Catholic Radio Dramas

My Spirit Rejoices in the Lord

From a letter to his Carthusian sons by Saint Bruno, priest (c. 1035-1101)

My spirit rejoices in the Lord

Narrated by Frank Dugan, Huntington Beach, California

From the frequent and pleasant reports of our most blessed brother, I know of your reasoned and truly praise worthy discipline, carried out with unwavering rigor. Since I have heard of your holy love and constant pursuit of honesty and virtue, my spirit rejoices in the Lord. I rejoice and am drawn to praise and give thanks to God, and still I long to love him. I rejoice, as I should, in the growing fruits of your strength, and yet I grieve and grow ashamed that I lie idle and senseless in the mire of my sins.

Therefore rejoice, my dearest brothers, because you are so blessed and because of the bountiful hand of God’s grace upon you. Rejoice, because you have escaped the various dangers and shipwrecks of the stormy world. Rejoice, because you have reached the quiet and safe anchorage of a secret harbor Many wish to come into this port, and many make great efforts to do so, yet do not achieve it. Indeed many, after reaching it, have been thrust out, since it was not granted them from above.

Therefore, my brothers, you should consider it certain and well-established that whoever partakes of this desirable good, should he in any way lose it will grieve to his death, if he has any regard or concern for the salvation of his soul. My dearest lay brothers of you I say: My soul magnifies the Lord. For I have learned of the generosity of his mercy toward you from the report of your prior and dearest father; he rejoices and takes great pride in you. And let us rejoice that since you are unacquainted with the knowledge of letters, almighty God will inscribe in your hearts with his finger not only his love but also the knowledge of his holy law. By your work you show what you love and what you know. When you observe true obedience with prudence and enthusiasm, it is clear that you wisely pick the most delightful and nourishing fruit of divine Scripture.

Source: The Liturgy of the Hours – Office of Readings

Saint Bruno (c. 1035-1101) was born at Cologne about the year 1035. He was educated at Paris and, after ordination to the priesthood, he taught theology. Desiring a solitary life of prayer he founded the first Carthusian monastery.

While at prayer Bruno experienced a vision of angels appearing in the sky. A mystical encounter portrayed in the oil painting shown here by Pier Mola in 1660.

When called upon by Pope Urban II, he aided the pontiff in meeting the needs of the Church. He died at Squillace in Calabria in 1101. He was 66.