Editor's Note

September 25, 2024

Abbot Matthew’s discussion of Merleau-Ponty’s theme of being “condemned to meaning” caught my eye, as it seems to have caught the ear of parents when it was first delivered in the early 1970’s, and it seems an appropriate way to kick off our “Voices of the Monastery” series. My own philosophical training came largely in Europe, amidst an intellectual culture impacted greatly by phenomenology and existentialism. I was familiar with Sartre’s discussion of our being “condemned to freedom” – apparently a lot of condemnation in the air amongst the French existentialists. Discovering Abbot Matthew’s text was for me a bit of a refresher, not only for ideas of Merleau-Ponty, but of the impression made on me as a student here in the 1970’s by the monastic community. Having arrived at the School a cynical and sophomoric Fourth Former, the thoughtful, prayerful, and humble intellectualism I discovered amongst the monks here left an impression. The whole God question, the entire notion of religious experience, moved into new territory. Fr. Gregory’s thoughtful homily in this issue, on the opening of God’s grace, provides evidence that such a culture of the intellect remains in place here. And even as we uncover old altars or re-cover liturgical chairs, we seem to rediscover physical and liturgical links to our previous incarnations and a continuity in our religious life. Let us hope that, in all of this, we continue to discern that meaningful voice who speaks to us not of condemnation but of salvation.

Pax,
Blake Billings

September 18, 2024

In my many years serving as a faculty member at the School, living as a member of our extended monastic community, there has not been a single day I have not appreciated the place God has given me to live. This is no exaggeration. But those of us who have spent any time here, at our haven along the Narragansett Bay, may realize that claim is not extraordinary. Those who have walked along the railroad tracks, sat at the boathouse or atop Cross Hill. Those who have marked the tide at the estuary, or been surprised to discover the waterfall at the dam. While Saint Benedict expresses in the Rule his humility in feeling always the chastened beginner in the spiritual journey, one may revel in this other sort of “Beginner’s Mind”, as Buddhists say. Many of the beautiful places here are ever a source of revelation, ever a grace of encounter. Like the sunsets that illuminate the evening horizon, offering ever renewed perspective and “orient-ation” – though they lie to the west. It is this appreciation that inspires our new monthly, “Places of the Monastery,” through which we hope to share some of this undiminished enthusiasm with our readers. And we might add that, despite these days of hyper-tourism, we still would love to have visitors. Come and see!

Pax,
Blake Billings

September 12, 2023

The hopes and the anxieties of the beginning of a new academic year are perhaps reflected in the pages of The Current in this week’s issue. Renewed energies, renewed responsibilities, renewing homilies, and ever new plans and projects. We rediscover and even re-create each September an extended community which arrives on our doorstep with each School year. The Current returns to its weekly pace, hoping to keep you abreast of these newly renewed (intentionally redundant there) happenings. We will also plan to introduce some new themes in our monthly features. First, “Places of the Monastery” will focus on spaces within the monastery or on the grounds which have held a fascination for many – such as the Zen Garden or the Boathouse. Secondly, “Voices of the Monastery” will provide a forum in which we can hear more from the monastic community on an array of topics. Along with these, we continue Br. Sixtus Roslevich’s popular series of our Artists, as well as our “Archives” drawing on various items from the monastery’s history. We are happy for this opportunity to “get back up to speed” and grateful for our continued readership.

September 3, 2024

I received the blessing, a few days before his death, of visiting Fr. Chris Davis shortly after he had received the Sacrament of Anointing. He was a man much diminished physically, his body reduced in size, appearing almost as an extraneous appendage. His spirit: this was filled beyond containing, overflowing, ready for flight. He welcomed me and repeatedly thanked me, “for all you do.” This gratitude brought to mind the very similar expression of thanks Fr. Ambrose Wolverton had given me when I last saw him, in the monastic choir, shortly before his own death. That both of these men should so earnestly express gratitude at these moments said much about them and convinces me they had indeed made their way up Benedict’s ladder of humility, filled more and more with the awareness of God’s love. Fr. Chris spoke to me of the “two wings of faith” – I began to think he may have held in his sight the very wings of angels. I was also reminded of Pope John Paul II referring to the two wings of “faith and reason,” hearing a message of affirmation in my call to the teaching of theology. Fr. Chris’ life was a gift, to the very end. And I myself am grateful to have been drawn into his generous circle of light.

Peace,
Blake Billings