OCSO Novice Directors of the US Region Meet at Vina
As is their custom every other year, the novice directors of the OCSO and OCist houses in the United States met at New Clairvaux Abbey in Vina, California from June 3rd to 10th. Father Francois Diouff, OSB, a psychologist and the current director of of Southdown in Toronto, had been invited to give presentations to help us continue our work of guiding those who are entering this life from the present culture and time. This is a continuation of the work we had done with Brother John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, also a psychologist of Saint Meinrad Abbey, during our two previous novice directors’ meetings. It is the responsibility of each of our houses to provide a novice director to assist those called by God to live this contemplative monastic way, offering a program of study that equips them to embrace a monastic identity, living fully our three vows: stability, obedience and conversatio morum. The studies are in monastic history, scripture, theology, the Cistercian charism, ecclesiology, prayer, our vows and related areas over the six years of formation. Stability means we do not leave the monastery property unless we have a medical appointment or are sent on business. This is grounded in the monk’s desire to live listening for God with ears and heart, keeping one’s attention focussed on God. So too, obedience is understood from the etymology of obedience in latin – audire – to listen and conform to what is directed, in our lives, by God. Conversatio morum is loosely translated as ongoing conversion, always turning to God. Under this umbrella are found poverty and chastity, known to everyone from the three evangelical counsels: poverty, chastity and obedience. In the 21st century where freedom is cherished, monastic obedience and stability may seem more than a person can achieve. The call to ceaseless prayer and a lifetime of turning to God, can be challenging in a culture that encourages self gratification, that questions if a lifetime commitment is possible and finds trust hard to give. Novice directors meet with each new member of their community each week to listen as each one speaks of their relationship with God and the community, their prayer, their study, reflecting on Saint Benedict’s words: “God wishes to expand our minds and hearts”. This accompaniment is a responsibility that needs the wisdom of gifted individuals like Father Francois and Brother John Mark and the opportunities to be with other novice directors to discuss our experiences and grow.
All are grateful to the monks of New Clairvaux for gracious hospitality and a generous welcome embodying Saint Benedict’s encouragement to welcome every guest as the presence of Christ. We return to our monasteries hoping to fulfill the service entrusted to us so that our Cistercian charism will be carried into the church and world of the 21st century.
