In May, 2005, BBC TV first aired a series entitled, “The Monastery.”  It followed the day-to-day challenges of five ordinary men living among the monks of Worth Abbey, England. 

For forty days and forty nights, the men exchanged their commonplace day-to-day lives for St. Benedict’s sixth century Monastic Rule.  Viewers were surprised to discover that the cloistered monks were very practiced in responding to contemporary needs, not in spite of their Benedictine spirituality, but because of it.         

Abbot Jamison was asked to compile a book outlining Benedict’s Rule due largely to the great success of the television series.  Worth Abbey was overwhelmed with retreat requests and prayer inquiries.  This astounding interest confirmed for the Abbot that “our founder, St. Benedict, still has lots to say to people today.”    

Finding Sanctuary expands on the prime Benedictine virtues of silence, obedience, and humility to include contemplation, community, spirituality, and hope.  Monastic life “reshaped the hearts and minds” of the five men.  They learned to speak to God from their hearts and ask His intent for their lives.  God’s answer came in their understanding to “profoundly listen.” 

Jamison explains, “Real delight in life comes from the acceptance of realities other than one’s own—the reality of the other person’s needs and the reality that some things should be accepted as they are.”  We are all invited to pray—speaking to God as friend—that we, too, will hear His invitation of love, peace, and sanctuary. 

Author’s bio:  Joanne Bennardo writes from Ohio.