Spirituality
The Williamite way of life is not a historical reconstruction, but a living response to the spiritual thirst of the modern world. Our mission is to rediscover and bear witness to the presence of God through contemplation and fraternal service — in silence, fidelity, and interior transformation.
1. Asceticism as an Inner Attitude
The radical asceticism of Saint William is, for us, a spiritual attitude: a renunciation of self-centeredness, a letting go of needless noise and complexity, so that the voice of God may become audible in the heart. His hermitage is a symbol for us: a call to create, within our own “mala valle” — our “wretched valley” — an inner dwelling place where God may abide.
2. Communicating God’s Presence through Contemplation
Amid the noise of the world, we seek silence. Contemplation is not withdrawal, but presence: to live in the presence of God, and from this wellspring to make possible for others an encounter with the Father, through Christ.
3. The Way of Healing through Spiritual Accompaniment
Saint Augustine understood that sin is not merely transgression, but a wound. The path to healing leads through the love of truth, self-knowledge, and the grace of God. Our own ministry follows this path: through spiritual accompaniment, encouragement, and clarity — through a welcoming presence that helps our brothers and sisters recognize their wounds and set out on the path of healing in Christ.
4. Living the Kingdom of God in Daily Life
We do not wait passively for what is to come; we believe the Kingdom of God is already present — in every act of love, mercy, justice, and peace. The Williamite way of life helps us experience this reality: each day becomes an opportunity for inner growth and to live consciously before the face of God. Contemplation, fraternal communion, and humble service are the three pillars upon which our Order stands.
Szaint William of Malavalle
Saint William of Malavalle, in a 17th-century copperplate engraving. Unknown author, source: Austrian National Library.
Image caption:
"Hic Gvilielmvs erat Dux et crucis impius ante Vorax, milesq́ ferox: nunc mitior agno, Bernardo victas sed dedit ille manus. Nec Mars, nec mors, sub casside vita latet."
"This was William: once a prince and godless crusader, a voracious, wild soldier; now gentler than a lamb. Bernardus persuaded him to repent, and he surrendered. It is not Mars, not death, but life that now lies beneath the helmet."
