A Monastic is a religious who chooses 'separation from the world' to a great extent in order to stay intimate with God and to be solely engaged in building up the Church through a spiritual ministry.
Monastics dedicated and docile to the Holy Spirit have as their
Vision : Contemplation
Mission : Evangelization
Contemplation
The universe was created in statu viae (state of journeying towards completion).God makes one complete in a personal relationship with HIM.
Purity and Humility are the base of this relationship.
Evangelization
Tools are the Fruits, Gifts and Charisms of the Holy Spirit. The monastics are to be consistently on fire with zeal and vigilance to draw maximum human souls to Jesus.
EASTERN MONASTICISM
Eastern Monasticism is a 'Living Movement' (not an Institute) in the Catholic Church. It is a stream of 'Living Water' that springs straight out of the Wellspring of the Gospel. Monasticism lies along the line of people's thirst to see God and enjoy harmony (both internal and external). In a fast-paced world, Monasticism slows down to relish and nourish the lasting values of the Heavenly Kingdom. People do not want the help of the religious in the matters that they can do and manage. We live in an era of 'search', where all are ready to go wherever they can find what they are searching for... Having tried out almost everything in the material world, they are looking for something lasting and for the means to attain it... The deepest thirst of a human heart is the natural desire to see God. An Eastern Monastery is a Spiritual Inn that can heal, nurture and direct the human heart to quench its strong thirst. People are trying to quench their thirst with 'non-living water'..to fill their emptiness with wrong things.. They want someone to offer them the ways to get the Living Water and the right things to fill them. The solution for every external problem lies in the internal. Who will teach them how to tap it? Today, the Congregations and Orders are too busy to know, first of all, how to learn for themselves... Monastic witness and ministry inspire and teach people how to tap from within.
Monasticism has a Cosmic task through a life-style where Original Harmony is restored in the whole universe. Monasticism is geared toward the Lord's Second Coming. Monastic prayer life, community life, dynamic intercession, hospitality and anointed ministry are powerful Evangelical Witness. A monastic listens to the Holy Spirit in silence and solitude. The Holy Spirit directs the monastic for personal holiness and for cosmic Holiness. A monastic is a mystic and a prophet. 'Ecumenism' and 'Evangelization' are most possible through Monasteries living in the true spirit of Eastern Monasticism.
The Evangelical life of the Monastic community is an authentic witness of the Gospel. Continuity with the Gospel and the Apostolic Holy tradition is the basic norm and character of Monasticism.
Matthew 16:24-27, 19:16-29
Acts 2:42-46, 4:32-36
'Trinitarian life' and 'Transfiguration' are the two essential dimensions of Eastern Spirituality. The Church is on pilgrimage and is not immune to the blemishes of the world where she inhabits currently. The surest method for an on-going self-renewal is to return to the authentic sources of the Church. The Church achieves this self-purification in and through the souls committed and consecrated solely to the pursuit of Holiness and Mysticism. Monasticism is esteemed and envisioned as the starting point and proto-type of the other forms of evangelical life.
The life of a monastic is not at all an isolation from the human community, but a penitential life with a deeper commitment to the human community. The Contemplation of the Divine Mysteries never causes isolation but solitude and intimacy with the Trinity. The personal and community prayers of the monastics do not deteriorate into a devotional pietism, but help in self-purification for a greater communion with God, the Church and the universe. As liturgy is the most sublime expression of the life of the Church, the life of monastics is also deeply rooted in liturgy. The Holy Spirit is always the sustaining strength and the source of inspiration for every monastic.
Matthew 16:24-26
"With regard to Monasticism, in consideration of its importance in Eastern Christianity, we would like it to flourish once more in the Eastern Catholic Churches and that support be given to all those who feel called to work for its revitalisation. In fact, in the East, an intrinsic link exists between liturgical prayer, spiritual tradition and monastic life. For this reason precisely, a well trained and motivated renewal of Monastic life could mean true ecclesial fruitfulness for them as well." - Pope John Paul II, Apostolic letter Orientale Lumen No.27
"In the East and in the West, the venerable institution of Monastic life should be faithfully preserved and should grow ever increasingly radiant with its own authentic spirit. Through the long course of the centuries, this institution has proved its merits splendidly to the Church and to human society. The main task of monks is to render to the Divine Majesty a service at once simple and noble within the Monastic confines. This they do either by devoting themselves entirely to Divine Worship in a life that is hidden or by lawfully taking up some apostolate or works of Christian charity. While safeguarding the proper identity of each institution, let Monasteries be renewed in their ancient and beneficial traditions and so adapt them to the modern needs of souls that Monasteries will be seedbeds of growth for the Christian people." - Vatican Council II, Religious Life No.9
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