2/25/2010
New abbot seen as spiritual master
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| New abbot seen as spiritual master |
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Ed Langlois
ST. BENEDICT — Humble and steady, the new leader of Mount Angel Abbey is a monk's monk who at the same time yearns for those outside the cloister to feel a deep and life-changing welcome.
"I want the abbey to be a spiritual powerhouse in the archdiocese, a place where people can find renewed relationship with God in their lives," says Abbot Gregory Duerr, 72.
In large, dignified letters, the home page of the abbey Web site says this: "We Welcome You As Christ!"
"Here's our challenge as monks: We need to withdraw, but we need to be careful that we don't leave our guests standing there," Abbot Gregory says. "There has to be some linkage while we respect boundaries."
Some people call the abbey, which is situated on a rise overlooking the Willamette Valley, "the hill." Abbot Gregory prefers "the holy mountain." That hearkens to Mount Sinai, Mount Carmel and Mount Tabor, holy land peaks he has visited.
"Mountains are places where God speaks and reveals himself," he says. "It's a place of encounter with God."
That's what this abbot wants the monastery to be — both for the monks and those who visit. At Mount Angel, God's voice comes through in quiet prayer, liturgy and community.
"I want us as a monastery to be true to who we are," the new abbot says. "I want us to be professional God-seekers and not succumb too much to the spirit of the world."
A member of the Benedictine community here for 53 years, Abbot Gregory is seen as master practitioner of lectio divina, a monastic form of prayer using scripture. The supplicant reads a text and moves through meditation on the scene to a contemplation that seeks union with the divine will.
The abbot begins his prayer with the words of Eli the priest in the first book of Samuel: "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening." He sits either in an upstairs room overlooking farmland or in his choir stall in the darkened abbey "The word of God has its own power to transform, to heal," he says, making his point with a graceful chop of the hand. "You sort of let it happen."
He recalls St. Benedict's advice: prefer nothing to the work of God. That refers to the divine office, the psalm-based prayer that brings the monks together five times per day. Benedictines live a liturgical spirituality, he explains, focusing on different aspects of the great mystery of Christ depending on the time of year.
"And then prayer sends one out in loving service," Abbot Gregory explains, countering the misperception that monks focus only on the interior. Such a life would be unhealthy and certainly not Christ-centered, he says. Monastic service may take the form of caring for another monk, spiritual direction for laity, teaching in a seminary, preaching at a parish or simply living in an open and generous way.
Some people think of monastic life as a waste, Abbot Gregory concedes. But by just living their lives, monks and religious have a sanctifying effect on the world, he believes.
On the desk in his small, simple office sits a copy of the 1,500-year-old Rule of St. Benedict, the foundational document of western monastic life.
An abbot's days are full of meetings and details. It's tiring. But this abbot plans to stay healthy, recalling St. Benedict's advice — Don't care overly much for things that are fleeting because the abbot's task is the care of souls.
"My work is to be the spiritual father of this community," Abbot Gregory says. "And I should do it by example more than by words."
He remembers that St. Benedict advises that abbots strive to be loved rather than feared.
That's good, because it fits his nature.
"I believe love is the greatest power in the world," he says. "There is something about love that transforms the heart that fear can't. My basic commentary about that is that it works. You don't have to carry a big stick."
Abbots must rely on a team of collaborators. Finances, the retreat house and seminary administration are largely handled by other monks and priests, for example.
The major building phase at the abbey is done for the time being, Abbot Gregory says.
But a remodel of the abbey church is a possibility, with the altar being brought closer to the people so they can better participate.
Since Abbot Gregory entered the abbey at age 20, 75 monks have died here. That's about half of all who have been buried in the hilltop cemetery since the monastery was founded in the 1880s. He's proud to be in their band.
"Those are men upon whose lives and works we continue to build," he says. "They are my brothers."
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