St. Benedict 
St. Bernard
We have all read and meditated upon profound thoughts which
have deepened our spiritual lives. Here are some that have influenced LCA members.
"Come to me you who are heavy laden, I will give you rest" Matt:11:28
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice. Everyone should see how unselfish you are. The Lord is near. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds and present your needs to God in every form of prayer and petition full of gratitude. Then God's own peace, which is beyond all human understanding will stand guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" Phil 4:4-7
The voice speaks up; it makes itself heard; it does not cease to knock on everyone's door (Rv. 3:20) . . . He is still with us. He still speaks, even if no one listens." (Bernard of Clairvaux Selected Works, "On Conversion", p.67-68)
It is a great good to seek God; I think nothing comes before it among the good things the soul may enjoy. . . . I think that even when it has found him the soul will not cease to seek him. God is sought not on foot but by desire. And the happy discovery of what is desired does not end desire but extends it. . . .Rather it is oil poured on flames, which itself catches fire." (Bernard of Clairvaux Selected Works, "Sermons, p. 274.
a secular community following Cistercian spirituality
with
provisional affiliation through the Abbey
of the Holy Spirit
Welcome
WELCOME
to the site of the Lay Contemplative Associates (LCA). This site is for anyone
seeking to learn more about the lay Cistercian charism and in particular how that
charism is brought to life within the Lay Contemplative Associates' community
of faith. The Lay
Contemplative Associates is a fellowship of men and women of diverse backgrounds
united by their love of God and their response to God’s call. That loving response
is characterized by communion (koinonia), self-emptying (kenosis),
service (diakonia) and transformation
(metanoia). It is Christ-centered and
in harmony with the Cistercian tradition. That tradition is lived out in the life
contexts in which each member finds himself or herself, through fidelity to the
Gospels and the Rule of St. Benedict, as expressed through this Way of Life.
| Welcome |
| History |
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| Publications
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| Members |
| Rule of St. Benedict |
| Suggested Reading |
| Pictures Retreat Abbey of the Genesee 9/2008 |
| Documents |