Invitation from the Abbey
The monastery is the place that binds all Benedictines together. At the invitation of Bishop Christopher Epting, Diocescan of Iowa, the Abbey of St. Benedict moved from the inner city of Chicago to rural southeast Iowa. The Companions of St. Luke are the first Episcopal Community to be invited into the Iowa Diocese in a considerable period of time and we strive to be worthy of the trust placed in us by the Bishop. The Abbey sits on 35 acres of forest and tranquil pasture land between the towns of Ft. Madison and Donnellson, Iowa.
The Abbey is not only a place of prayer, work and study but is also available as a sanctuary for counseling, retreats and hospitality. Listen - An Invitation from the Abbot of the Companions of St. Luke . The Rule of St. Benedict tells us: "Listen carefully, my child, to my instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart". We of the Companions of St. Luke ~ OSB would ask you to listen with the ear of your heart. St. Benedict further says: "This message of mine is for you, then, if you are ready to give up your own will, once and for all, and armed with the strong and noble weapons of obedience to do battle for Jesus, the Christ." Christ is among us, every day, in every way. Washed clean in the waters of baptism, we share in His life and love. It is he who calls to us, day in and day out, he who calls us to a closer walk with him. It is Christ who says to us: "Who is there who longs for life?" and also, "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden . . . for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." What could be sweeter to those of us who call ourselves Christians than the voice of our Lord calling to us? Each day many turn away from the Beloved, drawn from his embrace by the cares of this world. Listen and listen closely to what the Lord is saying to you this day. This is an invitation from Christ to enter into a journey that will transform and renew those willing to be challenged. Religious life is not for everyone but for those who are called, it is a life that is unique beyond all others. Religious life requires of you all that you hold dear. It will stretch you past your known limitations and give back little that the world considers valuable. Your joy, instead, will be in your struggle and in the knowledge that Christ stands firmly in the midst of that struggle, providing the solid Rock upon which your transformation can occur. If you are called to a life of prayer, selflessness, discipline, obedience, stability and conversion of life, then attend with the ear of your heart for you are the one to whom these words are addressed.
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