s face is against evildoers to wipe out their memory from the earth. The righteous cry out, the LORD hears and he rescues them from all their afflictions. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed. Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all. He watches over all his bones; not one of them shall be broken.i Evil will slay the wicked; those who hate the righteous are condemned. The LORD is the redeemer of the souls of his servants; and none are condemned who take refuge in him.
From the New American Bible
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A N o t e o n t h e Pa i n t i n g s
“There is something about the line between atmosphere and earth, about the interaction between the tops of trees and air that make me look.” This is how Marc Bohne describes what has moved him to paint the works featured in this book.
In these paintings one can see trees, tall or squat, reaching up to the sky and, you can almost sense, down deep into the earth, for life. The broad, dry, gravel road, overhung by an impenetrable line of the forest, is cut by sunlight where it appears to end, only to reveal a narrow strip further on. The fields of wheat, cast in an unseen cloud’s growing shadow, wave, still smoldering with light. A pool of standing water gathers nearby, full of the golden sky. All these solid things meet the great, shimmering horizon of the American midwest, sometimes hidden but always present. And they seem to be filled with a waiting – an expectation that the mysterious and great promise present in this place will be revealed. Looking at these paintings it is hard not to think of St. Paul’s words to the Romans undergoing perplexities and trials: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. For creation awaits with eager expectation the revelation of the children of God…” This revelation he describes as their “glorious freedom” for which “all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now.” Bohne has put it this way, “We know what we need by what moves us. The heart longs for what it is missing, the absent or denied things that will make it whole.” We are privileged to be able to share the paintings in this booklet with Bohne’s generous permission, and grateful for the way in which he helps us to look.
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Page Number . . ....................................... Image Title 4..................................................................... Heartland 8..................................... Boone County Blues Suite #4 10......................................................In the Flood Plain 14...................................................Haze Near Rosebud 18........................................ South Dakota Daybreak II 22............................................................ Missouri Rain Images by Marc Bohne Used with the artist’s permission marcbohne.com
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1020 N. 2nd Street | Atchison, KS 66002
