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NFP Week July 19-25, 2026
Natural Family Planning WeekJuly 19-25, 2026DESIGNED BY GODGUIDED BY LOVEOPEN TO LOVE Natural Family Planning ProgramMission:Helping married couples to deepen…
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2026 NFP Campaign: God in Charge - Open to Life
2026 NFP Campaign God in Charge - Open to Life WEEK 1: "Man cannot fully find himself except through a sincere…
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Stewards of God’s Gifts: Building the Kingdom of God in the Diocese of Belleville
As the Diocese of Belleville continues its mission of faith, stewardship, and evangelization, Bishop Godfrey Mullen, OSB, offers this reflection…
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Parish Picnics 2026
PARISH PICNICS 2026What a wonderful time to gather in fellowship and support local Catholic Parishes and Communities. All are welcome!…
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Flocknote: Stay Connected, Grow in Faith
Did you know the Diocese of Belleville uses Flocknote?Stay connected with the life of the Diocese of Belleville by signing…
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Holy Days of Obligation 2026
In the Catholic Church, Holy Days of Obligation are the days on which the faithful are obliged to participate in…
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A Benedictine In Us All
July 11 was the celebration in the Church of Saint Benedict of Norcia. St. Benedict lived from 480 to 540AD. Rejecting the corrupt culture of Rome at the beginning of the sixth century, he went off to live the solitary life in a cave “under the lake” (which gives the place its name: Subiaco – the lake is at the top of the mountain). In that quiet place, Benedict begins to envision a new way of living, rooted in the gospel and aimed at peace.
While his brief 73-chapter 1500-year-old Rule deals with many practical realities, like the distribution of psalms over the week’s gatherings of prayer, the fourth chapter is called the Tools of Good Works. There, monastic men and women are exhorted to a particular way of life with a rather comprehensive litany of behaviors, including: all the Christian commandments, moderation, not grumbling, keep death daily before your eyes, guard your tongue from evil, listen attentively to holy reading, do not desire to be called holy before you really are, hate no one, do not be jealous or act out of envy, never despair of God’s mercy. Any one of these commands can seem like a life’s work, but each one requires attention and dedication.
Realizing that most people in our diocese are not Benedictines, still, the wisdom of this honored Saint is worth our consideration. One tool of good work especially worth consideration – do not seek to be called holy before you really are – might help us all. The monk does not become holy simply by wearing the habit. Many have proved that doesn’t work. The habit is an outward sign of simplicity and communion with his brothers, a sacramental that reminds him of the life he is to lead. Sometimes, we like to adopt the “trappings” and “trimmings” of piety and devotion while still choosing the sins we find most attractive. The external appearance has to match the internal life – we should dress as the person we are.
In the early Church, notorious sinners were given the penance of wearing sackcloth and sitting on ash heaps to make amends. While St. Benedict is not recommending that, to decorate ourselves as saints when we are struggling sinners is a dangerous way to live, especially if it’s mixed in any way with arrogance or judgment. Benedict is calling us to the humble life of community. When we live in communion with the rest of the community, there is a good chance that we are embracing virtue. When I choose a path that sets me apart from the community, chances are good I may be on the path of pride.
When we are grateful for the good gifts God has given us – countless good gifts, then we become truly humble. We don’t deserve the abundant grace we receive. And yet God continues to pour out His goodness upon us daily. The gratitude of the Christian disciples helps us be one with each other. St. Benedict, pray for us.
