An Aberdonian Bishop: Part II of II

At the beginning of August, during the Catholic Intellectual Tradition seminar at Benedictine College, Bishop Hugh Gilbert’s June retreat for the monks was recalled almost every day by Brothers Jean-Marie and Fulton. In one way or another, the words of Bishop Gilbert seemed to linger well beyond his visit and were found to be apt for illuminating or punctuating the themes under discussion. This was further evidence that Bishop Gilbert’s visit was special. One monk went so far as to say it was the best retreat he experienced in his 20 or so years at the Abbey. 

Describing a monastic conference as “one beggar telling other beggars where to find good bread” and a retreat as “a good opportunity to dust off the icon of Christ in me,” Bishop Gilbert asked the monks to consider Christ’s statement in chapter 5 of St. John’s Gospel: “My Father is at work still, and I am working too.” Monks are the “Lord’s workers,” Gilbert explained, so it is important they are attuned to the work the Father is still doing and, like Christ, participate in that work through the particulars of the monastic vocation. 

What is the work the Father is still doing? As the Gospels reveal, the principal work of the Father is to glorify His Son. Sending His only Son into the world, the Father sets Christ forth as the One in whom He is well pleased and commands us to listen to Him. It is through the Son that we can return to the Father’s love.

The central work in which monks must be involved, then, is getting to know Christ—listening to Him, loving Him, and being caught up in His eternal communion with the Father and Holy Spirit. This means remaining diligent in that characteristically Benedictine activity of prayerful recitation of the Psalms and scriptural meditation. The life of the monk needs to be immersed in Scripture. Scripture is to be the paradigm for monastic life; its words should be the most apt ways of explaining monastic activity. For when Christ explained His work on the Father’s behalf, he repeatedly turned to Scripture. And, as St. Jerome said, ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. 

Another passage Bishop Gilbert invoked came from Revelation chapter 1: “now write what you see…” Monks are called to be companions of Christ, co-laborers in the Lord’s vineyard who, like Christ, as the Rule says, “prefer nothing to the work of the Lord.” But just as Christ testified to the Father, so His disciples should bear witness to Him. The monastic vocation is not mere self-improvement or self-help. Monks are Christ’s brethren who must serve His Church by witnessing to the reality of friendship with Christ. They are to “write what they see” with their lives and through their labors. “It is not enough,” said Bishop Gilbert, “to say ‘I love Jesus’; it must be verified.” This means being active in apostolic work and spiritual ministry.

In particular, Bishop Gilbert called upon the monks to grapple with the hopelessness many in the third millennium are experiencing. To be faithful witnesses of Christ today, monks must be “purveyors of hope.” Here he exhorted the monks to become ever more convinced of the reality of heaven. 

One of the works of Christ said He undertakes for the Father is to go and prepare a place for us. Heaven must be seen as our true home. We ought to long for full, unfettered life with God. This is why Christ discourages us from being obsessed about what we shall eat, drink, and wear. Monks, who have in some sense forsaken worldly worries so as to focus on things above, need to be witnesses to the priority of eternity. They need to be able to communicate the joys of heaven. 

Many of the monks were moved by the stories Bishop Gilbert told from his experiences as abbot and bishop. Brother Jean-Marie, for example, said he was “particularly struck by the stories he shared about people who entered the Church at his cathedral this Easter. They indicated to me that God always shows the way to those who sincerely seek Him.” 

Brother Maximillian found a gentle correction when Bishop Gilbert told a story about his visit to a female religious community. Gilbert said the community had an “ambience of goodness” and when he asked the sisters to what they attributed this tangible mark of holiness, they replied simply that they pray for each other. 

Many more reported being surprised by the simple joyfulness of Bishop Gilbert. He was the most humble and down-to-earth bishop many had ever met. Brother Jay said he was “deeply, deeply touched by his humility, gentleness, and kindness” and found his ability to smile and enjoy all that life presents a great inspiration. He, like others, was also shocked Bishop Gilbert never owned a cell phone. 

Bishop Gilbert was likewise delighted by his time in Atchison. While he had heard “very good things” about Benedictine College and knew of the community at St. Benedict’s, he never expected he would visit. “I am very glad,” he said, “that I accepted their invitation.” “The Benedictine Community itself could not have been more friendly and welcoming to a monk-bishop from the ‘other side of the Pond.’” 

Alongside spending time with the monks and catching up with old friends like Fr. Paul Turner and Abbot Gregory Polan, Bishop Gilbert had a chance to meet several of the College’s professors and local families. He said he was inspired by the thriving Catholic community in the town and the witness of the vibrant families. Although the students were not in session at the College, he said he could “sense the beauty, energy, quality, and Catholicity of Benedictine.” 

There was also some time for a robust experience of the area. Bishop Gilbert was able to enjoy Arthur Bryant’s famed Kansas City BBQ, a Kansas City Royals game, a private tour of the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, and a performance by the Kansas City symphony. He also met his episcopal brothers, Archbishop Naumann, Archbishop McKnight, and Bishop James Johnston. 

But there were two experiences outside the Abbey that seemed to bring a special smile to his face: his time with the Brothers and the Sisters of the Lamb and gelato at the local Catholic bookstore, Pace et Bene. “It was good to spend those days in beautiful Kansas, on the banks of the great Missouri River, with my Benedictine brethren,” he says. It’s safe to say that all hope Providence will bring the good bishop back again.