As a young Orthodox Christian committed to ecumenical dialogue, I recently took a weekend-long spiritual retreat at the Benedictine Monastery of Chevetogne in Belgium—a place where unity in diversity is not just a theological concept but a lived reality.
While Chevetogne belongs to the order of the Benedictines, both the Rites of Eastern and Western Christianity are practised. The monks serve in the rite which they have chosen to practice, some serving in the Latin Church, others in the Byzantine Church, as well as wearing distinct monastic habits according to the rite to which they adhere. This does not divide the brotherhood, however, as they assemble together, united in brotherly love and prayer, at the refectory for lunch and dinner. This experience of Christian unity in diversity on the physical table of the refectory was transferred to the mystical table of the Lord on Sunday morning, as the entire brotherhood and faithful of both rites gathered in the Byzantine Church for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Here, all the Catholics present partook of the Eucharist.
The hospitality of the fathers, hosting me in the quarters of the monastery and allowing me to dine in the refectory with them, enabled me to engage in conversation with the monks, including the Abbot of the monastery Fr Lambert. This was truly a unique and unforgettable experience.
My ecumenical experience at the monastery of Chevetogne has enabled me to understand more deeply the real possibility of unity between the various Christian churches and communities, while adhering to their own liturgical practices and external appearances. The Monastery of Chevetogne serves as a blueprint for this. Here, Christians living in a tight-knit community do not have to conform to uniformity in practice and appearance to live in Christian unity. This unity was most poignant during the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist.
A retreat to Chevetogne offers a profound opportunity to witness and reflect on the real possibility of unity among churches not yet in full communion. I believe that greater awareness of such models can inspire deeper ecumenical engagement across our country and beyond.
Find out about The Bill Snelson Young Ecumenists Fund and read about the experience of other grant awardees.
Photo: Chevetogne Monastery. Credit: Alexander Hrabak