Presentation for Oblates of St Scholastica Monastery, Duluth MN on 9 March 2014. Focus on virtues that monks are instructed to do and how they are to avoid the vices proscribed. Also drawing on Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow.

1. CHOOSING FOR GOOD
AND NOT FOR ILL
BENEDICTINE OBLATES
ST. SCHOLASTICA MONASTERY
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
9 MARCH 2014
L'offerta dell'abate Desiderio a S.Benedetto. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana.

2. Choosing for Good
• Choice: the decisions
we make.
• We use our minds, our
hearts, and our spirits.
• Most people, most of
the time, if they can
make a choice, will
choose what they think
will lead to good.
• AND YET …
https://lh3.ggpht.com/1Hb4US1tr9A/UorXdhIGTOI/AAAAAAAAB1E/4P3uBw8TMGc/s1600/path12.jpg

4. Choosing for good can be hard
Photo © by Sister Edith Bogue
“For we know that
the law is spiritual;
but I am of the flesh,
sold into slavery
under sin. I do not
understand my own
actions. For I do not
do what I want, but
I do the very thing
I hate.”
Romans 7:14-15

5. Quitting and Leaving

6. Cognitive Psychology
describes the brain’s
TWO ways of thinking:
1. Fast / habitual / auto
2. Deliberative, reason
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2012/06/sketchnoting/

7. Cognitive Psychology of Virtue
• Without System 1, we
are stuck in a minute
• Without System 2, we
have no control
• Repeated actions
and choices train our
System 1 by reason
• This is a modern
description of the
ancient working of
the virtues.

8. Desert Abbas & Ammas
“There is labor and great struggle for the
impious who are converted to God, but
after that comes inexpressible joy. One
who wants to light a fire first is plagued by
smoke, and the smoke drives him to tears,
yet he finally gets the fire he wants.
It is written: Our God is a consuming fire.
Hence we ought to light the divine fire in
ourselves with labor and with tears.”
Amma Mary of Egypt
Amma Synclectica

9. VALUES
&
VIRTUES
L'offerta dell'abate Desiderio a S.Benedetto. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana.

10. Values and Virtues
Values are principles for
a group or society
• “A principle, standard, or
quality considered
worthwhile or desirable.”
(The Free Dictionary,
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/values)
• “Society should be animated
by a just hierarchy of values.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church §1895)
http://www.suncorp.com.au/corporate/careers/life-at-suncorp/values

11. Values in Benedictine Organizations
St. Scholastica
St. John’s and St. Ben’s
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Hospitality
Respect
Stewardship
Community (College)
Love of Learning (College)
Justice (Benedictine HS)
Awareness of God
Community Living
Taking Counsel
Respect for persons
Listening
Dignity of work
Hospitality
Stewardship
Truthful living
Moderation
Common Good
Justice

12. “Virtue” is an ancient concept
• Virtues move towards what is good.
• Ancient traditions
– Greek and Roman philosophers named
and practiced virtues; e.g. Plato:
• prudence
• Justice
• Fortitude
• Temperance.
– Both ancient and modern religions
recognize similar virtues
– The early Church adopted Plato’s
core virtues as “cardinal”

13. “Theological” virtues are Christian
http://www.sabecorse.net/3theologicalvirtues.htm

14. Values and Virtues
Virtues are practices and actions
of an individual
• “Firm attitudes, stable dispositions,
habitual perfections of intellect and will
that govern our actions, order our
passions, and guide our conduct according
to reason and faith.”
• “They make possible ease, self-mastery,
and joy in leading a morally good life. The
virtuous person is one who freely practices
the good.”
• “Virtues are acquired by human effort.
They are the fruit and seed of morally
good acts; they dispose all the powers of
the human being for communion with
divine love.”
(Catechism of the Catholic Church §1804)
Justice bears her scales; Prudence
carries a mirror to remind us that
we must "know thyself“ first;
Temperance carries a cup and
pitcher, pouring just enough.
Fortitude is shown as a warrior
with sword and shield.

15. CHOOSING GOOD
ST. BENEDICT’S WAY
L'offerta dell'abate Desiderio a S.Benedetto. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana.

16. Benedictine and Monastic Virtues
• “Charisms” are specific ways of
living the Christian life.
– They have particular practices taught
by their founder.
– These practices are designed to help
the person grow in holiness and
become centered in God.
• St Benedict’s Rule and the example
of his life teach us his specific path.
• The Rule does not name values,
it teaches practices of virtue.
St Benedict written by Sr Mary Charles McGough

17. Make many small choices every day
• Habits of action help us do
good even without thinking
• Prayers, the psalms, reading
scripture form our minds so
our thoughts are for good.
• We must turn aside the
other thoughts persistently.

18. The Cellarer
Photo © by Sister Edith Bogue
(Chapter 31)
Wise, mature character
Temperate
God-fearing
Keep custody of orders
Deny bad requests kindly
Keep custody of own soul
Care for sick, children,
guests and poor
Treat all goods as
sacred vessels of the altar
Give everything in
proper measure

19. The Cellarer
Not excessive eater
Not haughty or turbulent
Not harmful or sluggish
Not wasteful
Do nothing without order
Not sadden the brothers
Not treat with disdain
Not neglect anything
Not be avaricious
Not wasteful, squanderer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monk_tasting_wine_from_a_barrel.jpg

20. • A regular set of practices
• Community living
• Forgiving
• Asking pardon
• Not holding possessions
• Sharing all tasks as possible
http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/mysisterlocks/Wo
man_Divine.jpg
• Serving one another and guests

21. The Abbot or Prioress
Photo © by Sister Edith Bogue
Do what she teaches
Observe differences of
good deeds/obedience
Show equal love
Use equal discipline
Be solicitous of all
Provide for others
Chaste, sober, merciful
Love the brothers
Strive to be loved
Discerning, moderate,
farsighted, considerate
Keep the Rule

22. The Abbot or Prioress
Don't do what she forbids
Don't observe statuses
Don't disregard vices
Don't worry about earthly
concerns
Don't preside over them
Mercy over judgment
Hate vices
Don't be feared
Not turbulent, anxious,
excessive, obstinate,
jealous, prone to suspicion
Don't excuse self
Photo © by Sister Edith Bogue

23. Imbalance is possible in two ways

24. “Keep on doing the things
you have learned and
received and heard and
seen in me, and the God
of peace will greatly
rejoice you.”
Philippians 4:9
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/
Menas.jpg/180px-Menas.jpg

25. HOW TO EVALUATE
YOUR CHOOSING
L'offerta dell'abate Desiderio a S.Benedetto. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana.

26. Good and Bad Zeal
Photo © by Sister Edith Bogue
• “Just as there is an evil zeal of bitterness which
separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a good
zeal which separates from vices and leads to God and to
life everlasting.”
• How do I know which is leading me?
• DISCERNMENT is a key virtue for Benedictines.
•
•
•
•
Watching carefully and mindfully to see God’s action & call in my life
Striving to be aware of what I am doing and thinking.
Being ready to hear from others what has gone well and ill.
Trying to do better tomorrow than what I did today.
Photo by Sister Edith Bogue https://secure.flickr.com/photos/edithosb/

27. Chapter 72:
Measuring up
Photo © by Sister Edith Bogue
• “Just as there is an evil zeal of bitterness which
separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a good
zeal which separates from vices and leads to God and to
life everlasting.”
• How do I know which is leading me?
• DISCERNMENT is a key virtue for Benedictines.
•
•
•
•
Watching carefully and mindfully to see God’s action & call in my life
Striving to be aware of what I am doing and thinking.
Being ready to hear from others what has gone well and ill.
Trying to do better tomorrow than what I did today.
Photo by Sister Edith Bogue https://secure.flickr.com/photos/edithosb/

28. Chapter 72:
Measuring up
Photo © by Sister Edith Bogue
• “Thus they should anticipate one another in honor.”
• “They most patiently endure one another's infirmities,
whether of body or of character”
• “They vie in showing obedience one to another.”
• “No one following what she considers useful for herself,
but rather what benefits another.”
Photo by Sister Edith Bogue https://secure.flickr.com/photos/edithosb/

29. “After ascending all these steps
of humility, the monk will
quickly arrive at that perfect
love of God which casts out
fear (I John 4:18).”
“Through this love, all that he
once performed with dread,
he will now begin to observe
without effort, as though
naturally, from habit, no longer out of fear of hell, but out
of love for Christ, good habit and delight in virtue.”
“All
this the Lord will by the Holy Spirit graciously manifest
in his workman now cleansed of vice and sins.”
RB 7.67-70

30. BREAK TO GET COFFEE
THEN DISCUSSION
L'offerta dell'abate Desiderio a S.Benedetto. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana.

31. CHOOSING FOR GOOD
AND NOT FOR ILL
BENEDICTINE OBLATES
ST. SCHOLASTICA MONASTERY
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
9 MARCH 2014
L'offerta dell'abate Desiderio a S.Benedetto. Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana.