August 16, 2002

Benedict, Dominic and the Fathers

John DaFiesole described his incarnational method of praying the Liturgy of the Hours, which reminds me of a new book from Ignatius Press, "Earthen Vessels: The Practice of Personal Prayer According to the Patristic Tradition", written by Fr. Gabriel Bunge, O.S.B. Father Bunge is a Benedictine hermit living in Switzerland, and is steeped in the writings of the Greek Fathers of the Church.

His book introduces the ancient patristic way of prayer, which integrated contemplation and action through various physical gestures during prayer: facing east, hands outstreched, prostrations, various gestures appropriate to the liturgical season - for example, more kneeling and prostrations during penitential seasons. Along the way he demolishes the idea that Eastern meditation techniques are compatible with Christian prayer. Lotsa citations of Evagrius Ponticus.

Sounds a bit like Saint Dominic's nine ways of prayer, doesn't it?

Posted by billw at August 16, 2002 03:43 PM | TrackBack
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