Digitalnun Podcasts
By Catherine Wybourne
Digitalnun PodcastsApr 24, 2020
Muddled Thinking and Muddled Morals
Preparing for Advent provides us with an opportunity to reassess what really matters to us and act accordingly.
House of Prayer or Robbers' Den? The Case for Spiritual Distancing
There is a sharp dichotomy in the gospel between the temple as a house of prayer and the temple as a robbers' den. As Christians, the Lord's new temple, we are called to pray unceasingly. That means practising detachment or, as I call it, spiritual distancing — from material things, yes, but above all, cultivating inner freedom.
The Loneliness of St Hilda of Whitby
We tend to see only what we think important in the people of history. As a nun, as well as a student of history, I'm struck by the less obvious side of Hilda's life, her loneliness especially.
Trivial reflections
Seeing a reconstruction of the head of a man who died more than four thousand years ago set me thinking how we see ourselves and how others see us. On a day when the media were busy consigning Peter Sutcliffe to hell, it was good to remember our common humanity — and leave judgement to God.
What is Expected of a Monastery in Time of Pandemic?
A monastery should be a place of encounter with God, whether online or off. So, how do we do that? Questions, not answers.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 73 (Not Every Principle of Holiness has been Laid Down in this Rule), as read in monasteries on 1 May, 31 August, 31 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 72 (The Good Zeal Monks Ought to Have), as read in monasteries on 30 April, 30 August, 30 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 71 (Being Obedient to One Another), as read in monasteries on 29 April, 29 August, 29 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 70 (Not to Presume to Strike Anyone at Random ), as read in monasteries on 28 April, 28 August, 28 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 69 (No-one in the Monastery Should Presume to Defend Another), as read in monasteries on 27 April, 27 August, 27 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 68 (If Commanded to Do the Impossible), as read in monasteries on 26 April, 26 August, 26 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 67 (Brethren Sent on a Journey), as read in monasteries on 25 April, 25 August, 25 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
A Retreat We Didn't Expect
The community's annual retreat sounds as though it should be blissful, doesn't it? The reality may surprise you. A true story from the cloister.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 66 (The Porters of the Monastery), as read in monasteries on 24 April, 24 August, 24 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 65 vv 11–22 (The Prior of the Monastery, Part 2), as read in monasteries on 23 April, 23 August, 23 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 65 vv 1– 10 (The Prior of the Monastery, Part 1), as read in monasteries on 22 April, 22 August, 22 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 64 vv 7– 22 (The Appointment of the Abbot, Part 2), as read in monasteries on 21 April, 21 August, 21 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 64 vv 1– 6 (The Appointment of the Abbot, Part 1), as read in monasteries on 20 April, 20 August, 20 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 63 vv 10– 19 (Community Order, Part 2), as read in monasteries on 19 April, 19 August, 19 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 63 vv 1– 9 (Community Order, Part 1), as read in monasteries on 18 April, 18 August, 18 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 62 (The Priests of the Monastery), as read in monasteries on 17 April, 17 August, 17 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 61 vv 6–14 (Visiting Monks, Part 2), as read in monasteries on 16 April, 16 August, 16 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 61 vv 1–5 (Visiting Monks, Part 1), as read in monasteries on 15 April, 15 August, 15 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne. Today the text is read by a Scottish member of the community.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 60 (Priests who May Wish to Live in the Monastery), as read in monasteries on 14 April, 14 August, 14 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 59 (The Offering of the Children of the Rich and Poor), as read in monasteries on 13 April, 13 August, 13 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 58 vv 17–29 (The Procedure for Admitting Brethren, Part 2), as read in monasteries on 12 April, 12 August, 12 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 58 vv 1–16 (The Procedure for Admitting Brethren, Part 1), as read in monasteries on 11 April, 11 August, 11 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 57 (The Craftworkers of the Monastery), as read in monasteries on 10 April, 10 August, 10 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 56 (The Abbot's Table), as read in monasteries on 9 April, 9 August, 9 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 55 vv 15-22 (The Clothing and Footwear of the Brethren Part 2), as read in monasteries on 8 April, 8 August, 8 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 55 vv 1-14 (The Clothing and Footwear of the Brethren, Part 1), as read in monasteries on 7 April, 7 August, 7 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne
Transfiguration 2020
The feast of the Transfiguration was given to the Universal Church by the Cluniacs but it has become associated with some of the blackest deeds in human history — and some of the potentially brightest.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 54 (Whether a Monk should receive Letters or anything else), as read in monasteries on 6 April, 6 August, 6 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 53 vv 16-24 (The Reception of Guests Part 2), as read in monasteries on 5 April, 5 August, 5 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 53 vv 1-15 (The Reception of Guests: Part 1), as read in monasteries on 4 April, 4 August, 4 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 52 (The Oratory of the Monastery), as read in monasteries on 3 April, 3 August, 3 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 51 (Those who do not go Far Distant), as read in monasteries on 2 April, 2 August, 2 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 50 (Working at a Distance from the Oratory or on a Journey), as read in monasteries on 1 April, 1 August, 1 December
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 49 (The Observance of Lent), as read in monasteries on 31 March, 31 July and 30 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 48, vv 22-25 (Daily Manual Labour—Part 3), as read in monasteries on 30 March, 30 July and 29 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 48, vv 10-21 (Daily Manual Labour—Part 2), as read in monasteries on 29 March, 29 July and 28 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 48, vv 1-9 (Daily Manual Labour—Part 1), as read in monasteries on 28 March, 28 July and 27 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 47 (Indicating the Hour for the Work of God), as read in monasteries on 27 March, 27 July and 26 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 46 (Other Faults), as read in monasteries on 26 March, 26 July and 25 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 45 (Mistakes in the Oratory), as read in monasteries on 25 March, 25 July and 24 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 44 (How the Excommunicated are to Make Satisfaction), as read in monasteries on 24 March, 24 July and 23 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 43 part 2 (Lateness at the Work of God or at Table), as read in monasteries on 23 March, 23 July and 22 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 43 part 1 (Lateness at the Work of God or at Table), as read in monasteries on 22 March, 22 July and 21 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 42 (No Speaking after Compline), as read in monasteries on 21 March, 21 July and 20 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.
Rule of St Benedict, chapter 41 (The Times of Meals), as read in monasteries on 20 March, 20 July and 19 November
In the monastery, the Rule of St Benedict is read aloud three times in the course of the year. You can listen to the reading for the day in English here. The translation used is from Work and Prayer by Columba Cary-Elwes and Catherine Wybourne.