3rd International CIB Symposium, Rome 1998

The 120 participants of this 3rd international Symposium from September 5 – 12, came to Rome from 36 different countries from Australia to Vietnam. The theme this time was “The experience of God and the Benedictine approach to prayer.” Both terms: “experience of God” and “prayer” express a deep desire which characterises people of today. The Benedictine approach to the “indescribable land of the experience of God” — that became apparent — is more a road of mundane steps in faith rather than a path into the exceptional. This spiritual tradition puts the emphasis on Lectio Divina, Liturgy, alternation of work and prayer, belief in the presence and guidance of God.  It is important to put these steps into practise, to live with full awareness and to share one’s experiences in whatever way the context allows.

The 120 participants of this 3rd international Symposium from September 5 – 12, came to Rome from 36 different countries from Australia to Vietnam. The theme this time was “The experience of God and the Benedictine approach to prayer.” Both terms: “experience of God” and “prayer” express a deep desire which characterises people of today. The Benedictine approach to the “indescribable land of the experience of God” — that became apparent — is more a road of mundane steps in faith rather than a path into the exceptional. This spiritual tradition puts the emphasis on Lectio Divina, Liturgy, alternation of work and prayer, belief in the presence and guidance of God.  It is important to put these steps into practise, to live with full awareness and to share one’s experiences in whatever way the context allows.

After the Symposium the delegates from the 19 regions had a meeting at which they decided to meet every year.