Do you remember the silly children’s song about the old lady who swallowed the fly? The poor, misguided woman tried again and again to rid herself of her problem, by swallowing bigger and bigger things—a spider, a bird, a cat, a dog, a goat, a cow, and finally a horse—and she’s dead, of course! The Law of Unintended Consequences, popularized in the 20th century by American sociologist Robert Merton, is like that. Someone does something, no doubt with the best... Read more
I was doing my training to be a Catholic priest when a Dominican asked me if I would consider the monastic life. I said, “Sure! Can I bring my wife and four kids?” My book Listen My Son – St Benedict for Fathers is my attempt to integrate Benedictine values into the life of the Catholic home. How does a married person learn from the Benedictine Way? The fact of the matter is, that if we are able to see... Read more
The Benedictine monk vows stability, and this means he will stay in one place. He’s not on the move like a friar or a missionary. He can’t be whisked here and there like a diocesan priest. He stays put. That’s why a Benedictine, when asked will not just say, “I’m a Benedictine monk.” but “I’m a monk of Douai” or Downside or St Vincent’s or Solesmes or Quarr or whatever his monastic house happens to be. That’s where he has... Read more
This little bunny can show you how it’s done! Read more
Fill in for The Anchoress? Cool! So just out of the gate, what do I do? Talk about chick flicks. Talk about crying, for Pete’s sake! Just in case I haven’t completely lost you big burly types (I mean guys), let me take a minute to wax philosophical. I spent some time last year stewing about Purgatory, and I’d love to hear what YOU think. PURGATORY AND PRESUMPTION: Please Don’t Forget to Pray for Me Let’s play... Read more
The Benedictine Monk takes three vows: Stability, Obedience and Conversion of Life. The three vows are braided together like three strands of a strong rope. Each of the vows has a concrete expression. The vow of stability means the monk promises to remain in one community for life. He commits himself to one family of monks, one place, one set of buildings, one way of life. The whole point is to stop him doing ‘a geographical’. He’s not allowed to... Read more
I was first introduced to the Benedictine Way through an oblate of St Anselm’s Abbey in Washingoton DC. June Reynolds was a slight old woman with white hair and a mischievous smile who picked me up from the line of college students looking for a days’ work when I was at Bob Jones University. It turned out she lived in a little cabin in the woods with her husband that she had designed herself. It was a snug little place... Read more
I know, I know I said I was outta here, and I am, but this was so charming, I had to post it; we don’t often hear Pope Benedict XVI laughing and exclaiming, “Mama Mia!”: “They want to be in the pope’s house!” exclaimed Benedict XVI. Immediately reminded me of this, of course: Okay, and now I really am outta here! Read more
I am no one special. Just a common man with common thoughts. I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but in one respect I’ve succeeded as gloriously as anyone who ever lived. I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul and for me that has always been enough. –Duke (James Garner), “The Notebook” I’m a pretty tough cookie when it comes to the movies. I sit back... Read more
Hello Everyone! I’m thrilled to be here alongside my esteemed co-hosts at The Anchoress, where the best readers on the internet congregate. If you’ve never heard of me, or my blog, Betty Duffy, that puts you with the vast majority of people online who read blogs. Kathy reports that my schtick is organized and happy, which causes me to fear that I have gravely misrepresented myself online. Keep reading, and I’m sure you’ll encounter my miserable and disorganized side as... Read more
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