Illness and monasticism

[Baroness]

Hello dear friends,

I wasn't really sure where to post this, so decided to post this query here. It's more of a practical question, which came to mind after just reading someone elses post, and also my own thoughts.

If one enters a monastery, whether it's male or female, and has - or in the future may have - an illness of some kind, how does the monk / nun manage? I mean, how do you do your obediences? Or what about prostrations and prayer? Any thoughts on this?

Pray for me.
Joy in Christ!
Baroness

[Nick S.]

It is my understanding that the illness takes the place of ascesis if it makes you unable to do your obediences. That is why if you are very ill, you are not required to fast as someone who isn't ill.

[Baroness]

Thank you Nick, for your post. But how would one deal with these things mentally too, say for example: a person really wanted to do 50 prostrations when saying the "Jesus" prayer out of love for God, but is ill. They think they have enough strength to do the 50 prostrations, so do them, but the next day are worse off in health. See, the heart was willing, but the body is weak. What happens then? That's why I ask, how would a monastic deal with this?

[Fr Seraphim (Black)]

Dear Baroness,

Nick has provided the real monastic answer to this question of yours. Your concern is understandable, but depending on the degree of illness, one's Spiritual Father/Mother will provide the solution.

To be specific: any thoughts about prostrations would or would not be disobedience, depending on the word of one's Spiritual Mother/Father.

This can allow God's grace to grant a very deep peace to a monastic heart.
This is true not only for monastics, but lay persons as well.

On a personal note, there have been times when monastically speaking, I have been convinced within myself that I am of no value to the monastery. But allowing these thoughts to prosper will lead to severe temptation.

The true monastic will hold the word of one's Spiritual Father/Mother as a word proceeding from Christ Himself.

[Baroness]

Thank you. Glory to God.

Please pray for me.
Baroness