Perhaps no other religious order has had greater influence on the foundation
of western civilisation than that of the Order of Saint Benedict. Their monasteries,
abbeys, cathedrals,schools and universities rose brick by brick across Europe
and then the world. The monks and nuns embracing lives both agricultural and
academic, underscored by prayer and work (ora et labora), the Divine Office
and the monastic rule established a pattern that instructed a whole way of life.
Their presence and influence in England was enormous, not only in the institutions
they founded but even after the Reformation in Cranmer's 'Book of Common Prayer'.
All their foundations in England were suppressed and smashed by Henry VIII
who sold the properties to his friends to gain wealth. Since then, there has been
a revival in both England and France and a restoration of monasteries and abbeys
that are flourishing today. Their codifying of Gregorian Chant, the official 'music'
of the Church, holds tremendous, even popular appeal through the availability of
their CDs and Videos. More importantly, their life of liturgical and contemplative
prayer remains constant and serves as beacon of light, strength and hope.
Their communities can be found all over the world and, as in the beginning,
are houses that welcome the pilgrim, the stranger, the faithful, all guests.
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