Implementing Benedictine values in our lives

As I reflect on my time at St. John’s University and the College of St. Benedict, two Benedictine values resonate deeply with me even today. I can almost see my freshman self sighing and rolling my eyes as I admit that Benedictine values have been among the most impactful lessons I learned as a Johnnie—but it’s true. Nearly ten years after graduating, I find that these values are not only still relevant but deeply needed in my life, my workplace, my neighborhood, my church and the wider world. The two values that have stayed with me are obsculta, meaning “listen,” and community building. These lifelong virtues were modeled for me at St. John’s and St. Ben’s, and I continue to intentionally cultivate them today. I encourage current Johnnies and Bennies, as well as fellow alumni, to do the same. Our world needs it.

Obsculta is the Latin imperative meaning “listen,” and it is the first word in the Rule of St. Benedict. Within Benedictine spirituality, obsculta carries layered meanings: attentive listening, deep hearing and listening with the heart. I witnessed obsculta throughout my time at St. John’s—in interactions with professors, advisors, nuns and monks, and during liturgies where long, deliberate pauses created space for reflection and inner listening. Anyone who knows me knows that I enjoy talking. Because of that, cultivating the virtue of obsculta remains an ongoing practice for me nearly a decade after leaving St. John’s and St. Ben’s. I am far from an expert listener, but I believe I am a better husband, father, friend, neighbor and colleague because I continue striving to listen more deeply.

The second Benedictine value that has profoundly shaped me—community building—feels especially urgent in a world marked by divisiveness, loneliness and hate. I recently listened to a podcast that described our era as the “antisocial century,” a phrase that resonated with both what I’ve read and what I’ve personally experienced. We have become increasingly poor at building local, tangible community. While cell phones help us stay connected with close friends and family who live far away, and social media allows us to find large communities of like-minded individuals, these connections are largely mediated by technology. At the same time, relationships with neighbors, coworkers, church members and local organizations have eroded. Building relationships with the people around us takes intentional effort. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, look up from our phones, introduce ourselves, strike up conversations and participate in local communities.

At St. John’s and St. Ben’s, simple but intentional practices helped foster community. Events like hot bread nights—where dorm neighbors gathered to share fresh Johnnie bread—created natural opportunities to connect. Campus features such as large dining tables encouraged students to eat together and build relationships. The nuns and monks also embody community building through their vows to live in religious communities. Of course, like all people, they have preferences, disagreements and moments of frustration with one another. These very human experiences are part of what it means to live in authentic community, whether religious or secular.

Our world faces serious challenges today. Violence, division, loneliness and hatred dominate headlines and social media feeds. I am deeply grateful that St. John’s and St. Ben’s modeled obsculta and community building, because I believe these values can help heal some of the wounds our society is experiencing. While I am not an expert listener or community builder, these are practices I continue to cultivate. I encourage readers to reflect on how they have experienced obsculta and community in their own lives, and to ask themselves what they can do today to continue nurturing these values. The world desperately needs people who are willing to listen deeply and build authentic community so that healing can begin.