Referring to his recent address to the world of culture last September in Paris, Benedict XVI recalled "the exemplarity of monastic life in the history," pointing out its purpose "both simple and essential: quaerere Deum," through "invisible realities that are eternal." "The life shown by God for this search is his own Word," explained the Pontiff. "Desire for God and love for his Word are nourishing one another and give birth in the monastic life to the irrepressible exigency of opus Dei, of stadium orationis and of lectio divina." Hence the reference to the recent Synod of Bishops on the Word, which called for all Christians "to root their existence in the listening of the Word of God contained in the Sacred Scriptures," and the invitation, made to religious communities and consecrated men and women in particular, "to make of the Word of God their daily nourishment especially through the practice of lectio divina." "Those who enter a monastery are looking for a spiritual oasis where to learn how to live as true disciples of Jesus." "This is the witness" concluded Benedict XVI "the Church is asking monasticism to bear even in our time." "May monasteries be true oases of ascetic life." ” ” ” “
