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Title: A Way of Desert Spirituality: The Plan of Life of the Hermits of Bethlehem, Chester, New Jersey by Eugene L. Romano ISBN: 0-8189-0821-1 Publisher: Alba House Pub. Date: November, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $8.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

Rating: 4
Summary: A Scheme of Monastic Life, albiet canon 603
Comment: A Way of Desert Spirituality?
My final decision to review the "Plan of Life of the Hermits of Bethlehem," in spite that this delightful book is a compendium of spiritual directives, by an experienced abbot for his own monastic community, which on joining his Laura have vowed to be obedient to the hermits' rules. Mine was a persuasion reading an apologetic review of Fr. Romano's other book, "In the silence of Solitude," reported by my Amazon Favorite AmeriCopticLailac, since she drew parallels with Orthodox mystical spirituality, as reported in a recent English release of the sayings of the Desert Fathers in; "Orthodox Prayer Life: the interior way."

Western Monastic Traditions:
Although John cassian was the first to establish monastic communities in Marseilles, according to established Coptic traditions. The schema faded out until St. Bernard of Cleurvaux restored it to its original zenith. Father Romano is now emulating St. Bernard earnest zeal to persue real contemplative monasticism that get you all the way in.
I recognize in this book a return to the central mission of the desert for the hermits of Bethlehem: The Scheme of monasticism, and Fr. Romano spelled it clear: The Plan of Hermetical Life.
Bethlehem stands as a 'doorway' to the wilderness of your own heart; is in positive response to our Lord saying that, "The kingdom of God is within you" Luke 17:21. Jesus taught also that He is "the way, the truth, and the life" John 14:6

A Hidden Life of Prayer:
"One ought always to pray and not to lose heart." Luke 18:1
a. The freeing of the soul; Detachment in kenosis
b. Purification of the heart
c. Contrition of the spirit
d. Faith in Perseverance
e. Struggle and Constraint
f. Bridling the mind
g. Holy silence
h. Unceasing prayer
i. Access into the Father's presence

A Monastic Schema:
Comparing the above scheme of the Macarian friars of Scetes in Nitria with those of Bethlehem you will notice a striking similarity. No wonder, they are all sons and daughters of Anthony by the Lord promise, to whom Anthony offered all he got, only that the Macrians lack canon 603!
This is a book to be read by novices, retreaters, and all devotees of spiritual renewal, by a modern Desert Abba that has choosen to name himself after one of the great missionary monastic elders, Abba Ogin (Eugene) and his Syrian brotherhood of the bearers of the Cross, commemorated to this day in the Coptic Diptych prayed word to word by both Catholic and Orthodox Coptic Christians.

Rating: 5
Summary: A simple to understand book on the eremetical life.
Comment: I myself have read a few books on christian monasticism, including many by Thomas Merton. This book I found to be thoroughly enjoyable. It is basicaly the Plan of Life for these Hermits. It is a christian book. It speaks alot about the influence of the Desert Fathers on their plan of life. This is a book of Desert Spirituality. It discusses some basic and simple elements to the eremetical life. I dont think anyone grounded in the christian faith will have much trouble understanding the ideas in this book. And for those fans of the Desert Fathers this book is a must read. It was a peaceful and prayerful book.

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