Wednesday 5 July 2023

Saint Corentin

Gallicenae, VII, 3.

When Gratillonius rides out of Aquilo, he adds to our list of hovering birds of prey:

"...a falcon afar." (p. 144)

Gratillonius is an overnight guest in the tiny, cylindrical, conically thatched, wicker and clay hut of the hermit, Corentinus, who eats only once a day except when fasting although, on this occasion, he does eat a little extra but only to keep his guest company. 

This reminds us of Reverend Peter of Rochdale Zen Retreat who rises at an unGodly hour, 5:00 AM, I think, meditates for two hours before breakfast and, in the Indian tradition, usually eats nothing after lunch. On the evening of the fortieth anniversary of our meditation group, Peter accompanied us to a pizza restaurant where, without glancing at the menu, he ate the pizza with the simplest topping and no sweet course although some members of the lay Sangha indulged in cheese cake with ice cream.

Nicholas van Rijn praises God by savouring the best food and wine.

"Wisdom is justified by all her children." (Luke 7:35)

And Poul Anderson shows us every kind of character.

Addendum: Also, in SM Stirling's Emberverse series, a Christian monk ate bread and drank water while his companions feasted.

6 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

And I recall how the Bishop-Abbot of Mount Angel, in the Emberverse, told two young friends of how both his confessor and physician commanded him to eat a reasonable amount per day. Because asceticism can become such a strong habit that it can damage one's health.

Ad astra! Sean

paulshackley2017@gmail.com said...

Sean,

The Buddha is said to have practised extreme austerity, then realized that it was not the Way. Strong will-power is needed for self-starvation bot bodily health is needed for relaxed contemplation and awareness.

Paul.

S.M. Stirling said...

Paul: It's not the Middle Way for nothing... 8-).

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

I would need to check, but I think Pope Honorius III (r. 1216-27) made the Rules of the Dominicans, Franciscans, and Carmelites less austure, because of being too ascetic.

Ad astra! Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

Abbot Dmowski also points out that a mild and disciplined asceticism is actually more comfortable than a 'surfeit of luxuries, which are a mere vexation to the soul'. And hence it can be a temptation too!

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Mr. Stirling!

And I agree with the Abbot-Bishop! And I think Sir Nigel Loring said something very similar at Mt. Angel.

Ad astra! Sean