et labora: How Benedictine monks approach work
Discerning one’s path to the monastery raises obvious questions about the contrast between Benedictine life and the secular world. You may already note apparent differences like communal living, monastic vows and set times for monks’ prayer.
What you may not anticipate are the shifts in attitudes towards the most common and mundane activities like eating. For example, at St. Bede the mealtimes are rooted in St. Benedict’s teachings about anticipating each other’s needs. So at the table, the monks pass the food to one another during the course of the meal.
Work is no different. The Benedictine motto of ora et labora intrinsically ties the work of a monk to his spiritual life. And because of this, monks approach work in a particular way, radically different from the secular world.
Those wondering how to become a monk will quickly realize that this isn’t just a lifestyle shift. It’s a means of glorifying God.
You can learn more about applying Benedictine teaching to our modern world here.
Order over optimization
We’re all familiar with how optimization and “grind” can dictate modern approaches to work. A student pulls an all-nighter to ensure the best possible grade. A lawyer stresses over the number of hours to bill a client and maximize value.
But for a Benedictine monk, work doesn’t get optimized to fill every available minute. Instead, it is deliberately contained. The rhythms of the day are set by the Divine Office— designated prayer times that span from the early hours until bedtime. Mealtimes are treated similarly. In all these moments, the monks are required to shift their attention to the matter at hand.
You can learn more about meals at our monastery in Illinois here.
When the signal for prayer is given, a monk will stop working even if there is still progress being made. Tasks get left temporarily unfinished, only to be returned to later in the day. A monk must accept these limits to productivity as part of the structure of their day.
The pause in work allows them to find nourishment for their work—either in food or in prayer. This, of course, gives them strength to continue working. But it also acts as a reminder of the spiritual meaning behind their tasks.
Stability as an approach to work
Stability is one of the three Benedictine vows every monk takes. Monks remain in one place, live among one community and practice the same rhythm every day. When we apply this vow to work, our goal shifts from getting ahead, to simply being faithful.
In the secular world, we often ask “How do I maximize my work?” But for a Benedictine monk, the question becomes, “Can I leave a project unfinished and return to it the next day?” Or even, “Can I return to the monastic routine, day after day, with attention and humility?”
We see it in all corners of our monastery in Illinois. Manual labor is practiced as routine. The slow reading of the lectio divina requires concentration. Monks are invited to perform one task at a time. And over time, any boredom is transformed into presence.
Just as with a monk’s prayer time or readings, the task itself isn’t about finishing. Rather, it’s about allowing oneself to be changed by the actions, finding God even in the ordinary.
You can learn more about stability and the other Benedictine vows here.
Working with the community
In today’s secular world, many view work as hyper-individualized. Goals, performance and achievement are all about serving one’s own drives.
Contrast this with the work assigned to St. Bede’s monks. For us, the goal is to serve the community. Oftentimes, this means doing work you didn’t choose, on a timeline you did not set.
From manual labor to gardening, cooking to writing—the output is for the benefit others, rather than solely oneself.
This is where Benedictine monks trade autonomy for their monastic vow of obedience. They are freed from ego to more fully follow God's will.
You can learn more about the work and goods of St. Bede’s monks here.
The radical concept of “enough”
As St. Benedict writes in The Rule, “all things are to be done with moderation.” When work becomes overly optimized, there is no natural stopping point. We always search for “more” or “a better option.”
Instead, Benedictine life presents the idea of “enough.” The work you’ve done for the day is enough. The progress you’ve made is enough.
Asking the question “How do I become a monk” is just the start. The real transformation happens as you enter into the rhythms of monastic life. If you’d like to begin that journey at our monastery in Illinois please get in contact with us using this form.
