One Heart, One Soul: Many Communities

The School of Theology’s seminary of Saint John’s University sponsors an annual Monastic Institute to provide continuing education and spiritual enrichment for American monastics and all those interested in monastic spirituality and practice. One Heart, One Soul revisits the 2006 institute and its focus on the future with such important questions as:

How do the origins, history, and present state of Benedictine monasticism point to the viability of its future? How can the new intentional communities contribute to the revitalization of Benedictine monasticism today? In what ways do the Benedictine Rule and its array of communal arrangements and the perspectives of these members and oblates inspire and provide the scaffolding for new communities of life and hope in our modern world? Attempts to answer these questions showcase the theme of unity in diversity and address Benedictine monasticism in broad, institutional strokes as well as in the very specific practices and narratives of monastics, oblates, and others living in various communities. In this volume, you will hear the voices of many community members ‘young and old, men and women, Benedictines and intentional community members 'all speaking from the heart of their lived experience and wisdom.

Mary Forman, OSB, PhD, is a Benedictine sister from the Monastery of Saint Gertrude, Cottonwood, Idaho. She is associate professor of theology, teaching monastic studies and theology at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in Central Minnesota.