Benedictine Institute
“Listen carefully, my child, to your master’s precepts,
and incline the ear of your heart.”
So begins the Rule of Saint Benedict, which has shaped the lives
of Benedictine monks since the sixth century. For more than 100 years, Saint
Martin’s students have been listening “with the ear of their hearts.” And
for those many years, Saint Martin’s students have been guided by a set of
core values laid out by Saint Benedict in The Rule. Among the
values: awareness of God, dignity of work, respect for persons, hospitality,
stability, stewardship. Many alumni attribute their success in life to these
values, gained through their experiences at Saint Martin’s — experiences
defined by the vitality of the monastic community, the welcoming atmosphere
of campus, the commitment to excellence in education, and, most
significantly, the passion for our Catholic, Benedictine tradition.
Working in collaboration with departments and programs, the Saint
Martin’s Benedictine Institute will lead the University in upholding and
promoting its Benedictine heritage. Both on campus and off, it will build
and enhance awa¬reness of the values that, for so long, have guided the
community. As an integral part of University life, the Institute will
contribute to the intellectual and spiritual development of Saint Martin’s.
Why the Institute, and why now?
For many Saint Martin’s alumni, campus and classroom life was shaped by a
strong monastic presence. Today, the Abbey remains the soul of the campus,
but the monastic community is shrinking. Our beloved monks participate in
campus life, but very few are able to serve as teachers and administrators
as they once did. As with most Catholic institutions, lay leadership is
necessary.
How, then, do we make certain that the Benedictine tradition stays
foremost a part of our Saint Martin’s identity? The Benedictine Institute
will provide that valuable connection to our roots, ensuring that we remain
true to our heritage even as the nature of higher education changes. It will
be instrumental in the promulgation of our values, supporting within the
community a heightened commitment to our mission.
“Many years ago, when our students were surrounded by so many monks, we
took for granted what it meant to be a Benedictine institution because it
was such a visible part of our everyday lives,” says Father Kilian Malvey,
O.S.B. executive director of the Benedictine Institute. “Today, we have to
be intentional in how we cultivate our identity. This is a challenge, but it
is a wonderful blessing, too. We have before us an opportunity to be more
mindful, more attentive to our heritage, and frame our Benedictine values
within the context of the modern world.”