Christ the Ideal of the Monk (Unabridged): Spiritual Conferences on the Monastic and Religious Life

by Columba Marmion, Xavier Perrin (Foreword)

"Every vocation, even the simple Christian vocation, comes from God. Our Lord Himself says 'No man can come to Me, except the Father draw him.' But it is God's love for us-and as we are born miserable, it is His merciful love-which is the origin of this call." A work which goes to the heart of the Rule of St Benedict, this classic of the Irish Benedictine Blessed Columba Marmion has fed generations of God-seeking souls. Capable of touching the heart of anyone drawn to the monastic virtues, it is a book which grounds every aspect of the religious life in the person of Christ. "All the Divine mercies towards us have for their first principle this invitation to share, by adoption, in the Sonship of Christ Jesus," writes Abbot Marmion. "The monastic vocation itself only aims at perfecting this adoption, at making it more extensive, by a deeper participation in Christ's grace, by a more finished imitation of the Divine Model." Drawing on centuries of tradition and monastic literature as well as decades of personal experience as a monk and father of souls, Abbot Marmion presents monastic observance in a way which is both accessible and profound. In the foreword to this new edition, Abbot Xavier Perrin says of this "Full of wisdom and simplicity, it provides an almost complete commentary on the Rule. One feels in it the power of the Gospel and the real grandeur of monasticism. It is able to give to monks and nuns, oblates and friends of monasteries, as well as to many Christians, a renewed trust in Christ and in St Benedict's sure guidance." This centenary edition features entirely re-typeset, corrected references, new translations of all of Marmion's Latin quotations, and a new foreword by Abbot Xavier Perrin.

Genres: Spirituality, Theology

514 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1926

About the author

Reverend Father Blessed Dom Columba Marmion, OSB, born Joseph Aloysius Marmion a Roman Catholic Benedictine Irish monk and the third Abbot of Maredsous Abbey in Belgium. Beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 3, 2000, Columba was one of the most popular and influential Catholic authors of the 20th Century. His books are considered spiritual classics.

Reviews

[Thomas Dooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great foundation for anyone interested in the heart of Western Monasticism. Abbot Marmion takes you step by step through the principles of The Rule of Saint Benedict and displays the ideal life of monastics in their following of Christ. This would be a helpful text for those interested in becoming Benedictine Oblates, who wish to more perfectly live thier secular life with monastic principles and ideals.

[Ephrem Arcement · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful journey through Benedictine spirituality. This classic stands out mainly because of Blessed Marmion's grounding of Benedictine spirituality in its Christian roots--the life of Christ himself. Monasticism as nothing other than a form (however radical) of Christian discipleship is demonstrated throughout this well thought out book.