--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Hospitality is a prized virtue of…" description: "\"“Hospitality is a prized virtue of monastic communities. Benedict's rule says: 'All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc2/ken-shigematsu-42688_alphonsus_hospitality-is-a-prized-virtue-of-monast_296621.jpg" --- # Hospitality is a prized virtue of monastic communities… ![“Hospitality is a prized virtue of monastic communities. Benedict's rule says: 'All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me."' Brother Alphonsus served as a doorkeeper in the seventeenth century at a Jesuit college…” quote by Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc2/ken-shigematsu-42688_alphonsus_hospitality-is-a-prized-virtue-of-monast_296621.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc2/ken-shigematsu-42688_alphonsus_hospitality-is-a-prized-virtue-of-monast_296621.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc2/ken-shigematsu-42688_alphonsus_hospitality-is-a-prized-virtue-of-monast_296621.jpg) > ““Hospitality is a prized virtue of monastic communities. Benedict's rule says: 'All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me."' Brother Alphonsus served as a doorkeeper in the seventeenth century at a Jesuit college in Majorca, Spain. Each time someone knocked at the door he would reply, 'I am coming, Lord!' This practice reminded him to treat each person with as much respect as if it were Jesus himself at the door.”” [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Treat every guest as sacred, reflecting Christ’s welcome, fostering deep respect and hospitality. **In simple terms:** See each visitor as a holy guest. Key Takeaway Offer genuine, reverent hospitality. Themes hospitality respect spirituality Mood reverent inspirational Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - church gatherings - hospitality services - personal encounters - community events Key Concepts Christian ethics monastic tradition service Questions to Reflect On - How can secular spaces honor this principle? - What practices nurture respect for strangers? A Different Perspective Modern contexts may lack shared religious framing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hospitality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hospitality/) [Jesuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesuit/) [Monastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monastic/) ## Related quotes > [“Monastic communities are to the great social community what the mistletoe is to the oak, what the wart is to the human body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/monastic-communities-are-to-the-great-social-community-what-the/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“From the point of view of history, of reason, and of truth, monasticism is condemned. Monasteries, when they abound in a nation, are clogs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/from-the-point-of-view-of-history-of-reason-and-of-truth-monasticism/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“My body kills me, so I kill it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorotheus-the-theban/my-body-kills-me-so-i-kill-it/) Dorotheus the Theban > [Working in film, I'm sure you have insight into this, there's something great that only comes by way of interactions with others that a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maus/working-in-film-i-m-sure-you-have-insight-into-this-there-s-something/) [John Maus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maus/) > [I've had moments in my life when I've thought if I wasn't acting, if I wasn't doing what I do and I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferrell/i-ve-had-moments-in-my-life-when-i-ve-thought-if-i-wasn-t-acting-if-i/) [Will Ferrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferrell/) > [“By the early fifth century, the Church that had begun as a tiny group of fishermen and other poor people meeting in modest abodes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-f-cantor/by-the-early-fifth-century-the-church-that-had-begun-as-a-tiny-group/) [Norman F. Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-f-cantor/) > [Monastic life cuts off the distractions and emotional entanglements one becomes involved in, in the lay life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/monastic-life-cuts-off-the-distractions-and-emotional-entanglements/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [I've always loved the Sangha. I have the deepest, deepest respect for them. I'm very sorry that in the West people don't appreciate what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/i-ve-always-loved-the-sangha-i-have-the-deepest-deepest-respect-for/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [Thinking about monastic ideals is not the same as living up to them, but at any rate such thinking has an important place in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/thinking-about-monastic-ideals-is-not-the-same-as-living-up-to-them/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [There is a basic problem that a lot of Western monks and nuns become ordained without really understanding or appreciating what the monastic life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/there-is-a-basic-problem-that-a-lot-of-western-monks-and-nuns-become/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [In a monastic setting, if someone doesn't want to obey the rules and just wants to live the way they've always lived as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/in-a-monastic-setting-if-someone-doesn-t-want-to-obey-the-rules-and/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [You are holding in your hands not only a book of readings and instruction for the journey, but one monastic's heart of love held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-d-arcy/you-are-holding-in-your-hands-not-only-a-book-of-readings-and/) [Paula D'Arcy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-d-arcy/) > [“As a teenager, his teachers recognized his academic prowess and brilliant intelligence. They suggested he move into monastic life in order to further his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-benedict/as-a-teenager-his-teachers-recognized-his-academic-prowess-and/) [Charles Benedict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-benedict/) > [Our large trading cities bear to me very nearly the aspect of monastic establishments in which the roar of the mill-wheel and the crane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/our-large-trading-cities-bear-to-me-very-nearly-the-aspect-of/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [“One of the great dangers faced by monastic practitioners is that, after a few months or a few years or a few decades, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-casey/one-of-the-great-dangers-faced-by-monastic-practitioners-is-that/) Michael Casey ## More by Ken Shigematsu > [“When we regularly pause from our ambitions and activities, we create space to experience Christ.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-shigematsu/when-we-regularly-pause-from-our-ambitions-and-activities-we-create/) [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) > [“There are no guarantees that if we keep the Sabbath we will be successful. But honouring the Sabbath (and not overworking the other six…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-shigematsu/there-are-no-guarantees-that-if-we-keep-the-sabbath-we-will-be/) [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) > [“The path to greatness, whether pursued consciously or unconsciously, is one that requires a rhythm of disciplined practice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-shigematsu/the-path-to-greatness-whether-pursued-consciously-or-unconsciously-is/) [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) > [“Our play is not something separate from our spirituality; it is itself a sign of the presence of God in the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-shigematsu/our-play-is-not-something-separate-from-our-spirituality-it-is-itself/) [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) > [“A life awakened to God so that the world becomes our monastery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-shigematsu/a-life-awakened-to-god-so-that-the-world-becomes-our-monastery/) [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) > [“The golden rule for the Sabbath is cease from what is necessary and to embrace what gives life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-shigematsu/the-golden-rule-for-the-sabbath-is-cease-from-what-is-necessary-and/) [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) > [“Our prayer life and rule of prayer will be shaped by the different stages of our spiritual journey as well. Many people who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-shigematsu/our-prayer-life-and-rule-of-prayer-will-be-shaped-by-the-different/) [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) > [“Social media can easily become the equivalent of junk food for our soul”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-shigematsu/social-media-can-easily-become-the-equivalent-of-junk-food-for-our/) [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) > [“We need to ask ourselves why are so busy. Sabbath helps us to question our assumptions. The truth is that we may be busy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-shigematsu/we-need-to-ask-ourselves-why-are-so-busy-sabbath-helps-us-to-question/) [Ken Shigematsu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) [Explore all 10 Ken Shigematsu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-shigematsu/) ## More Benedict quotes > [“Zed and Sky had stayed behind and were chatting with Will, Sky sitting on Zed's knee as if nothing was going to get them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-stirling/zed-and-sky-had-stayed-behind-and-were-chatting-with-will-sky-sitting/) [Joss Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-stirling/) > [Benedict may not be as hurt as he really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-coleman/benedict-may-not-be-as-hurt-as-he-really-is/) [Jerry Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-coleman/) > [“Saul tapped his wife's obstinate chin. "Mrs. Benedict, you certainly are. You promised to obey." "That was thirty years ago! Before the wedding ceremony…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-stirling/saul-tapped-his-wife-s-obstinate-chin-mrs-benedict-you-certainly-are/) [Joss Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-stirling/) > [“I daily discover so much baseness and ingratitude among mankind that I almost blush at being of the same species, and could quit the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willard-sterne-randall/i-daily-discover-so-much-baseness-and-ingratitude-among-mankind-that/) [Willard Sterne Randall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willard-sterne-randall/) > [“How am I going to help you?” “You are going to jump.” “Ha.” “You are.” “Have you done this before?” “Yeah, with fruit.” That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-stirling/how-am-i-going-to-help-you-you-are-going-to-jump-ha-you-are-have-you/) [Joss Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-stirling/) > [People call me Benny. And as long as they put Benedict on my paycheck, I don't care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-wong/people-call-me-benny-and-as-long-as-they-put-benedict-on-my-paycheck/) [Benedict Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-wong/) > [Bruce Benedict is so slow he'd finish third in a race with a pregnant woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lasorda/bruce-benedict-is-so-slow-he-d-finish-third-in-a-race-with-a-pregnant/) [Tommy Lasorda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lasorda/) > [“Oh my gosh, don’t you both look pretty!” We looked like rejects from the auditions for The Sound of Music. “I will have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-stirling/oh-my-gosh-don-t-you-both-look-pretty-we-looked-like-rejects-from-the/) [Joss Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-stirling/) > [“Here's how to get started with the antipolitical politics of the Benedict Option. Secede culturally from the mainstream. Turn off the television. Put the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rod-dreher/here-s-how-to-get-started-with-the-antipolitical-politics-of-the/) [Rod Dreher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rod-dreher/) > ['Benedict' means 'blessed.' My parents liked the sound of the name and felt slightly blessed because they'd been trying for a child for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/benedict-means-blessed-my-parents-liked-the-sound-of-the-name-and/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [“Out from behind the desk where he’d been sitting, hidden by the piles of books, appeared a bespectacled, green-eyed man in a green plaid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trenton-lee-stewart/out-from-behind-the-desk-where-he-d-been-sitting-hidden-by-the-piles/) [Trenton Lee Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trenton-lee-stewart/) > [“Xav tugged Yves off me and handed me the call button. “You’ll be needing this, Phee, when my irritating little squirt of a brother…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joss-stirling/xav-tugged-yves-off-me-and-handed-me-the-call-button-you-ll-be/) [Joss Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joss-stirling/) > [“Mr. Benedict’s amusement sent him right off to sleep, for he had a condition called narcolepsy that caused him to nod off at unexpected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trenton-lee-stewart/mr-benedict-s-amusement-sent-him-right-off-to-sleep-for-he-had-a/) [Trenton Lee Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trenton-lee-stewart/) > [The one and only time I met Pope Benedict XVI was when he was Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-novak/the-one-and-only-time-i-met-pope-benedict-xvi-was-when-he-was-joseph/) [David Novak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-novak/) > [“It is often very useful for others to think you less intelligent than you are," Benedict said, his tone amused. "It works particularly well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/it-is-often-very-useful-for-others-to-think-you-less-intelligent-than/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) Browse all 63 Benedict quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Hospitality is a prized virtue of monastic communities. Benedict's rule says: 'All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say, \"I was a stranger and you welcomed me.\"' Brother Alphonsus served as a doorkeeper in the seventeenth century at a Jesuit college in Majorca, Spain. Each time someone knocked at the door he would reply, 'I am coming, Lord!' 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