Fifty years ago, scholarly writer declared: "Protestantism rejects monasticism on principle . . ." This was based on the teaching of Luther and other Reformers. In 1990 the Synod of the Protestant Church in Germany declared "gratitude to the religious communities of women and of men for their witness before the entire Church. They provide space for people who are enquiring, or searching, or are burdened. May they continue to give loyal service to the Church by their prayers
A sad taboo has been broken by the splendid renaissance of religious life in the Protestant Churches. Centres of prayer and healing and renewal are springing up. In silence and in peace, our strength can be renewed. Worship, plainsong, good liturgy, space and stillness provide solace for body, mind and heart.
All of us can drink from ancient and unsullied wells. We come to a deep heart. Even in our tortured and fragmented lives, God can be exalted. We may have fled Him down the nights and down the days. Now comes the saving voice: "All things betray thee, who betrayest Me . . .!" Countless seekers have cried out in gratitude: "Here is longed for peace . . .!"
In recent days, four Protestant religious sisters opened a foundation at Luther's own Augustinian priory of Erfurt in Germany. After 450 years of Protestant oblivion of religious life, the Sisters come to serve God and His people. These Sisters belong to the much-loved "Casteller Ring Community". Church leaders and parishes fully accept the Biblical legitimacy of vowed religious life, both for women and for men, and their valued contribution to the spiritual life of the nation.
The German theologian, Johannes Halkenhauser, describes the joyful arrival of the Protestant Sisters and the inspiring ceremony in the crowded Church. "The town was united in celebration, in gratitude, and in prayer. Bells rang out in joy. Women and men thronged the beautiful 850-year-old church for the 2 1/2-hour ceremony as laity and clergy, politicians, scholars, students and people of all walk's of life joined in fervent welcome . . ." (Religious Life Review, editor, Austin Flannery OP).
Erfurt is but one of many such foundations of religious life within the Protestant tradition. We recall with joy Taize and other well-springs of lifegiving hope and prayer.
The cathedral provost (Joachim Jaeger) formally welcomed the sisters and praised their courage and their life-style, which reminded all that nothing is greater than the love of God. Their example could help to save us from self-centred materialism and all-prevailing atheism. The Sisters would be a spiritual resource for all the people. "God must wish us well to have given us such a wonderful sign which reminds us of the unity of His people.
Community signing was enriched by a splendid gospel choir of young people, and by sacred music from organ and flute. The sisters knelt at the high altar and were blessed by the cathedral provost. The deputy mayor reminded all that the spirituality of the sisters was Benedictine, akin to that of the Erfurt monastery founded in 836. Each sister received a silver medal of Martin Luther.
One scholar reminded the gathering that David Hume, the Scottish philosopher, had remarked that monastic life had nothing to offer to human development. Is not this disproved by another Hume, a Benedictine monk, of our day who guides us towards a civilisation of love?
May God, who has even now sown the good seed, bring a full and blessed harvest for the good of all. Cardinal Newman sounds a note of springtime hope in this healing Lent.
. . . Let us but raise the level of religion in our hearts and it will rise in the world.
Those who attempt to set up God's kingdom in their hearts further it in the world.
Those whose prayers come up for a memorial before God,
Open the windows of heaven, and the foundations of the great deep,
And all the waters rise.