How to Be a Monastic And Not Leave Your Day Job: An Invitation to Oblate Life (Voice from the Monastery) by Brother Benet Tvedten Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of How to Be a Monastic And Not Leave Your Day Job: An Invitation to Oblate Life (Voice from the Monastery)
Book Review: Good introduction, but could use some improvements
Summary: 3 Stars
It's a good introduction to Benedictine spirituality, oblate life and the relationship oblates have to their monastery. But it is a little slow reading. And if one is already an oblate or oblate novice, there isn't much here that will be new. The audience really is for someone who has no affiliation yet. One of the things I dislike the most is that he speaks about how things are done at the authors monastery, while making it sound like every monastery does it that way.
For example, at his monastery, "an oblate's affiliation with a Benedictine community begins when he or she received a medal of St. Benedict.... The person being invested is then presented with a copy of the rule. A year after the investiture ceremony takes pace, oblation is made." He makes it sound like all monasteries do it like this. But in the monastery I am affiliated with, the oblate novices don't have a formal investiture ceremony, and one receives their medal only after final oblation is made, which is 2 years after the novice period. I know of other monasteries that have yet other practices. There are, of course, other examples like this throughout the book.
Book Review: great info
Summary: 4 Stars
Very good starter overview for someone who is not very familiar with St Benedict and how his rule applies for anyone who wants to live a devout life.Book Review: BRILLIANT
Summary: 5 Stars
IF I COULD GIVE THIS BOOK 10 STARS I WOULD. FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BENEDICTINE OBLATE, THIS BOOK IS A MUST-HAVE. BROTHER BENET WRITES WITH SUCH WARMTH AND A 'FIRESIDE-COSYNESS'---ONE DOES NOT WANT TO PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. I AM READING IT NOW FOR THE 2ND TIME AND HAVE ORDERED BENET'S OTHER BOOK 'A VIEW FROM THE MONASTERY'.
GET THIS BOOK. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.
Book Review: Lovely little book
Summary: 5 Stars
This books can help you a long way in finding peace. The idea that all of us can incorporate monastic elements into our lives is great. It brings about an aspect of Christianity that has been forgotten; at the end we all have a mission between us and our God, no one else.Book Review: A Call to the Vocation of Secular Monastic
Summary: 4 Stars
It seems like the fad of the day is for aspiring Christian authors to visit monasteries and write about their experiences. It is almost as if the very surroundings of a cloister will rub off and increase one's spiritual depth. But something about the call of the monastery is more than just a fad. An increasing number of people are adopting monastic spirituality for themselves. According to Br. Tvedten there are currently an estimated 24,155 Oblates of St. Benedict in the world. I am among their number. This almost equals the 25,255 vowed Benedictine men and women. The invitation to Oblate life is being answered by many people today. This book was written for them.
This easy to read book offers an excellent introduction to the vocation of the Oblate. The book is straight forward, respectful and unpretentious. Oblates who read this book will come away with a warm inspirational glow that their calling is appreciated. Those who are interested in lay monasticism will learn enough from this volume to understand what the movement is all about.
Several have commented that this little book (111 pages) is aimed more at those interested in formal ties with a monastic community than those who wish to practice Benedictine spirituality on their own. There is a reason for this, private Benedictine monastic spirituality is an oxymoron. To be Benedictine is to be part of community. This is even true of Benedictine hermits. One may be a contemplative or a mystic alone. One might pattern a personal devotional life after Benedict's Rule. One might even create a private prayer chapel. But these are not the same thing. I played around the edge of monasteries for years before I realized I had to take the plunge or forever be on the outside peeking through the windows.
Is this book for you? The answer is plain. If the title is catchy enough that you are reading this review then you should also read the book. You have already passed the "interest test".