Layout of blog reorganized & Prayer & Lent

The blog was reorganized today.  The buttons that were at the top of the page are now along the right side.

More pages are going to be used in the blog and there just wasn't enough space at the top. The text describing the blog was shortened, also to clean up the top.

A new email system will be used to send information to everyone on the Saint Leo Abbey Oblate email list and the ability to use additional blog pages will be essential for the new system to work effectively.  The new email system is easier to use and the emails will have a more consistent appearance.

As I revised the blog's layout, I reread Abbot Isaac's piece On Prayer.  It is also linked on the right side.  Well worth an additional read now as we move into Lent 2013. 


His piece on prayer never mentions Lent, but the Abbot's wise words applied very well to Lent. 

Each year for Benedictines Lent is not only what we give up, but also the extra effort to draw closer to God --- as in prayer.  It is what we add to our service to God.

From the Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 49, On Keeping Lent:

"CHAPTER XLIX "On the Keeping of Lent

"The life of a monk ought always to be a Lenten observance. However, since such virtue is that of few, we advise that during these days of Lent he guard his life with all purity and at the same time wash away during these holy days all the shortcomings of other times. This will then be worthily done, if we restrain ourselves from all vices. Let us devote ourselves to tearful prayers, to reading and compunction of heart, and to abstinence.

During these days, therefore, let us add something to the usual amount of our service, special prayers, abstinence from food and drink, that each one offer to God "with the joy of the Holy Ghost" (1 Thes 1:6), of his own accord, something above his prescribed measure; namely, let him withdraw from his body somewhat of food, drink, sleep, speech, merriment, and with the gladness of spiritual desire await holy Easter.

Let each one, however, make known to his Abbot what he offereth and let it be done with his approval and blessing; because what is done without permission of the spiritual father will be imputed to presumption and vain glory, and not to merit. Therefore, let all be done with the approval of the Abbot."

Above quote from the Melk Abbey online version of the Rule.