Benedictines of the Good Shepherd Monastery
The Benedictines of the Good Shepherd is located at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Naples, FL. We have been meeting for the past six years on Monday mornings for Centering Prayer, followed by "lectio divina". We also have some members who participate in our spiritual development group which selects different books to read and process together over a period of several weeks. We have especially profited from works of Henri Nouwen, Joan Chittester, Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, Basil Pennignton, and others.
I have made profession as a Grey Robed Monk of St. Benedict and have been consequently made abbot-elect for the Southern Province of that group. After much discernment and reflection and prayer, I have decided to expand the charter of the Grey Robed Monks to include all seekers of a deeper relationship with God who desire to follow the Benedictine way of life concentrating on simplicity of life, humility and generosity of spirit, and, ultimately, conversion of life, the goal of all Benedictines. The only litmus test for membership in our monastic community is a firm and sincere desire to enter into a deeper relationship with the Source of all life and an ability to participate in our special mission: advocacy of social justice in the tomato fields of our Collier County and throughout the world, and a heart open to receive and support all who seek to accomplish our same goals and objectives.
