Downtown Monks: A Benedictine Journey in the City

by Albert Holtz O.S.B.

Overview

Downtown Monks tells the story of the challenges facing a community of Benedictine monks in their ministry of running a boys’ school amid the gritty realities of inner-city life in Newark, New Jersey. Father Holtz’s story remains an inspiration for readers and also serves as a model for
Christian living and discernment using Benedictine disciplines.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780819227805
Publisher:	Church Publishing, Incorporated
Publication date:	09/01/2012
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 5.50(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Albert Holtz, O.S.B., is a Benedictine monk of Newark Abbey, Newark, New Jersey, working in the monastery's inner-city prep school, where he teaches New Testament. He has served as master of novices for 25 years and as a retreat master for Benedictine communities around the United States. He is the author of Downtown Monks, From Holidays to Holy Days, and Walking in Valleys of Darkness.He lives in Newark, New Jersey.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition ix

Introduction to the First Edition xi

1 Searching Where you are 1

Stability: Father Celestine 2

The Waymaker: Graduation 7

Hospitality: First Day of School 14

Getting It Right: Brother Denis 19

The Peaceable Kingdom: William 24

2 Searching in the Everyday 31

The God of Today: Crow Talk 32

The God of the Real: Vibram Sole People 37

The God of Forgiveness: The IBM Selectric 42

The God of Oneness: Stokes State Forest 48

The God of Faithfulness: The Dogwood 54

3 Searching With the Neighbors 61

Letting Go: Welfare Mom 62

Generosity: Maritza 66

The Power of the Word: John 71

Passion: Gospel Singer 76

Humility: Ice Man 81

4 Searching in Prayer 87

Waiting With the City: Vigils 88

Singing Your Troubles: Convocation 94

Near the Cross: Good Friday 99

Dropping Your Shield: The Honor Code 104

Spontaneity: Mary's Dance 109

5 Searching in the Common Life 117

The Courage to Belong: The Soccer Game 118

The Cloud of Witnesses: Solemn Vows 123

Peace Under Pressure: The French Quiz 129

Closing the Distance: Hale-Bopp 134

All Together: Freshman Backpacking 139

6 The End of the journey 145

Hope: Advent on Market Street 146

Diminishment: Chuck Taylors 151

Traveling Light: The Appalachian Trail 156

The Banquet Guest: Otis 162

The New Jerusalem: Easter Vigil 168

Epilogue 175

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“The Downtown Monks will win your heart. There can be no question about that; for Holtz’s telling of their story is nothing less than a delicious, but deadly serious, saga of Jesus’ men at work in the city today and among us . . . all of which means that these monks will feed your hope, nourish your belief in goodness, and delight your mind all at the same time and all in one set of covers.”
—Phyllis Tickle, Compiler, The Divine Hours

“Weaving a rich tapestry of description and reflection Fr. Albert invites us to look at life with new eyes to discover the deeper meaning that is present every day. Using engaging descriptions of his own experiences along with scripture passages and thought-provoking questions for reflection, Fr. Albert offers a model for living more deeply into the presence of God as we plumb for the spiritual meaning of everyday living.”
—The Rev. Dr. Jane Tomaine, author of St. Benedict’s Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living

Editorial Reviews

The Downtown Monks will win your heart. There can be no question about that; for Holtz’s telling of their story is nothing less than a delicious, but deadly serious, saga of Jesus’ men at work in the city today and among us . . . all of which means that these monks will feed your hope, nourish your belief in goodness, and delight your mind all at the same time and all in one set of covers.”
—Phyllis Tickle, Compiler, The Divine Hours

“Weaving a rich tapestry of description and reflection Fr. Albert invites us to look at life with new eyes to discover the deeper meaning that is present every day. Using engaging descriptions of his own experiences along with scripture passages and thought-provoking questions for reflection, Fr. Albert offers a model for living more deeply into the presence of God as we plumb for the spiritual meaning of everyday living.”
—The Rev. Dr. Jane Tomaine, author of St. Benedict’s Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living

From the Publisher