Resources for Lay Cistercians
OCSO Homepage: https://www.ocso.org
Cistercian Experientia document: https://www.ocso.org/formation/experientia/
Cistercian Studies
| • Casey, Michael, OCSO. Fully Human, Fully Divine: An Interactive Christology.
• Liguiri, MO: Liguori/Triumph, 2004. |
| • Casey, Michael, OCSO. Exordium (Cistercian Studies Quarterly, (An International Review of the Monastic and Contemplative Spiritual Tradition) |
| • de Waal, Esther. The Way of Simplicity: The Cistercian Tradition. Amazon.com |
| • Krailsheimer, A.J. Rance and the Trappist Legacy. Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, 1985. |
| • Leclercq, Jean, OSB: Bernard of Clairvoux and the Cistercian Spirit (No publisher available) |
| • Louf, Andre, OCSO. The Cistercian Way, Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, 1989 |
| • Merton, Thomas. The Waters of Siloe: New York: Harcourt Brace Publishers, 1949 |
| • Pennington, M. Basil, OCSO, The Cistercians. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1992. |
| • __________. ed. The Cistercian Spirit: A symposium in memory of Thomas Merton. Washington: Consortium Press. 1973 (No purchase link available) |
| • __________. ed. Bernard of Clairvaux. A Lover Teaching the Way of Love. Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 1997 |
| • __________. A School of Love: The Cistercian Way to Holiness. |
| • Squire, Aelred. Aelred of Rievaulx: A Study. Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications. 1981 |
| • Sommerfeldt, John. The Spiritual Teachings of Bernard of Clairvaux. Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, 1991 (Out of Stock) |
| • Tamburello, Dennis E. Bernard of Clairvaux: Essential Writings. New York: The Crossroad Publishing Co. |
| • Vest, Norvene, Preferring Christ: A Devotional Commentary and Workbook on the Rule of St. Benedict. Trabuco Canyon, CA: Source Books, 1990 |
| • The Golden Epistle –William of St Thierry –Cistercian Fathers Series #12 –Cistercian Publications –Kalamazoo, MI |
Contemplative Spirituality –
Recommendations for reading:
| • The Cloud of Unknowing. Edited by William Johnston. Garden City: Image Books, 1973 |
| • Chittister, Joan, OSB, Illuminated Life: Monastic Wisdom for Seekers of Light. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2000 |
| • Cummings, Charles, OCSO, The Mystery of the Ordinary |
| • Davis, Bruce. Monastery Without Walls: Daily Life in the Silence. Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1990 |
| • Finley, James. The Contemplative Heart. Notre Dame: Sorin Books, 2000 |
| • Manss, Virginia and Frohlich, Mary, Editors. The Lay Contemplative: Testimonies, Perspectives, Resources. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2000 |
| • Merton, Thomas. New Seeds of Contemplation. New York: Direction Books, 1961 |
| • __________. The Inner Experience: Notes on Contemplation. New York: Harper Collins Books, 2003 |
| • Skinner, John. ed. Wisdom of the Cloister. New York: Image Books, 1999 |
| • Vest, Norvene. No Moment Too Small: Rhythms of Silence, Prayer and Holy Reading. Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, 1994 |
| • A Serious call to a devout Holy Life – William Law |
| • The New Stations of the Cross : The Way of the Cross According to Scripture |
Recommended books on Prayer:
| • Emery, Pierre-Yves, 15 Days of Prayer with St. Bernard. Liguori: Liguori Publications, 2002 |
| • Howard, Katherine. Praying with Benedict. Winona: St. Mary’s Press, 1996 |
| • Mundy, Linus. A Retreat With Benedict and Bernard. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1998 |
| • Pennington, M. Basil. Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures. New York: The Crossroads Publishing Co., 1998 |
| • Simsic, Wayne, Praying with Thomas Merton. Winona: St. Mary’s Press, 1994 |
Books about the Abbey of Gethsemani:
| • Aprile, Diane, The Abbey of Gethsemani: Place of Peace and Paridise. Paradox, Trout Lily Press 1998. |
| • Making a Heart for God: A Week Inside a Catholic Monestary |
| • Merton Video produced by Morgan Atkinson |
| • Quenon, Bro. Paul, Plante, Bro. Guerric, and Kelly, Fr. Timothy. Holy Folly: Short and Tall Tales from the Abbey of Gethsemani. Windson, ON; Black Moss Press, 1998 |
Books on the Rule of St. Benedict:
| • RB 1980: The Rule of St. Benedict in English. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1982 |
| • Chittister, Joan, OSB. Wisdom Distilled From the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1990. |
| • Dean, Eric. Saint Benedict for the Laity. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1989. |
| • de Waal, Esther. Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1984. |
| • Fry, Timothy, OSB, ed. The Rule of St. Benedict. New York: Vintage Spiritual Classics, 1998. |
| • Pratt, Lonni Collins and Homan, OSB, Daniel. Benedict’s Way: An Ancient Monk’s Insights for a Balanced Life. Chicago: Loyola Press, 2000. |
| • Pratt, Lonni Collins and Homan, OSB, Daniel. Benedict’s Way of Love: Radical Hospitality. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2002. |
| • Robinson, David. The Family Cloister: Benedictine Wisdom for the Home. Amazon Books |
| • Taylor, Brian C. Spirituality for Everyday Living: An Adaptation of the Rule of St. Benedict. Collegeville: The Liturgical Press, 1989. |
| • Vest, Norvene, Oblate OSB. Preferring Christ: A Devotional Commentary and Workbook on the Rule of St. Benedict. Trabuco Canyon: Source Books, 1990 and Valyermo: Overstock.com |
Homilies, reflections, articles, and poetry by monks of the Abbey of Gethsemani
| Fr. Michael Casagram, OCSO: |
| • Fr. Michael’s reflections and homilies |
| • Casagram, Michael, OCSO, “Discerning the Movements of Grace in Our Lives,” September, 2000. |
| • __________. “Spiritual Direction and the Lay Contemplative Life,” July 2000. |
| • __________. “Toward the Formation of LCG Members,” August 2001 |
| Br. Paul Quenon, OCSO |
| • Br. Paul’s poetry and photography |
Contributions from our members:
| • Linda Boerstler |
| • Walter Poe |
| • Ray Greers |
| • Joe Gentilini |
| • George Schaller |
| • Bob Siegel |
| • Gray Matthews |