Sowing Seeds of St. Benedict

by Michael Trent Thompson

Special to the Messenger

From August of 2013 until the end of this month, two young adults —interns of the Organic Prayer Project—have been providing “radical hospitality” in every sense of the phrase. 

From the weekly Tuesday night dinners that they prepare by hand with local and organic produce to their weekly volunteer work at the convent of the Sisters of the Community of St. Mary and with the University Farm; to their efforts in forming a partnership between Thistle Farms and the convent, Eileen Schaeffer and Nathan Bourne (both graduates of the College) have been living their lives in a form of ora et labora (prayer and work) in an intentional community. Not one wrought with theory, but one in practice, formed as Thomas Merton described, with “active contemplation.” 

In addition to their significant year of volunteer efforts, and their radical hospitality dinners (that have included many from the local community, as well as the University), these two have been examples of living an intentional life. Indeed they have lived a Benedictine way of life under the guidance of the Sisters of St. Mary’s. 

From these “two seeds,” others are following their example. Two summer interns who have been “cultivated” by Eileen and Nathan will be spending this summer living at the convent and participating in the gardens and prayer life. Two more Sewanee students who are scheduled to graduate this May are considering carrying on the work Eileen and Nathan have started, which is based at and managed by the Sisters. Perhaps their example has captured some imaginations.

The combination of the agrarian life they have shared in, as well as the monastic way of life they have participated in, shows the community perhaps what “new monasticism/agrarianism” really is: a new way of expressing an ancient way of living. They have learned to read scripture, literature and nature in sacred manner, while being formed and tethered to an ancient order and living community of Benedictines. They have become fruit of a sacramental, organic, intentional life. 

Nathan is on his way to divinity school and Eileen on her way to study permaculture. Both have touched many here in Sewanee, and we are all better and grateful for their example, indeed for their lives. They will continue to sow seeds of St. Benedict wherever they go and take a little Sewanee with them, as well. Their lives have become a prayer for all of us to encounter. “Be Thankful and repay growth with good work and care. Work done in gratitude, kindly, and well, is prayer.” – Wendell Berry, “The Farm.”

Godspeed to you both.

Thompson is the director of the Organic Prayer Project.