Apologies for the recent hiatus…
About 7 years ago, I began a Master’s dissertation on ‘Intentional Communities’, with Madge Karecki (UNISA) as supervisor. It ran out of steam partly because I had so little to go on by way of local examples.
In view of the seemingly renewed interest in modern monasticism, I’m giving it another shot this year – this time with Philippe Denis (UKZN) as my guide.
Prof Denis is a church historian with a particular interest in oral history. He’s also a Dominican, and so brings with him (like Karecki) a heritage of Catholic monasticism.
The (rather unoriginal) working title is ‘The New Monastic Movement in South Africa’. It might be interesting to blog my progress as it happens.
I’d really appreciate input on any aspect of the project, so don’t be shy to comment!
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8 August 2007 at 9:14 am
Steve
Good luck with the project. I’m looking forward to see how it develops.
Are you still in the transkei?
27 September 2007 at 9:41 am
Nic Paton
Hi Carl
Just come across you at Emergent Africa, and had a quick scour of your own blog. How are your studies etc going?
My interest is not really monastic, but has to do with mysticism and emergence. I am reading “How (not) to speak of God” by Peter Rollins at the moment, and have had a fair look into his group IKON. Also got hold of their CD, Dubh, which is interesting.
I create / curate Liturgy, mostly in an urban context, and so there is a link with the monastic.
Additionally I have recently ready Matthew Fox’s Original Blessing (he is an excommunicated Dominican) and wondered whether you know of his Creation Spitituality.
Last one – had a chance about 6 months back to visit Sediba in Hartebeespoort – very inspiring.
27 September 2007 at 4:31 pm
Carl
Just returned from an interesting trip to Gauteng, where I met with some folk who have similar interests to you – including one Steve Hayes. Chatted with a Richard Garton who also recommended Rollins. I haven’t read Fox.
Tell me about Sediba… I believe there is an Orthodox monastery near Hartebeespoort.
28 September 2007 at 11:15 am
Nic Paton
I’m familiar with Steve. Being Orthodox, he generally feels that his tradition fufills his needs.
I’m looking at a different take on Liturgy, its using a lot out of the current culture (electronic media etc), and involves Community, Creativity and the Sacred.
I highly recommend Matthew Fox, especially his Original Blessing. Coming from a Charismatic background it reads as heretical initially but then starts to make a lot of sense.
Sediba is Catholic, and is dedicated to Interfaith dialog. There is a great usage of Buddhist (Zen assembly hall) and Medieval buildings (labrynth), as well as African – the main chapel is a rondawel.
Its architecturally very interesting, laid out east-west. Everything is intentional, and highly symbolic.
8 November 2007 at 11:14 am
Roger Saner
I’ll also put in a plug for Sediba…just don’t know how long it’ll be around for, because there’s huge building in the area. It has one of the coolest prayer spaces I’ve seen in the country…the rondawel, as Nic mentioned.