In this book of descriptive spirituality, Casey, a Cistercian monk from Australia, explores the Rule of St. Benedict, examining the virtues and values contained in the Rule that can serve as tools to carve out a life of Christian discipleship. The Benedictine Rule enables the monk to chip away at self-absorption and self-deception and to chisel oneself, at least in rough outline, into the image of the Christ. Such chipping and chiseling is a lifelong task of self-transformation, which, the monk discovers, is ultimately not his own work but the work of God. Casey maintains that in this work of transformation one becomes, to use Benedict's phrase, "a stranger to the city": the values of the city, the goals of the city, and the claims of the city are alien to the monk and, ultimately, to God's transforming work. Casey proposes that the transforming work of the monk must also be the transforming work of the ordinary Christian, whose call to holiness is no less real or arduous. Casey is a very good writer, and he makes the notion of monasticism something that can resonate with the common expeience of us all as we try to make some sense of ourselves and our lives. Suitable for libraries of churches, retreat centers, and religiously affiliated schools.-David I. Fulton, Coll. of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Among monastics the notice of a new offering by Michael Casey, OCSO, is treated as good news. In monastic circles, he seems to have a niche not unlike Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen have with the general public. Strangers to the City is no exception.
Casey writes from the Cistercian perspective on the monastic life. Some Benedictines give him a demerit on that score. But not this reviewer. Casey writes for the monastic. in general but with a Cistercian flavor that benefits the most active of those Benedictines existing along the broad spectrum of what "living according to the Rule" implies. This book would appeal to the busiest oblate as well as to the Benedictine nun.
"The key idea of this book is expressed in its title." the author writes in his preface. "Benedict advises his monks 'to make themselves strangers to the actions of the age'-to become strangers to the city." This state of living somewhat apart, morally more "implies an 'infrastructure of beliefs and values." Casey's book treats these important beliefs and values.
The chapters range from the first, "Distinctiveness," to the last, Chapter 13, "Perseverance." Sandwiched in between are chapters on asceticism, leisure, reading, chastity, dispossession, antecedent willingness, mutuality, generativity, Christ, contemplation and holiness.
Casey appeals in the "Distinctiveness" chapter to what he sees as the need to be monastics of "integrity," focused persons who live by values contrary to our age. On Pages [1-12 he lists some of actions of our age to which Benedict is opposed, such as "to pay attention to worldly rank" or "to claim the right to grumble when things go against them." He describes the middle ground to be sought between too much "openness" to the world and the creation of a "social fantasy system" that sometimes happens when the walls of the monastery are too impermeable.
In the chapter on reading, Casey dares to mention the effects of the electronic media on our monastic life, i.e. TV, the computer and all their offspring. He speaks of the "danger of servitude" to the electronic media. This servitude dangerously affects the life of the "lover of the book," which he takes as synonymous with monastic life. Casey also has his usual good and perceptive comments about lecto divina.
Casey's "Mutuality" chapter has to do with community. His remarks have the flavor of definitely being lived. He speaks whereof he knows. Actually, reading this chapter might make more than one of us monastics squirm a bit. "Moi?" Benedictines November 1, 2006
To those interested or fascinated by the monastic life as well as those who follow the Rule of St. Benedict as monks, nuns, or Oblates, Strangers to the City is an illuminating read. Fr. Michael Casey, O.C.S.O., is a Cistercian monk of Tarrawarra Abbey in Australia, a spiritual writer on monastic topics and a much sought-after retreat master and lecturer. Strangers to the City is his reflection on the monastic life. One might first think that such a book would have nothing to say to those not living the monastic life or as Oblates; this is not true. The Rule of St. Benedict is a guide to living the Gospel, and all Christians are called to live the Gospels, not only monks or the other religious or clergy. Casey discusses the values of asceticism, poverty, leisure, chastity, obedience, sharing, caring, meditation or lectio Divina, contemplation, and other topics. In addition to his own reflections, he brings in the reflections of the monastic fathers and mothers to show how one can live a spiritual life based on the Rule of St. Benedict.
Casey's book can be very academic at times with intellectual verbiage. The general reader should not be scared off by this, though; non-intellectuals can gain much from this book.
Casey shows how the Rule of Benedict is nothing to be run away from. One of the key words of the Rule is moderation, a well-tried rule that has passed time's test. St. Benedict was not Into extremes, and Casey shows how Benedictine moderation, balance, peace, and simplicity can help our chaotic world. A bibliography is not included, but the end-notes can serve very well for that.
Fr. Michael is the author of An Unexciting Life: Reflections on Benedictine Spirituality (2005), Fully Human, Fully Divine: An Interactive Christology (2004), A Guide to Living the Truth (2001), Return to the Heart (2001), Truthful Living (1998), Sacred Reading (1996), Toward God (1996), and other books and articles.
Strangers to the City is part of the Paraclete Press "A Voice from the Monastery" series and is highly recommended to those curious about the monastic life as it is lived under the Rule of St. Benedict. It also belongs in any library's collection on monasticism.
Br. Benet Exton, O.S.B. www.curledup.com February 17, 2006
WITH A POPE named Benedict, now seems an opportune time to look at three books that explore the values St. Benedict and his followers hold dear.
The focus of Strangers to the City is captured in the title of Chapter 1: "Distinctiveness. " Our way of acting as Benedictines (and indeed as Christians) should be different from the world's way.
In tile sixth century a young man named Benedict left the city of Rome where he was studying. Benedict rejected the decadent beliefs and priorities dominant in his day and began a journey that would gradually align his life with gospel values and ultimately lead him to union with God.
Do you experience a lack of balance, stability, moderation and peace in your life? Casey's book may well be the compass that will point you in a new direction. In so doing, you may discover an exhilarating freedom that comes from choosing the priorities that Benedict found helpful in his search for God.
This is a deeply challenging book for anyone discerning a call to monastic life or desiring to deepen a monastic commitment made years ago.
Mary Ann Verkamp, O.S.B. St. Anthony Messenger November 1, 2005
In this book of descriptive spirituality, Casey, a Cistercian monk from Australia, explores the Rule of St. Benedict, examining the virtues and values contained in the Rule that can serve as tools to carve out a life of Christian discipleship. The Benedictine Rule enables the monk to chip away at self-absorption and self-deception and to chisel oneself, at least in rough outline, into the image of the Christ. Such chipping and chiseling is a lifelong task of self-transformation, which, the monk discovers, is ultimately not his own work but the work of God. Casey maintains that in this work of transformation one becomes, to use Benedict's phrase, "a stranger to the city": the values of the city, the goals of the city, and the claims of the city are alien to the monk and, ultimately, to God's transforming work. Casey proposes that the transforming work of the monk must also be the transforming work of the ordinary Christian, whose call to holiness is no less real or arduous. Casey is a very good writer, and he makes the notion of monasticism something that can resonate with the common experience of us all as we try to make some sense of ourselves and our lives. Suitable for libraries of churches, retreat centers, and religiously affiliated schools.
David Fulton, Coll. of Saint Elizabeth, Morristown, NJ LIBRARYJOURNAL August 1, 2005
