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The yearly retreat is a
time when each monk reflects on his own commitment
to Christ whom he seeks in living the monastic life
to the full. This year Abbot Christopher Jamison focussed
his conferences on how the wisdom of John Cassian and
the desert monastic tradition can help the individual
monk grow in self-knowledge and purity of heart.
Cassian’s
ancient wisdom identifies eight 'thoughts' or 'demons'
that lead a monk away from Christ. Abbot Christopher
noted that anyone who embarks upon the spiritual life
will have to deal with the thoughts of gluttony, avarice,
lust, acedia, anger, greed, vanity and pride and that
the Sacraments of the Church are the ways in which
God’s grace acts powerfully to help us do battle with
these thoughts. Using modern insights into psychology,
Abbot Christopher reminded us of the importance of
sharing our thoughts with a wise counsellor, and the
importance of perseverance.
We concluded the retreat
by renewing our vows in choir and singing the Suscipe…,
reminding us all of God’s fidelity to us and the real
happiness discovered in the gift Christ makes of himself
to those who are generous in living for him.
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