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| Carthusian Soupbowl |
In 1981 Frank Monaco made extended visits to six European monasteries, one Carthusian, three Cistercian, one Franciscan and one Benedictine. He subsequently created a beautiful black and white photo-essay book titled: They Dwell in Monasteries, sharing dozens of pictures of monks in their everyday lives of solitude, silence, prayer, work and community. Before departing from the Carthusian Charterhouse in Calabria, Italy, he had a conversation with the prior, asking why there were signs all over the monastery reading, "O Bonitas," which translates, "O the Goodness."
The prior told him that the signs call the monk back to the contemplative awareness of God's Goodness. The Latin word Bonitas can be translated a number of ways: may they help us share in the monk's prayer.
O the Goodness of God who had the thought of me.
O the Goodness of those who create peace.
O the Goodness of those who care for our planet.
O the Goodness of our earth which mothers and sustains us.
O the Excellence of God who draws us to Himself.
O the Excellence of Christ's Gospel Word.
O the Excellence of angels; unseen guardians.
O the Excellence of those who are patient and helpful.
O the Kindness of God who has made us for compassion.
O the Kindness of God born at Bethlehem.
O the Kindness of God with an eye on the sparrow.
O the Kindness of God who imagined the plants and animals.
O the Benevolence of Christ, whispered comfort to the widow of Nain.
O the Benevolence of those who care for children.
O the Benevolence of saints who spark generosity in human hearts.
O the Benevolence of the earth in its water-gift.
O the Friendliness of Christ, lifting us by the hand.
O the Friendliness of Christ, opened heart at Calvary.
O the Friendliness of pilgrim popes who fly around the world.
O the Friendliness of those who companion us through struggles.
O the Tenderness of God, exhaling life into creation.
O the Tenderness of God, descending into Bread and Wine.
O the Tenderness of those who refuse to discriminate.
O the Tenderness of God choosing Mary - such a Mother!
O the Goodness of God who had the thought of me.
O the Goodness of those who create peace.
O the Goodness of those who care for our planet.
O the Goodness of our earth which mothers and sustains us.
O the Excellence of God who draws us to Himself.
O the Excellence of Christ's Gospel Word.
O the Excellence of angels; unseen guardians.
O the Excellence of those who are patient and helpful.
O the Kindness of God who has made us for compassion.
O the Kindness of God born at Bethlehem.
O the Kindness of God with an eye on the sparrow.
O the Kindness of God who imagined the plants and animals.
O the Benevolence of Christ, whispered comfort to the widow of Nain.
O the Benevolence of those who care for children.
O the Benevolence of saints who spark generosity in human hearts.
O the Benevolence of the earth in its water-gift.
O the Friendliness of Christ, lifting us by the hand.
O the Friendliness of Christ, opened heart at Calvary.
O the Friendliness of pilgrim popes who fly around the world.
O the Friendliness of those who companion us through struggles.
O the Tenderness of God, exhaling life into creation.
O the Tenderness of God, descending into Bread and Wine.
O the Tenderness of those who refuse to discriminate.
O the Tenderness of God choosing Mary - such a Mother!
