|
HOW DO I BECOME AN URBAN MONK?
A man or woman becomes an Urban Monk by committing to the following activities:
Creating a Rule of Life results in a living document that is based upon the precepts of the Society of Urban Monks. These precepts encourage individuals to commit to basic scriptural values associated with Rules of Life such as community, humility, obedience, stewardship and to use spiritual practices to integrate their daily experiences to help shape their own spiritual growth and the spiritual growth of others. The Rule of Life is intended to be a tool for growth that challenges the individual to live out his or her life in a meaningful way and not a time-consuming burdensome set of rules.
- Celebrating the Liturgical Year
Celebrating the Liturgical Year allows for reflective discovery of the deeper meanings on the Christian faith by focusing on the mysteries of Christ’s life. Such discovery is collectively practiced by participating in vigils on the eve of liturgical seasons such as Advent, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost.
- Commemorating an Annual Retreat and Sacred Dinner
Commemorating an annual retreat and dinner provides Urban Monks with an opportunity to share a spiritual practice(s) that they developed and nurtured throughout the year and that has helped them live out their lives of integration. They are encouraged (not required) to provide a written copy of their spiritual practice to give to others as an additional treasure of spiritual wisdom and practice. In addition, a sacred dinner is shared that incorporates the food and drinks into symbolic gestures of spiritual growth.
|
|
|
| The Society of Urban Monks provides activities and/or workshops for others to consider becoming an Urban Monk as follows:
Creating a Rule of Life Workshop - this workshop helps participants create a Rule of Life that applies to contemporary life by providing an opportunity to integrate a person’s existing spiritual practices and activities/rhythms with “time-tested” practices that have formed ancient and contemporary Rules of Life.
Monastic Masses - is a collective integrative experience, in the tradition of the Society of Urban Monks, that includes practicing integrative tools such as the Examination of Conscience in the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Lectio Divina in the tradition of St. Benedict, monastic chanting and readings of psalms, the meditative singing of Taize hymns, and other spiritual practices that culminate with the celebration of the Eucharist.
For more information about the Society of Urban Monks and how to become an Urban Monk please contact:
Joe Colletti, PhD
at 626.794.3400 or at joecolletti@urban-monk.org
or
Sofia Herrera, PhD
at 626.304.3753 or at sofiaherrera@urban-monk.org
|
|
