The Art of Winning Souls

In this chapter on the procedure for the reception of new brothers, Saint Benedict makes provision for entrusting them to the care of "a senior who is skilled in winning souls who will diligently pay attention to them in everything" (58.6). In The Art of Winning Souls: Pastoral Care of Novices, Michael Casey reflects on what this means today, based on his own experience and observation of the fruitful ministry of others.

Michael Casey, ocso, has been a monk of Tarrawarra Abbey, Australia, since 1960. After completing a degree in Scripture at Leuven, he received his doctorate from Melbourne College of Divinity for a study of desire for God in the writings of Bernard of Clairvaux. For the past decades he has been engaged in exploring different aspects of monastic spirituality, writing, and giving conferences throughout the English-speaking monastic world. His books include Strangers to the City: Reflections on the Beliefs and Values of the Rule of Saint Benedict (Paraclete Press, 2005) and The Road to Eternal Life: Reflections on the Prologue of Saint Benedict's Rule (Liturgical Press, 2011).