Charles would often share John Cassian’s work describing the Desert Fathers during his monthly meditations and would often refer to them in his writings on contemplation. Charles first exposure to the Desert Fathers was from a recommended reading list from Fr Bede Graham in the late 1950’s at the New Melleray Abbey. The works of the Desert Fathers were foundational not only to the Benedictine Rules but also recent the Post Vatican II contemplative movement.
The Desert Fathers, also known as the Desert Monastics or the Early Christian Monks, were a group of Christian hermits, ascetics, and monks who lived mainly in the deserts of Egypt and Syria in the third and fourth centuries. They withdrew from society and headed into the desert for various reasons, including:
- Seeking Solitude: Many of the Desert Fathers sought solitude in the desert as a way to deepen their relationship with God. They believed that by separating themselves from the distractions and temptations of the world, they could better focus on their spiritual growth and attain a deeper understanding of God’s will.
- Pursuing Asceticism: The Desert Fathers also saw the harsh desert environment as a way to practice extreme asceticism, which involved renouncing worldly pleasures and physical comfort in order to purify their souls and become more holy. They often lived in extreme poverty, subsisting on a simple diet of bread and water, and endured physical hardships.
- Fleeing Persecution: Some of the Desert Fathers may have fled to the desert to escape persecution during the Roman Empire’s crackdown on contemplative Christianity. By withdrawing from society and living in remote areas, they could avoid arrest and continue to practice their faith in secret.
- Rejecting the World: Finally, the Desert Fathers also saw their withdrawal from society as a way to reject the values and priorities of a modern world. They believed that the values of the world were corrupt and that the pursuit of wealth, power, and pleasure would ultimately lead to spiritual emptiness and separation from God. By living in the desert, they could reject these values and focus solely on their spiritual growth.
John Cassian (c. 360 – 435) was a Christian monk and theologian who lived in the Eastern Roman Empire and is best known for his writings on monasticism. His teachings were heavily influenced by the Desert Fathers and focused on spiritual discipline and the pursuit of holiness. Here are some of the main teachings of John Cassian:
1.The importance of spiritual discipline: Cassian taught that spiritual discipline was essential for anyone seeking to grow in their relationship with God. This included practices such as fasting, prayer, and meditation.
2. The need for discernment: Cassian emphasized the importance of discernment in the spiritual life, particularly in distinguishing between the voice of the spirit and the internal voice of the self centeredness.
3. The role of community: Cassian believed that living in community was crucial for spiritual growth and encouraged his followers to seek out like-minded individuals with whom they could share their spiritual journey.
4. The value of manual labor: Cassian believed that manual labor was an important part of the monastic life, as it helped to cultivate humility and a strong work ethic.
5. The danger of spiritual pride: Cassian warned against the danger of spiritual pride, cautioning his followers against becoming complacent in their spiritual practices and seeking recognition or praise for their achievements.
6. The importance of hospitality: Cassian emphasized the value of showing hospitality to others, both as a way of living out the teachings of Jesus and as a means of welcoming his spirit into one’s life.
7. The goal of perfection: Cassian believed that the ultimate goal of the life was to achieve perfection in being, a goal that could only be attained through a lifetime of spiritual discipline and growth.