My Catholic Family - 2015-11-08 - Saint Benedict

Summary

This script narrates a family's spiritual retreat at a Benedictine monastery, focusing on the children's experiences. It explores St. Benedict's life, his pursuit of closeness to God, and the miracles attributed to him. The children, Alex and Sara, learn about prayer, silence, fasting, and the Benedictine motto 'ora et labora'. They also discover the importance of listening to God's voice within, turning work into prayer, and the significance of St. Benedict's teachings in their daily lives.

Takeaways

• 🙏 A spiritual retreat is focused on prayer and connecting with God.
• 📖 God communicates with us through Holy Scripture, the Most Holy Sacrament, and our conscience.
• 🕊️ St. Benedict sought a close relationship with God, which led him to establish a monastic life.
• 🏺 A miracle occurred when St. Benedict prayed over broken pottery, demonstrating his spiritual power.
• 🏞️ St. Benedict retreated to a cave in Subiaco for solitude and intense prayer.
• 🤔 St. Benedict's fame grew as people sought his guidance and miracles.
• 📚 St. Benedict valued education and the preservation of knowledge, as seen in the monastery library.
• 🔄 'Ora et Labora' is St. Benedict's motto, emphasizing the balance of prayer and work.
• 🥖 The Benedictine community bakes their own bread, showing the integration of work and prayer.
• 🤕 Alex's injury during a misadventure led to a deeper understanding of St. Benedict's teachings.
• 🏰 St. Benedict's influence extended beyond his lifetime, shaping the lives of monks and nuns.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme of the video script is the exploration of St. Benedict's life, the monastic life, and the Benedictine spirituality, particularly focusing on the principles of 'ora et labora' or 'pray and work'.

What is the significance of the Benedictine Monastery in the script?

The Benedictine Monastery is significant as it is the setting where the children learn about St. Benedict's life and teachings, and it represents the spiritual retreat where they are meant to focus on prayer and spiritual growth.

What does 'ora et labora' mean and why is it important in the context of the script?

'Ora et labora' is a Latin phrase meaning 'pray and work'. It is important in the script as it represents St. Benedict's spiritual message, emphasizing the balance between prayer and work, and turning daily tasks into prayerful offerings to God.

Why did St. Benedict leave his studies in Rome and move to Efinde?

St. Benedict left his studies in Rome and moved to Efinde to seek a closer relationship with God, to hear His voice, and to do His will, which he believed was the path to true happiness.

What miracle is associated with St. Benedict and the broken pot?

The miracle associated with St. Benedict and the broken pot is that after he prayed and blessed the pieces, they fitted themselves together, mending the pot as if it had never been broken.

Why did Alex and Sergio decide to climb the monastery tower?

Alex and Sergio decided to climb the monastery tower because they believed that being in an isolated and high place, similar to how St. Benedict went to the mountains, would help them hear God's voice.

What misconception did Alex have about fasting and how was it corrected?

Alex had the misconception that he needed to give up eating completely to hear God, similar to St. Benedict's fasting in the mountains. This was corrected by Br. Albert, who explained that eating and giving thanks to God for the food can also be turned into prayer.

What is the role of Br. Albert in the script?

Br. Albert is a monk and a doctor who helps Alex and Sergio by providing guidance and correcting their misunderstandings about monastic life and spirituality. He also shows them around the monastery and shares insights about St. Benedict's teachings.

How did St. Benedict's sister, St. Scholastica, contribute to the Benedictine spirituality?

St. Scholastica, St. Benedict's sister, contributed to the Benedictine spirituality by founding convents for nuns, following the same spiritual principles as her brother, thus extending the Benedictine way of life to women.

What lesson did Alex learn from his experience with the holy card of St. Benedict?

Alex learned to offer his daily activities, such as studying, to God as a form of prayer, embodying St. Benedict's motto 'ora et labora'. He placed a holy card of St. Benedict on his study desk as a reminder of this practice.

How did St. Benedict's death and the light associated with it impact the monks?

St. Benedict's death and the light that appeared at the moment of his passing, believed to be his soul ascending to heaven, served as a powerful testament to the sanctity of his life and the effectiveness of his spiritual practices, leaving a lasting impression on the monks.