Happy Christmastide and a Blessed New Year to all
May blessings be with you and your loved ones
at this time of peace, joy and goodwill.
We pray for an end to war.
We thank Almighty God for His Graces
and Blessings over the past year.
A candle has been lit in
remembrance of all who are suffering
or have lost their lives due to war.
Our thoughts are with their families,
colleagues and friends.
Image with thanks to Freepik AI generated content by CN Whittle
Amma at prayer in the desert
Ammas and Abbas - early founders
The persecution of Christians in the Early Church led to an exodus of believers to the deserts of Syria, Egypt and Asia Minor. These Christians became ascetics. The Christian women became known as mothers (ammas) and the Christian men as fathers (abbas). They were the early founders of what would become known as the desert movement.
The desert was selected as a place to seek and hunger after God. These ascetics practised detachment from earthly comforts and were devoted to the pursuit of spiritual growth. [1] Their purpose was to live as hermits in the desert, to live a solitary life solely dedicated to God.
Anthony of Egypt and Pachomius
During the late 3rd century a Christian man named Paul, living in the city of Thebes in Egypt, was forced into the desert during the Decian persecution. He lived in a cave while awaiting the end of the persecution, and found he enjoyed the solitude and freedom to fast and pray. Paul embraced life in the desert and lived in that cave for many more decades as a hermit dedicated to the worship of God. [3]
The famous desert father Anthony of Egypt gave away his inherited riches, and retired to a hut in the desert. Anthony dedicated his life to fasting and prayer, living a life of poverty to the glory of God.
An Egyptian from Thebes named Pachomius (292-348) was one of the founders of modern communal monastic life. When he was 20 years old, he endured imprisonment and received kindness at the hands of Christians. Pachomius became a Christian after his release from prison in c. 314. [2]
Father of Cenobitic Monasticism
Saint Pachomius felt drawn to the Desert Fathers and built his cell in the desert near St Anthony. He realized that most of the men who desired Anthony's eremitic life could not live in such solitary isolation. He decided to build 10 to 12 room houses where men could live in individual rooms and undertake practices of holiness. Thus Pachomius is called the 'Father of Cenobitic Monasticism.' All these centuries later, there are still Christian monasteries scattered throughout the Sahara Desert in Egypt. [2]
Desert fathers
Other desert fathers include Saint Macarius of Egypt, Abba Agathon, Saint Amun, Saint Basil of Caesarea and Saint Moses. Those who were highly influenced by this early monasticism were Saint Athenasius of Alexandria, Saint John Chrysostom, Saint Hilarion and Saint John Cassian. Saint Benedict later developed the Benedictine rule for monasticism based on the writings of the early desert fathers. Thus most modern-day religious orders can trace their spiritual heritage to Egypt. [3]
Saint John Cassian brought the wisdom of the desert fathers to Europe, and his influence spread as far as Ireland. Thereafter, Ireland's own form of monasticism developed, largely based on the writings of Cassian and example of Saint Anthony. [3]
Desert mothers
Many women were leaders in the desert reform. Syncletica, Thecla, Macrina, Paula and Pelagia are some of the mothers (abbas) who shaped the spirituality of the desert movement.
Saint Syncletica and her sister
Syncletica was born in the 5th century to a noble Christian family in Alexandria, Egypt. She moved with her blind sister to the desert outside Alexandria to live in simplicity and prayer. Other women soon followed Syncletica, and she served as their spiritual mother. She called her followers to empty themselves of attitudes which did not spring from closeness with Christ. Syncletica loved learning, as she believed that ignorance hindered spiritual growth.
Saint Macrina
Macrina was the elder sister of two bishops, Gregory and Basil. She taught that humility and love were the goals of philosophy. Macrina turned the family home into a monastic community where all possessions were shared. Her holy life attracted many followers.
Saint Pelagia
Saint Pelagia was a woman who dressed as a monk in later years. An actress in her earlier life, Pelagia heard Bishop Nonnus preach in Antioch. She gave away all her possessions, and just before her baptism, she left wearing Nonnus' cloak, never to be seen in Antioch again. Pelagia assumed the identity of a monk, and retreated to the desert.
Years later, one of Nonnus' monks travelled to Jerusalem to pray with a holy man name Pelagius. He returned a few days later to find that Pelagius had died. In preparing Pelagius for burial, he found that Pelagius was actually Pelagia, a woman.
Saint Paula
Paula (347-404 AD) was a desert mother. After the demise of her husband, Paula went on pilgrimage to the holy sites. Concluding her journey, Saint Paula decided to remain in Bethlehem to develop a monastery and spiritual retreat with St Jerome. Paula and Jerome built a double monastery in Bethlehem - one for Paula and her nuns, the other for St Jerome and his months. The addition of a roadside hostel was also constructed to serve as an economic source to fund the monasteries. [4]
Many abbas and ammas
There were many desert fathers and desert mothers. Their words of wisdom have a lot to offer us in today's world. Further blog posts will follow in which the serenity of some of the holy words will be reflected.
Influence of the desert movement today
The influence of the desert fathers and desert mothers can still be felt within our world today. At times, yearning for a more peaceful life within the hustle and bustle of our constantly changing world may be experienced.
Live the simple life
The example of the early abbas and ammas offer inspiration if we wish to live more simply, think more slowly and clearly, eschew over-reliance on earthly goods. Further, their example helps us to be resilient and self-disciplined. Following the holiness of the frugal monastic lifestyle helps us to offer daily difficulties as sacrifices to God for the advancement of His Kingdom here on earth.
Emulation of the example of regular prayer of the desert fathers and mothers, proves a strong spiritual support. It is holy to dedicate time each day for prayer and silence to still your thoughts, refresh your mind and strengthen your relationship with God.
[1] Women's history month: Early Church Women and Desert Mothers
[2] Sandra Sweeney Silver. Early Church History: Who were the Desert Fathers?
https://earlychurchhistory.org/who-were-the-desert-fathers/
[3] Philip Kosloski. Who were the Desert Fathers and why do they matter?
https://aleteia.org/2017/05/09/who-were-the-desert-fathers-and-why-do-they-matter
[4] Paula of Rome
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_of_Rome
With thanks to cbeinternational.com, earlychurchhistory.org, aleteia.og and wikipedia.org Paula of Rome
Image courtesy of Freepik AI generated content with CN Whittle
BELOVED SAINT CLARE OF ASSISI BESTOWED WORDS OF WISDOM FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. This holy woman of God expressed, "We are to become vessels of God's compassionate love for others." The saint further thanked God, saying: "Blessed be You, my God, for having created me." [1] Saint Clare had profound respect for the gift of life, for creation within the womb.
Information re Planned Parenthood
A candle has been burning in remembrance of Santa Clara University in California, Catholic Jesuit University, which reportedly offers students information on website re Planned Parenthood, Alleged News. [2]
What is Planned Parenthood?
Planned Parenthood provides reproductive health care to women, including abortions; Alleged News. [3]
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church teaches that "human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life." [4]
[1] Quotes from St Clare of Assisi
https://www.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit-blog/holy-quotes-from-st-clare-of-assisi/
[2] Santa Clara University, Student Health Counseling and well- being, Sexual Health: Alleged News
https://www.scu.edu/bewell/sms/sexual-health/
[3] Planned Parenthood; Alleged News
https://www.factcheck.org/2018/05/planned-parenthood-2/
[4] Catechism of the Catholic Church, I. Respect for human life, no 2270
Resources franciscanmedia.org. scu.ed. factcheck.org and vatican.va
Image with thanks to Freepik AI generated content by CN Whittle
St Gertrude the Great was a 13th-century German nun, writer and mystic who was graced with many heavenly visions. It is recounted that Jesus showed her a vast number of souls entering heaven from purgatory as a result of her faithful and frequent recitation of the following prayer.
"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen." - Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great
Why not follow in the footsteps of holy St Gertrude, and pray for the souls in purgatory?
Image with thanks to Freepik AI generated content by CN Whittle
Let us care for, and protect, infants and little children. We do this as disciples dedicated to Jesus, Who loves the little children.
We follow Jesus Who did not judge or condemn others, but helped them to restart their broken lives with their heads held high.
Let us do likewise.
We follow One Who died forbearing to raise His Hands in violence, even to save His own life.
Let us then eschew violence towards others.
