“Monastic Wisdom for the World Today,” a public lecture event with Kathleen Cahalan to be held Jan. 27

“Monastic Wisdom for the World Today,” a public lecture event with Kathleen Cahalan to be held Jan. 27

“Monastic Wisdom for the World Today” with Kathleen Cahalan will be held in the Clare Boothe Luce Library Saturday, Jan. 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is part of the Mepkin Abbey 75th Anniversary Symposium Series.

Lecture titles and topics:

 Session 1: Contemplative Practice: Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina, once a practice solely for monastics, is now a widespread, ecumenical practice of many laypeople. What is similar and different for lay people as we take up this practice in our contemporary context? What can we retrieve from early desert monastics that provide us new ways of practicing Lectio that will help anchor our lives in these times?

Session 2: Contemplative Practice: Discernment

John Cassian said that discernment is the mother, guardian, and guide of all the virtues. It is foundational to the spiritual life and to the way we respond to God’s callings. This session will examine practices of discernment from the monastic tradition, including Lectio Divina and unknowing, that can strengthen our life in Christ.

Click here to register for this event.

Kathleen A. Cahalan is professor of practical theology at Saint John’s University School of Theology and Seminary where she teaches courses on pastoral ministry, pastoral care, and spiritual practice. She is co-editor of Calling All Years Good: Vocation across the Lifespan (Eerdmans, 2016), coauthor of Christian Practical Wisdom (Eerdmans, 2016), and co-editor of Opening the Field of Practical Theology (Rowman and Littlefield, 2014). She has also authored books for church audiences, including Stories We Live: Finding God’s Calling All around Us (Eerdmans, 2017) and co-author of A Living Discipleship: Called on the Way (Liturgical Press, 2024). She is currently at work on a book on Lectio Divina.