19 March 1980

Abstract

Examination of conscience in the practice of direction (continued). Its late appearance in Christianity, in the fourth century; a phenomenon linked to the spread of the monastic institution. ~ The problem of the relations between salvation and perfection. The double Christian reply: penance (system of salvation in non-perfection) and monasticism (search for perfection in a system of salvation). ~ Monasticism as philosophical life. Development in Christianity of the techniques peculiar to ancient philosophy. ~ The example of Cassian. First principle: no monastic life without direction. Necessity of direction for the anchorite as for the cenobite. The three phases of preparation for entry into a cenoby. Two correlative obligations: to obey in everything and to conceal nothing. Importance of this coupling in the history of Christian subjectivity. Characteristics of this obedience according to Cassian (subditio, patientia, humilitas). A direction poles apart from ancient direction.