Lovers of the Place: Monasticism Loose in the Church [Paperback]

Francis Kline (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

The monastery has often been likened to a powerhouse of prayer, providing light and energy for the countless numbers who make up the Body of Christ. This image has inadvertently furthered the view of monasticism as separate from the rest of the Church, apart from the cares and concerns of "the world." Francis Kline holds out a fresh vision of the monastic life as one form of Christian vocation which now must struggle to find its place alongside other expressions of Christian life. This is must do in communion with the whole People of God. He invites all the baptized to a participation in the monastic charism now loose in the Church at large.

Product Details

• Paperback: 146 pages
• Publisher: The Liturgical Press; Brown Spots edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814624286
• ISBN-13: 978-0814624289
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,519,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Splendid but not what you might think, January 27, 2003

By 

Marilla J. Whitney (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lovers of the Place: Monasticism Loose in the Church (Paperback)

I read this book because I thought the subtitle "Monasticism Loose in the World" meant it might be useful to me as a Cistercian lay contemplative. Kline is the abbot of the Trappist house in South Carolina, a Juilliard trained organist whose creative imagination and insightful analysis make this an excellent book. The opening chapter is an allegory/vision of the contemporary (and perhaps always) church which moved me to tears when I realized what is staining the floor - what we do with all that God offers us. When I realized that the second chapter would comment on the first, I thought "No, no, don't explain it; you'll kill it!" Actually it gently unfolds the earlier imagery in a helpful way, as if explanatory prose was interrupting the writing of his allegory so he gently banished it to another place to preserve the integrity of the original vision.
The following chapters on the Steps of Humility from the Rule of St. Bernard read more like advice from a seasoned spiritual director of monks to a newcomer at the craft. Kline was the Novice Master at Gethsemani before being elected abbot at Mepkin. The advice may apply to people in the world who are trying to follow the Rule but are not transparent enough to apply easily to one's own journey. It should be exceptionally useful to monastics involved in formation of new (and old) members of such communities.
In attending the Solemnity of the Cistercian Founders, Sunday, January 26th, at Mepkin Abbey, I heard Fr. Kline say in his sermon that he knows little about the Cistercian lay contemplative movement. "So why write a book for us?" I thought. Then I realized that in the vision the monastics going out into the world are those who have been formed in community, that is within monasteries, and are now going out into the world. They are not lay contemplatives who are living into the charism as fully as possible while living secular lives. An alternative for us, of course, is Paul Wilkes' _Beyond the Walls_. But I hope Kline gets around to us eventually! We could use his help.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovers of the Place, July 26, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Lovers of the Place: Monasticism Loose in the Church (Paperback)

Abbot Kline leads one into the interior life and the monastic life in a most compelling read. Excellent for those seeking 'the quiet' in everyday life.