Offering “the first-fruits“ when rising in the morning with St Francis de Sales and St John Cassian
“One who fears the Lord will accept his discipline; those who get up early will win his favour.“ Ecclesiasticus 31: 14 “Thou…
Saint John Cassian
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 8: Abba Chaeremon on the pathway to chastity
“Lord, father and God of my life, do not let my eyes be proud; turn envy away from me, do not let…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 7: Abba Isaac on persistence in prayer
“Do not lose heart at prayer; do not neglect to give alms.“ Ecclesiasticus (Jesus ben Sirach) 7: 10 “Various factors which may…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 6: Abba Serenus and Abba Isaac on the power of the Sacrament of all sacraments
“Do not refuse yourself the good things of each day, do not let your share of what is lawfully desired pass you…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 5: Abba Theodore on being “ambidextrous“ like Ehud and on why we should always “desire to advance“
“Blessed is one who discovers Wisdom, one who acquires discernment! She is more rewarding than silver, her yield is more valuable than…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 4: Abba Sarapion on eight principal vices
“(…) don’t start a war without wise advice.“ “A sage can scale a garrisoned city and shutter the rampart on which it…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 3: Abba Daniel on Judges 3: 1-4
“One who walks with the wise becomes wise, one who mixes with fools is fooled.“ “Better gain wisdom than gold, choose understanding…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 2: Abba Paphnutius on the beauty of a soul filled with virtue
“Is not Wisdom calling? Is not Understanding raising her voice? On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossways, she takes her…
Spiritual advice from the Desert Fathers (as reported by Saint John Cassian) no. 1: Abba Moses the Ethiopian on the gift of discretion and on moderate fasting
Having had the pleasure recently, on the 4th February, to visit the Abbey of Saint Victor in Marseille, which was founded by…