{"id":61,"date":"2015-07-27T12:00:20","date_gmt":"2015-07-27T12:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.andrewklusman.com\/blog\/?p=61"},"modified":"2015-07-26T19:25:08","modified_gmt":"2015-07-26T19:25:08","slug":"the-dominic-option","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.andrewklusman.com\/blog\/the-dominic-option\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dominic Option"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was catching up on my blogroll these past few days and saw an article by James, over at the great Cream City Catholic, where he wrote on Rod Dreher\u2019s \u201cBendict Option\u201d.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

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St Benedict, by Fra Angelico (Wikipedia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe Benedict Option\u201d<\/span><\/a>, however, does not refer to the \u201cBenedictine arrangement\u201d (or anything related \u2013 as I initially thought), but rather refers to the example of St Benedict, who left \u201cthe chaos of Rome to go to the woods to pray.\u201d Dreher continues his article, saying \u201cThroughout the early Middle Ages, Benedict\u2019s communities formed monasteries, and kept the light of faith burning through the surrounding cultural darkness. Eventually, the Benedictine monks helped refound civilization. I believe that orthodox Christians today are called to be those new and very different St. Benedicts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

James puts forth that things are notably different at traditional parishes \u2013 clear reverence to the Blessed Sacrament and in the church building, sacred music that is beautiful and not banal, regular and available confession times, reliance upon Latin, and well-prepared, doctrine-based homilies and sermons. These parishes foster a notable and distinct <\/span>Catholic<\/i><\/span> identity. These parishes, to James, are a great place to start the \u201cBenedict Option\u201d \u2013 and I mostly agree. Catholics need to offer a counter-cultural alternative to the godless, pornographic, and baby-murdering culture nor presented (along with the bland and uninspiring cultures you\u2019ll find in countless suburban parishes all around the world). <\/span><\/p>\n

However, I think we can supplement and improve upon the \u201cBenedict Option\u201d in a distinct way \u2013 add in a bit of Dominican flavor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before we get to that, though, the Benedict option is not a retreat to the hills, but as James quotes Pope Benedict XVI, \u201cThe Church does not engage in proselytism. Instead, she grows by \u2018attraction\u2019: just as Christ \u2018draws all to himself\u2019 by the power of his love, culminating in the sacrifice of the Cross, so the Church fulfills her mission to the extent that, in union with Christ, she accomplishes every one of her works in spiritual and practical imitation of the love of her Lord.\u201d This is important to keep in mind because, while some folks might be more inclined to \u201chide their light under a bushel\u201d or retreat to the confines and solitude of a monastery, not all of us are called to do that.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Perugia Altarpiece, Side Panel Depicting St. Dominic (Wikipedia)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

So, how can we learn from the Dominicans? <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

First, we know about how society is largely uneducated, after the complete shirking of catechesis by heterodox laity and clergy over the past fifty years<\/a>, so <\/span>we need <\/i><\/span>preachers<\/b><\/i><\/span>, those who can competently teach and witness the truths of the Faith to our baptized and unbaptized brethren<\/i><\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Second, we need those who can <\/span>study<\/b><\/span>, for without knowledge, we can only progress so far in the spiritual life. Further, how can we give that which we do not have? (Hint: We can\u2019t.) <\/span>So, a contemplative study will give us a springboard off which we can base our teaching endeavors<\/i><\/span>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Third, we need a stronger <\/span>meditative<\/b><\/span> life. In our day, we are CONSTANTLY bombarded with noises, distractions, and the latest flibbitigibbet. Do you need to know about some shooting on the other side of the world? Do you need to see the latest advert for an overpriced minicomputer? Or the latest pop song that will be stuck in your head and distract you from the important things to contemplate? (The answer is generally a resounding \u2018NO!\u2019). <\/span>Without meditation, we cannot hope to progress in the spiritual life.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Fourth, we need stronger <\/span>prayer<\/b><\/span>. What is the basis for this? That which the Dominicans were best-known for in former times (aside from their preaching) \u2013 the Sung Office. The Divine Office comprises the other half of the public prayer of the Church. Everyone is familiar with the Mass, as almost all Catholics are obliged to attend it, however, so few Catholics nowadays are familiar with the Office that it is a travesty. In the Psalms, we hear \u201cSeven times a day I have given praise to thee, for the judgments of thy justice\u201d (Ps 119:164), and this, along with a Jewish tradition of praying the Psalms, was the foundation for the Office. I heartily join in the Modern Medievalist\u2019s call to restore the Divine Office as a foundation of culture.<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n

If Catholics desire to put forth a solid, comprehensive, and convincing \u201ccounterculture\u201d to society, one that shows the beauty, glory, and grandeur of our holy religion, the Office (along with the other three Dominican charisms) are a solid and wonderful starting point to begin to build that up. You watch the end of Compline as sung by these Irish Dominicans, and you tell me that isn\u2019t one of the more beautiful things you\u2019ve seen today!<\/span><\/p>\n