"The wisdom of the Desert Mothers can help strengthen your personal prayer life and ultimately, your personal ministry in this world.
Like the message of Jesus, the women elders from the early days of Christianity offer you their treasury of wise Sayings and true-life parables.
Let us give St. Mary of Egypt the last word. She is remembered praying in the desert: “Now, therefore, lead me, where ever you please, Lord; lead me to salvation, teach me what is true, and go before me in the way of repentance.” (David G.B. Keller, Desert Banquet [2011], 187)
If you wish to know more about the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers, please click in the link below;
Mother Syncletica coached all her followers to: “Constantly clean out the soul. Smoke out the poison and vermin of sinful thoughts with the divine incense of prayer” (Matericon, 66).
If you wish to know more about the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers, please click in the link below;
They left the rush of crowded days, the markets loud and wide, And journeyed to the desert’s hush where God alone would guide. The early mothers, strong in grace, in silence made their home, Where hearts grew vast in hidden prayer, though outward lives seemed lone.
In caves of dust and burning sun, in cells both bare and small, They learned to hear the still, soft Voice that gently speaks to all. Through fasting deep and vigils long, through tears both pure and wise, They fixed their gaze on Christ alone, their treasure and their prize.
The Ammas spoke with quiet strength, their counsel clear and true, To souls who sought the narrow path and longed their God to view. Their words, like wells in desert lands, still draw the thirsty near, A living stream of holy truth that echoes year by year.
They call to us within our hearts, beyond the world’s loud claim: “Become a desert in your soul, and kindle there His flame. Be anchorites in secret depths, though streets around you roar, Hold fast the Word in silent faith, and seek His Face the more.”
For we who walk the marketplace, with hurried steps and eyes, Are summoned to that inward place where deeper treasure lies. To live the wisdom that they gave, with steadfast hearts made whole, And carry Christ, the Living Word, to every seeking soul.
O mothers of the ancient way, your witness still remains, A lamp within our modern night, a balm for hidden pains. Teach us to dwell with God within, though outward paths we roam - Till every heart, made still in Him, becomes His desert home.
Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Prayerful devotion in a desert cave"
Amma Theodora said: “Never forget that in a life of intense prayer, God becomes your defence in all the virtues. When needed, the mighty Lord will come to your defence, fully armed” (Matericon: Instructions of Abba Isaiah to the Honourable Nun Theodora [2001], 72)
If you wish to know more about the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers, please click in the link below;
They left the rush of crowded days, the markets loud and wide, And journeyed to the desert’s hush where God alone would guide. The early mothers, strong in grace, in silence made their home, Where hearts grew vast in hidden prayer, though outward lives seemed lone.
In caves of dust and burning sun, in cells both bare and small, They learned to hear the still, soft Voice that gently speaks to all. Through fasting deep and vigils long, through tears both pure and wise, They fixed their gaze on Christ alone, their treasure and their prize.
The Ammas spoke with quiet strength, their counsel clear and true, To souls who sought the narrow path and longed their God to view. Their words, like wells in desert lands, still draw the thirsty near, A living stream of holy truth that echoes year by year.
They call to us within our hearts, beyond the world’s loud claim: “Become a desert in your soul, and kindle there His flame. Be anchorites in secret depths, though streets around you roar, Hold fast the Word in silent faith, and seek His Face the more.”
For we who walk the marketplace, with hurried steps and eyes, Are summoned to that inward place where deeper treasure lies. To live the wisdom that they gave, with steadfast hearts made whole, And carry Christ, the Living Word, to every seeking soul.
O mothers of the ancient way, your witness still remains, A lamp within our modern night, a balm for hidden pains. Teach us to dwell with God within, though outward paths we roam - Till every heart, made still in Him, becomes His desert home.
“Raise your hands in prayer, my Sisters,” Mother Theodora said, “and beg God that, when it is your time, your soul and the souls of those dear to you, may pass by safely all the evil in the world impeding their way to Heaven” (Matericon: Instructions of Abba Isaiah to the Honorable Nun Theodora [2001], 68).
In the spirit of the Desert Mothers, strive to be a spiritual person of the highest good.
If you wish to know more about the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers, please click in the link below;
They left the rush of crowded days, the markets loud and wide, And journeyed to the desert’s hush where God alone would guide. The early mothers, strong in grace, in silence made their home, Where hearts grew vast in hidden prayer, though outward lives seemed lone.
In caves of dust and burning sun, in cells both bare and small, They learned to hear the still, soft Voice that gently speaks to all. Through fasting deep and vigils long, through tears both pure and wise, They fixed their gaze on Christ alone, their treasure and their prize.
The Ammas spoke with quiet strength, their counsel clear and true, To souls who sought the narrow path and longed their God to view. Their words, like wells in desert lands, still draw the thirsty near, A living stream of holy truth that echoes year by year.
They call to us within our hearts, beyond the world’s loud claim: “Become a desert in your soul, and kindle there His flame. Be anchorites in secret depths, though streets around you roar, Hold fast the Word in silent faith, and seek His Face the more.”
For we who walk the marketplace, with hurried steps and eyes, Are summoned to that inward place where deeper treasure lies. To live the wisdom that they gave, with steadfast hearts made whole, And carry Christ, the Living Word, to every seeking soul.
O mothers of the ancient way, your witness still remains, A lamp within our modern night, a balm for hidden pains. Teach us to dwell with God within, though outward paths we roam - Till every heart, made still in Him, becomes His desert home.
Mother Theodora said: “This present age is a storm, and it is only through many trials and temptations that we can obtain an inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Theodora, 2).
This Desert Mother was thought to be the widow of a fourth-century Roman Prefect of Egypt in Alexandria. Mother Theodora followed her faith in Jesus Christ into the desert.
She is celebrated for having been a trusted colleague of her Bishop, Theophilus. Mother Theodora was often consulted about the living out of monastic life. Theodora is venerated as a saint on her feastday, September 11.
Desert Mothers pursued personal spiritual holiness, and were committed to a deep sense of justice and service to the Christian community; for the love of their neighbour.
If you wish to know more about the Desert Fathers and Desert Mothers, please click in the link below;
They left the rush of crowded days, the markets loud and wide, And journeyed to the desert’s hush where God alone would guide. The early mothers, strong in grace, in silence made their home, Where hearts grew vast in hidden prayer, though outward lives seemed lone.
In caves of dust and burning sun, in cells both bare and small, They learned to hear the still, soft Voice that gently speaks to all. Through fasting deep and vigils long, through tears both pure and wise, They fixed their gaze on Christ alone, their treasure and their prize.
The Ammas spoke with quiet strength, their counsel clear and true, To souls who sought the narrow path and longed their God to view. Their words, like wells in desert lands, still draw the thirsty near, A living stream of holy truth that echoes year by year.
They call to us within our hearts, beyond the world’s loud claim: “Become a desert in your soul, and kindle there His flame. Be anchorites in secret depths, though streets around you roar, Hold fast the Word in silent faith, and seek His Face the more.”
For we who walk the marketplace, with hurried steps and eyes, Are summoned to that inward place where deeper treasure lies. To live the wisdom that they gave, with steadfast hearts made whole, And carry Christ, the Living Word, to every seeking soul.
O mothers of the ancient way, your witness still remains, A lamp within our modern night, a balm for hidden pains. Teach us to dwell with God within, though outward paths we roam - Till every heart, made still in Him, becomes His desert home.
They left the rush of crowded days, the markets loud and wide, And journeyed to the desert’s hush where God alone would guide. The early mothers, strong in grace, in silence made their home, Where hearts grew vast in hidden prayer, though outward lives seemed lone.
In caves of dust and burning sun, in cells both bare and small, They learned to hear the still, soft Voice that gently speaks to all. Through fasting deep and vigils long, through tears both pure and wise, They fixed their gaze on Christ alone, their treasure and their prize.
The Ammas spoke with quiet strength, their counsel clear and true, To souls who sought the narrow path and longed their God to view. Their words, like wells in desert lands, still draw the thirsty near, A living stream of holy truth that echoes year by year.
They call to us within our hearts, beyond the world’s loud claim: “Become a desert in your soul, and kindle there His flame. Be anchorites in secret depths, though streets around you roar, Hold fast the Word in silent faith, and seek His Face the more.”
For we who walk the marketplace, with hurried steps and eyes, Are summoned to that inward place where deeper treasure lies. To live the wisdom that they gave, with steadfast hearts made whole, And carry Christ, the Living Word, to every seeking soul.
O mothers of the ancient way, your witness still remains, A lamp within our modern night, a balm for hidden pains. Teach us to dwell with God within, though outward paths we roam - Till every heart, made still in Him, becomes His desert home.
Lord Jesus raised his dear trusted friend Lazarus, from the dead. The Saviour called Lazarus from death's underworld back to life. All who saw the miracle marvelled. We, too, shall be called to eternal life after our earthly passing; have no fear.
Yet after the resurrection, Lazarus had to learn to live again; to deal with the little things. Lazarus' experiences after death made earthly life so different now for the newly-raised. The calling by the Great Voice back to life was such mystery. Sheer amazement had overcome the crowds who witnessed the resurrection. Lazarus had experienced - in the deepest way - just how great God is throughout our lives.
Let us not spiritually die within our hearts. May we always allow God's Holy Will to reign supreme in our lives. Safe in the harbour of God's Love, let us have joy in every day. May we enjoy earthly world's charm without sin.
Called by the Voice
Jesus Christ called His friend by name that day, Lazarus rose as death was turned away; From shadowed depths, from silent night, He stepped again into the light.
The crowd stood still in trembling awe, At what their very eyes then saw; The grave undone, its hold released, By Him Who is the Life and Priest.
So too shall we, when life has passed, Be called to rise at last, at last; No need for fear, nor dark despair, For Christ Himself shall meet us there.
Yet Lazarus, restored to breath, Had walked the hidden halls of death; And life anew he learned to live, Each simple act a gift to give.
The sunlight warm, the voices near, All changed by what he’d known so clear; The echo of that mighty call, Still stirred his heart beyond it all.
O mystery deep, O wonder bright, That Love can conquer death’s long night; How great is God, through all our days, Worthy of endless song and praise.
Then let us not within hearts die, Nor let the soul in silence lie; But let God’s holy Will take part, And dwell alive in every heart.
With joy embrace each given day, Walk gently in the rightful way; Delight in beauty, pure within - The world’s fair charm, untouched by sin.
