Brother, do not expect to witness a general renewal – in Christianity, among priests, in religious orders – that would be unanimously welcomed and enthusiastically implemented. Will you therefore fold your hands and wait idly? Live your monastic life even amidst the general decline. (…)
We live in a time when it is necessary to lead a contemplative life not to teach it and pass it on, but because it is our calling. You will probably not encounter sincere followers, young people full of enthusiasm and eagerness to learn… let us be all the deeper and more demanding on ourselves. Gather in your mind and in your heart, put into practice all the values of the gospel and the holy Rule… For the sake of keeping them alive in at least one heart, yours, despite all obstacles. (…)
In the coming years, you will often say to yourself: “But there are not just average people around me! The misery is not as great as it seemed. If the Lord wanted, everything could start anew!” Brother, this will likely be an accurate observation. However, let human time pass, and patiently wait for God's time. Without sadness, without astonishment. One thing is certain: God's time always comes after the time for everything else has expired.
(Father Jerome /1907–1985/, monk of the Trappist monastery in Sept-Fons,
letter to a fellow brother, March 17, 1977)
