When the New Monastics emerged is difficult to date accurately. ‘Some communities now identified with new monasticism have been in existence since the 1970s and 80s. Other communities – such as the Simple Way where I stayed earlier this year – were formed in the mid-90s.’ The terminology of New Monasticism is thought to have been developed by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrave in his 1998 book called Living Faithfully in a Fragmented World. Jonathan was building on ideas of philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre. Noting the decline of local community that could sustain the moral life, MacIntyre ended his book After Virtue, by voicing a longing for “another St Benedict” By this he meant someone in the present age to lead another renewal of morality and civility through community. Jonathan identified with that longing in his own book, but outlined a vision to carry it forward within the Christian tradition’.[i]

Jonathan, whom I have personally visited, deeply value, and heard talk about these ideas, has called for a ‘New Monasticism’. He has said that the New Monasticism should be characterized by four distinctives: ‘(1) it will be “marked by a recovery of the telos of this world” revealed in Jesus, and aimed at the healing of fragmentation, bringing the whole of life under the lordship of Christ; (2) it will be aimed at the “whole people of God” who live and work in all kinds of contexts, and not create a distinction between those with sacred  and secular vocations; (3) it will be disciplined, not by a recovery of old monastic rules, but by the joyful discipline achieved by a small group of disciples practicing mutual exhortation, correction, and reconciliation; and (4) it will be “undergirded by deep theological reflection and commitment,” by which the church may recover its life and witness in the world.’[ii]

It sounds good, really good. Which is why there is so much enthusiasm about the idea of exploring the possibility of practicing a New Monasticism, in the tradition of Basil, Benedict, Aidan, Francis, Nilus, Bartolome, Mary and Mother Teresa.