A series of articles of
various aspects of life:
CONTRADICTIONS of Modern Life
LIFE and BLOOD
MONASTIC LIFE
MONASTICISM VS. SCHOLASTICISM (Febr.97)
PATHS OF LIFE (Aug.97)
Version francaise
BR. PIERRE PRATTE, osb
Born in Trois-Rivières, Québec in 1940.
Joined St-Benoit-du-Lac
in 1961.
Moved to Mount Saviour in 1966.
Became herdsman and guest master.
Presently shepherd and bookkeeper.
In touch with the world through books, photography
, short-wave radio and the Web.
News 2010:
On
June 10th, I was asked to give a presentation (demonstration) on Gregorian
Chant at a parish in Rochester NY. I identified myself with a true
story : A 10 year-old boy came to me after mass to tell me that I sing
O.K. but I speak funny. Coming from Trois-Rivières, Québec,
a town of 98% French speaking population, we did not hear much English
to practice. I joined a boys choir at 9 years old and entered St-Benoit-du-Lac
in 1961, a Benedictine monastery of the Solesmes congregation with expertise
in Gregorian Chant. I moved to Mount Saviour in 1966.
When we speak of Gregorian Chant, it is in the context of prayer.
My definition of prauer is "communication with God". It is manifested
in gestures, words and music. The chant was used to enhance the sacred
text. In the book: The Arts and Man, Yehudi Menuhin writes:
"Only the musical sound can communicate the intangible". The "Alleluias"
convey that in the 'jubilus'. He adds: "Sound waves can penetrate
the uncouscious". I wonder if this is what causes deep emotions whenver
I hear the "Veni Creator Spiritus"? Elsewhere, he says: Man's
ultimate leap, when approaching his God, is through music". I remember
singing: "In manus tuas Domine" (Into your hands, O Lord...),at the end
of every rehearsal of the Petits Chanteurs when we gave ouselves to God's
Providence.
Gregorian Chant is derived from Greek culture. Gregory the Great
who lived in the 6th century was only a selector who filtered what was
appropriate for chuch services. It was transmitted by oral tradition.
Then , it was written using one line and later 4 lines. During the
Renaissance, the 5 line staff became the norm in music. We are used
to three kinds of rithms: 2 beats for a march, 3 beats for a waltz and
4 beats in symphonies such as the 'Ode to Joy' by Beethoven. Gregorian
Chant uses free rythm. One contribution of Gregorian Chant is the
names of the notes based on the hymn for vespers of the feast of St. John
the Baptist. The 8 modes of Gregorian Chant are ways to present various
moods of a piece. The Gregorian repertoire helps to identify the
time of the year: Advent, Christmas. Lent or Easter. I presented
some of the classic melodies: "Exsusrge", "Ubi Caritas", "Gaudeamus" and
"Kyrie(s)" from the 18 masses in the Graduale Romanum.
I had brought the harp and I played excerpts from Compline, which is
the most popular office at the monasstery. I answered a few
questions on our life. It was a pleasant afternoon with an
attentive crowd to reminisce the tradition of the Church and one means
that nourished our faith.
An article was published in the Catholic
Courier
Video
MONASTIC LIFE
The following article was written for a Christmas Chronicle entitled
THE GIFTS OF A MONASTERY. Br. Pierre
In the study of Church history and spirituality, we find many references
to the monastic influence. We tend to raise many questions to satisfy
our curiosity as to the causes or charisms of the monks of the past.
A culture is never established by direct means. It is shaped by many
factors.
As we try to point out the relevance of monastic life today, we discover
many by-products that are the most striking elements to outsiders.
The medieval monks did not join monasteries to build, to compose music,
or to transcribe manuscripts. They followed an inner call to 'seek
God'. As we commit ourselves to truly seeking God in the twentieth
century, we have been able to notice as well some of the by-products that
are important to us and meaningful to the guests who come to share our
life.
1-This 'school of the Lord's service' is an institution for the search
of meaning. The identity of a monk is a matter of 'becoming', a
growth in the quality of life and in faith. Therefore, his formation
is always in progress, with 'the Gospel
as a guide, to go forward on His paths'.
2-This community shows the capacity of men from various countries and
backgrounds to live together in spite of many differences that are part
of nature. The mutual support can be felt at various levels and at
different degrees in this classless society. The Rule
of St.Benedict has some references to the idea of edification (aedificare
is the Latin word for 'to build up'). The monk has to face his responsibility
without denying his Christian freedom.
3-We find an anthropology that gives room for the body as it stands
close to nature and to related sciences in manual work; for the soul yearning
for knowledge through 'lectio divina' and studies; for spirit as a means
of communication in prayer.
4-A sense of poetry is cultivated by the use of rituals and symbols.
As we try to read between the lines of the sacred texts and hear the harmony
of simple tones, the mystery becomes more accessible. The religious
profession is the sacrament of the eschaton (the last thing), of the parousia
(the final coming).
5-The Liturgy of the Hours marks the rhythm of the day and of the seasons
like the down beats of a musical line. The regular order is infinitely
varied since it includes motion and rest. work and leisure.
How does this relate to the Gospel? It helps one to practice
the commandments: 'You shall love your God with all your heart...and your
neighbor as yourself'. There are three objects of love in that quotation:
God, the neighbor, and the self. By a commitment to seek him, by
our praise, and by faith in his mystery, we seek the glory of God.
By sharing the material goods as well as the burden and responsibilities
in the community, the monk exercises a social role. With an awareness
an appreciation of his own talents and limitations (self-knowledge), the
monk is able to relate to others and to God. He remains human and
is in need of God's grace 'to bear most patiently one another's infirmities'
(St.Benedict).
'Having therefore our loins girt about with faith and the observance
of good works, let us, with the Gospel as our guide, go forward on His
paths, that we may deserve to see in His kingdom Him who has called us'.
Prologue of the Rule
CONTRADICTIONS of Modern Life
The following text was presented by Br. Pierre on his feastday, June
29th, 1984. In our search for God, we try to find out what is beyond this
life, what is behind the words of scriptures or how Christ or the apostles
would address themselves today. Here is what may come out on the "screen"
of our imagination or inspiration.
From Peter, apostle of Jesus Christ to God's chosen people who live
as pilgrims scattered throughout the United States. May peace and grace
be yours in full measure.
In my previous letters, I tried to encourage Christians to grow in
faith, hope, and charity and patience. Here I try to do the same for your
well-being. Your buildings and paper money indicate that you are a religious
nation. We read: "In God, we trust". At the same time, you seem to follow
the pagan motto: "Si vis pacem, para bellum" (If you want peace, prepare
for war.)
Do not use mortal means to protect your vital interests. Make sure
that your efforts towards national security do not produce international
insecurity. Your technical achievement are well known all over. People
can move faster and better. They sit in their car, stand in elevators and
to compensate for their health, they jog and sweat after work. Live in
harmony of soul, spirit, and body for the glory of God.
You are concerned for the environment and legislate to alleviate all
forms of pollution. Little is done to foster purity of heart. "Blessed
are the pure of heart for they shall see God." We hear of some incidents
of cover-ups. Should we blame the cosmetic industries for the sale of make-ups
or the dissatisfaction of the people for the work of God. Will you make
stories to distort the truth?
You can unite by the thousands to oppose or impose your rights. Will
you share your spiritual energies to uplift the needy? Some of you are
sensitive to cruelty to animals while others are indifferent to the mutilation
and destruction of the unborn. Your silos used to be full of grain for
poor and rich nations. Now silos are readied with missiles to destroy the
same nations.
For so long, you have been told that "bigger is better". Can you correct
the problems of large cities? Can you explain why 80% of the population
live on 20% of the land? You have discovered the invisible phenomenon of
airwaves and electricity. Unfortunately, too many people refuse to believe
in the power of prayer and grace.
We see a lot of courage among those who are training for competitions.
Similar efforts are required for the soul to be fit in our daily life.
Some people receive large sums of money to run after a ball while others
may not be rewarded for sitting to comfort wounded soul; "they shall receive
mercy".
In spite of all the criticism that politicians receive, we rejoice
that the Department of War became the Department of Defense. We look for
the day when you gain enough confidence and inspire enough trust to make
it the Department of Peace. Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge
of the Lord and Saviour who is our Peace. Amen
LIFE and BLOOD
In the Middle East, blood is related to death; to loose one's blood evokes
horror and fear. Blood is the vital substance. In the Bible the humans
are defined as flesh and blood. The Jews have always condemned the meat
of animals that were not bled. They believe that blood is life and it belongs
to God. When we remember that Christ lost his blood on the cross, we can
see the symbol that allows us to eat the flesh immolated and pierced by
the spear.
In the first centuries, various theories appeared concerning the role
of the blood in biology. Some people believed that the sperm was a coagulant
and that the blood of the menstrual periods was transformed into an embryo.
With this theory, it was easy to believe in the virgin birth. God who can
do anything, could easily make the blood of the Virgin Mary coagulate.
An other belief that lasted until the invention of the microscope is the
understanding that the blood is pumped with more velocity during the loving
embrace and is transformed into the seed of life (semen). The uterus was
but the fertile soil where the seed developed. Such an analogy, when used
to the extreme, has influenced our moral theology. The Fathers of the Church
talked about the punishment of Onan for wasting the seed. (Today's exegetes
prefer to blame him for refusing to raise a family for his brother as the
law demanded.
The development of the embryo depends upon an exchange of blood trough
the placenta. A network of connectors allows the fetus to receive its nourishment.
The Fathers of the Church were full of admiration for the blood that was
filtered through the breasts to give the white milk that could feed the
children. They say that God did not want to scare the babies by giving
them a red liquid that inspired death when somebody lost his blood.
The Red Cross keeps promoting the need of blood for transfusions. We
are in awe when counting the elements that form this red liquid. I remember
my father who became restless during his hospitalization. His nervous state
suddenly improved by changing the formula of the transfusion. Like Pascal
who was in awe while thinking of the infinitely huge and small in the universe,
we can admire what is inside a drop of blood. Our health depends on those
drops that circulate to the lungs and the members of the body. The heart
fulfills its task without ceasing. It witnesses all our emotions. It is
an indicator of our emotions when it pumps at different rate. The skin
cannot help but show the blood pressure in some instances: anger, weakness,
etc.
In the Old Testament, the blood of the lamb on the door post was a
symbol of the covenant (Exodus). The immolation of Christ is the symbol
of the New Covenant. The cult to the Precious-Blood is to show more convincingly
the humanity of Christ. The blood that was a sign of horror outside the
body became an element of thanksgiving during the Eucharist. Symbols and
signs point out for us the direction to follow as we await the final revelation.
Christus Rex For Art and Catholic
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Revised 3/3/05