We have been making much of late, with the involvement of the Manquehue movement in our monastic and School community, of the practice of lectio divina. It is, of course, an ancient practice, embraced fully by Saint Benedict, and practiced in various forms over the centuries. It is prayerful reading, believed, if the name is indicative, to be divinely inspired. Many students and faculty, myself included, have participated in sessions of lectio, finding them life-giving and fulfilling. I feel most grateful that this involvement has prompted me to pursue the practice in personal prayer, with at times vivid and powerful results. We have student leaders, faculty leaders, and a growing parent group dedicated to lectio. I encourage all to learn more about it.
 
I was prompted to write this note by this past Sunday’s new designation: Sunday of the Word of God, and through subsequently reading Friday’s gospel prayerfully. We learn in Mark 4:34 that the disciples of Christ were in the privileged position of not only hearing his parables, but of having them explained to them by him personally, “in private.” We, his current disciples, I have come to believe, are still in that position of privilege: we are placed in that position in prayer, in lectio. We find him available to us, if we have ears to hear - the ear of the heart that Benedict calls us to employs. We hear his voice, and are guided as he again opens the Scriptures for us.

Read more about lectio.

Pax,
B. Billings
February 1, 2020

I occasionally catch a moment to stop in to see Fr. Chris Davis, monk of Portsmouth in residence at The Grand Islander, a nursing home in Middletown. Less frequently, I make it “all the way” to Newport, to see Fr. Julian Stead at St. Claire’s. I had the blessing of checking in with them both this week. Fr. Chris has recently been elected President of the Residents’ Council. When I arrived they were just beginning a cocktail party, not of his initiative but surely meeting his approval! Fr. Julian continues apace with his reading and writing, having a room that offers glimpses of Newport harbor. I asked them about Effie Fortune: Fr. Julian referred to her as “Miss Fortune,” surely an un-fortunate homonym she must have had to contend with throughout her life. Fr. Chris remembers walking over to take her art class in her specially modified studio. He also referred to her harelip, a feature that various accounts indicate was a struggle for her. Fr. Julian remembered with delight her spunk, and recounted a visit with her in Sweden, coinciding with a visit to Bishop Ansgar. Neither Fr. Julian nor Fr. Chris had recollections of Esther Puccinelli, who remains more of a mystery for the Portsmouth archives.  I was grateful to see the two, and to more personally trace some of the vibrant and dynamic storylines that tie together the fabric of our history.  

Pax,
B. Billings
February 8, 2020