Rambling Rector

From the Rambling Rector 

Spiritual Roots

​

Spirituality has been around since time began. It is a central part to nearly all religions and involves exploring meaning and purpose beyond the material world. It is where we seek a deeper understanding of oneself, others and the universe, through faith, meditation, nature and personal reflection.

​

This month the Rambling Rector has been thinking about monks and nuns who leave behind the material world to focus on meaning and purpose beyond the material world. Many religions have people who dedicate their lives to the ‘other world’ in some form or other. Monks often embrace solitude not as loneliness, but as a means of deepening their spiritual journey. The monastic lifestyle symbolizes a break from the distractions of everyday life, providing space for reflection, devotion, and service.

​

In Christianity, monasticism emerged as a response to worldly distractions, emphasizing prayer, humility, and service. Early Christian monks, inspired by figures like St. Anthony of Egypt, sought isolation in the desert, believing solitude allowed for a deeper connection with God. Benedict of Nursia formalized monastic living through the Rule of St. Benedict, which guided monks toward a life of work, prayer, and community. This was around 529AD, so some 1,500 years ago. This rule is still in use today in Benedictine monasteries in this country and throughout the world. Loders church was built as a Benedictine priory, by the French monks of Montebourg in 1109. These monks would also have followed the rule of St Benedict. These monks commit to prayer, work, stability, humility and hospitality.

​

St Francis of Assisi was another founder of monastic life, although a little later, around the end of the 12th century. The Franciscan’s emphasis is on poverty, humility and service, and they are known for their care for the poor and love of creation.

​

A common theme among all groups of monks is ‘Stability, Poverty, Chastity’. A note about all three of these:

​

Stability - Living a life of stability embraces routine. It is about saying prayers at the same times every day, eating meals at the same time every day and living in the same community with the same people. It fosters deep relationships, accountability, and spiritual grounding, ensuring monks remain rooted in their vocation rather than seeking constant change.

​

Poverty – Rejecting material wealth to focus on spiritual richness and communal support for one another. There are no many orders that reject all ownership of anything, but it is limited to what is needed.

​

Chastity – This is all about a dedication to purity and devotion, freeing individuals from personal attachments to focus entirely on their spiritual path.

​

As I hope you can see, at its core, monasticism represents a commitment to higher ideals — simplicity, contemplation, and unwavering faith. It remains a powerful testament to the human quest for spiritual fulfilment and divine connection. It has deep spiritual roots, tracing back to ancient traditions of solitude, discipline, and devotion. 

​

It is one of the reasons The Rambling Rector spends time in monasteries when on retreat. The monastery provides peace and time to pray and connect with the divine. With all the things that I do, it is important to take time to just be in the presence of God and be away from the busyness of life. Our churches are good at providing these little places of divine presence in each of the villages that they represent. Most are open every day and are frequently used by many people as a place of refuge when things are not going well. Please feel free to use your church to spend time in his presence.

​

In the Autumn we are, as our group of churches, planning on spending a day at Hillfield Friary, a Franciscan monastery just a few miles north of Dorchester. They are becoming a renowned monastery for their eco-credentials. The cost of the day is £10 and it gives an opportunity to spend a day in the company of monks and hopefully discuss with them how they see the monastic life. It will also provide time for individual prayer, reflection and meditation. There are opportunities to explore through various crafts or spending time in nature, or walking. Hopefully this will enable people to gain a deeper insight into their inner selves and the meaning of life. Please get in touch with me if you are interested or have any questions.

​

Rev Chris