Words from the Desert

Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Christianity
  • Series

A conversation between a few Benedictine monks on the Desert Fathers, their lives, and their writings. The monks read through passages in the writings of the Desert Fathers and, drawing upon their experiences and learning in the monastery, discuss them in order to hand on the wisdom of the Fathers. Whatever walk of life you find yourself in, this down-to-earth and simple wisdom is an ever-ancient and ever-new guide to well-being and holiness. 

  1. Episode 1

    Ep. 1: Abba Anthony's first sayings

    In our pilot episode, the brothers explore the first few sayings of Abba Anthony that cover various topics in the spiritual life, especially some rudimentary steps in humility, fear of God, and spiritual combat.

  2. Episode 2

    Ep. 2: Abba Anthony tells us to get some rest

    In this episode, the brothers continue studying the sayings of Abba Anthony that cover various some of the same topics as the previous episode, but focus especially on humility, fraternal charity, and even the importance of rest in the spiritual life.

  3. Episode 3

    Ep. 3: Abba Anthony learns a lesson

    In this episode, the brothers spend their time, by accident, on a single saying that they find extremely rich. The irony is that the saying is on silence, and the brothers seem to have a lot to say about it...

  4. Episode 4

    Ep. 4: "Ask your father and he will tell you"

    In this episode, the brothers focus on a couple of sayings of Abba Anthony that have to do with the strength of our fathers in the faith, and how we often can seem so weak. But don't despair! In our weakness God comes to our aid. So, at the same time, they consider how the great lesson that our fathers have to teach us is truly the mercy of God.

  5. Episode 5

    Ep. 5: Power over wild beasts

    In this episode the brothers start off by considering the forging of virtues, and then move on to tackle one of the "hard" or "strange" sayings of Abba Anthony in order to give you an idea of what to do when you come across one of the sayings that is just plainly weird. With that, they finish up the sayings of Abba Anthony and move on to those of Abba Arsenius, again bringing to mind how our actions are directed towards the end of union with God. Here they discuss how all people are able to flee the world and be alone with God.

  6. Episode 6

    Ep. 6: On New Beginnings

    In this episode, the brothers discuss a prayer that Abba Arsenius makes about new beginnings. So many moments throughout the year and throughout one's life allow us the opportunity to start anew, and with each new beginning we should always have recourse through prayer to the Author of all beginnings.

  7. Episode 7

    Ep. 7: Figs, Fellowship, and Fasting

    In this episode, the abbas discuss the importance of communion among brothers in the desert (and in the family) and how little things can go a long way to either creating or harming fellowship. After this, they tackle a saying that continues the theme of discretion in penitential practices, or any devout practices for that matter. Abba Arsenius shows that it is often too easy to take up a pious practice in one area and then, on account of the hardship experienced, compensate in another area in potentially harmful ways.

  8. Episode 8

    Ep. 8: Compunction

    The brothers finish off Abba Arsenius in this episode with three final sayings. They begin by talking about the role of prayer at night time and its fruitfulness in the spiritual life, and then go on to discuss a saying that touches on the topic of rash judgment. This takes them into a protracted conversation about compunction of heart, what it is, and how important it is for anyone who desires to grow in virtue.

See All Season 1 (20)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

A conversation between a few Benedictine monks on the Desert Fathers, their lives, and their writings. The monks read through passages in the writings of the Desert Fathers and, drawing upon their experiences and learning in the monastery, discuss them in order to hand on the wisdom of the Fathers. Whatever walk of life you find yourself in, this down-to-earth and simple wisdom is an ever-ancient and ever-new guide to well-being and holiness. 

Information

  • Creator
    Monastery of Our Lady of the Cenacle
  • Episodes
    20
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Words from the Desert