The Rule Of St Benedict

Fifteen centuries after it was written, the Rule of St. Benedict still provides a deep and practical spirituality that helps lay people cope with everyday problems and challenges.

For fifteen centuries Benedictine monasticism has been governed by a Rule that is at once strong enough to instill order and yet flexible enough to have relevance fifteen-hundred years later. This pocket-sized, English-only edition is perfect for individual or group study.

The Rule of St. Benedict forms the foundation for one of the oldest ongoing institutions in all of Western civilization. The Rule not only defines life for men and women in monasteries but has also become central to the spirituality of lay Christians across the globe. This gender-neutral translation is true to the original text but provides an alternative for individuals and groups who prefer such a version over the masculine language of the original as it was written for St. Benedict’s monks. See also version with daily commentary by Judith Sutera, OSB

Founder of a monastery at Monte Cassino, between Rome and Naples, in the sixth century, St Benedict intended his Rule to be a practical guide to Christian monastic life. Based on the key precepts of humility, obedience and love, its aim is to create a harmonious and efficient religious community in which individuals can make progress in the Christian virtues and gain eternal life. Here, Benedict sets out ideal monastery routines and regulations, from the qualities of a good abbot, the twelve steps to humility and the value of silence to such every day matters as kitchen duties, care of the sick and the suitable punishment for lateness at mealtimes. Benedict’s legacy is still strong – his Rule remains a source of inspiration and a key work in the history of the Christian church.

"A commentary on parts of the Rule of St. Benedict (prologue and chapters 53, 58, 72, and 73)"--Provided by publisher.

A timeless source of wisdom for people looking to lead a life of simplicity, purpose, and serenity The Rule of St. Benedict has governed monastic communities for centuries, but it is far more than a standard religious text. The Rule is, above all, a handbook for living a deliberate life—no matter your religious background or beliefs. It teaches the importance of contemplation and silence, of solitude, and the power of community and unity. With lessons focusing on the simple acts of everyday life, like eating and daily work, along with wisdom for the deeply personal and internal facets of living, such as cultivating humility and practicing forgiveness, The Rule of St. Benedict is a profound guide to living a good and meaningful life. An award-winning translator, Philip Freeman’s version of The Rule is beautifully accessible in its language. With a simple and direct style, the book lays out a way of living that is transformative in its simplicity and striking in its power.

This classic commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict is organized as follows: Introduction Prologue I. Of the Various Kinds of Monks II. What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be III. Of Calling the Brethren to Council IV. What Are the Instruments of Good Works V. Of Obedience VI. The Spirit of Silence VII. Of Humility VIII. Of the Divine Office at Night IX. How Many Psalms Are to Be Said at the Night Hours X. How the Night Office Is to Be Said in Summer XI. How the Night Office Is to Be Said on Sundays XII. How the Office of Lauds Is to Be Said XIII. How Lauds Are to Be Said on Weekdays. XIV. How the Night Office Is to Be Said on Saints’-Days XV. At What Times of the Year “Alleluia” Is to Be Said XVI. How the Work of God Is to Be Done in the Day-Time XVII. How Many Psalms Are to Be Said at These Hours (Of the Day) XVIII. In What Order the Psalms Are to Be Said. XIX. How to Say the Divine Office XX. Of Reverence at Prater XXI. Of the Deans of the Monastery XXII. How the Monks Are to Sleep XXIII. Of Excommunication for Faults XXIV. What the Measure of Excommunication Should Be XXV. Of Graver Faults XXVI. Of Those Who, Without Leave of the Abbot, Consort With the Excommunicate XXVII. How Careful the Abbot Should Be of the Excommunicate XXVIII. Of Those Who, Being Often Corrected, Do Not Amend XXIX. Whether the Brethren Who Leave the Monastery Are to Be Received Again XXX. How Young Boys Are to Be Corrected XXXI. Of the Cellarer of the Monastery XXXII. Of the Tools and Property of the Monastery XXXIII. Whether Monks Ought to Have Antthing of Their Own XXXIV. Whether All Ought to Receive Necessary Things Alike XXXV. Of the Weekly Servers in the Kitchen XXXVI. Of the Sick Brethren XXXVII. Of Old Men and Children XXXVIII. The Weekly Reader XXXIX. Of the Measure of Food XL. Of the Measure of Drink XLI. At What Hours the Brethren Are to Take Their Meals XLII. That No One May Speak After Compline XLIII. Of Those Who Come Late to the Work of God, or to Table XLIV. Of Those Who Are Excommunicated, How They Are to Make Satisfaction XLV. Of Those Who Make Mistakes in the Oratory XLVI. Of Those Who Offend in Any Other Matters XLVII. Of Signifying the Hour for the Work of God XLVIII. Of the Daily Manual Labour XLIX. Of the Observance of Lent L. Of Brethren Who Are Working at a Distance From the Oratory or Are on a Journey LI. Of Brethren Who Do Not Go Far Away LII. Of the Oratort of the Monastery LIII. Of the Reception of Guests LIV. Whether a Monk Ought to Receive Letters or Tokens LV. Of the Clothes and Shoes of the Brethren LVI. Of the Abbots Table LVII. Of the Artificers of the Monastery LVIII. Of the Discipline of Receiving Brethren Into Religion LIX. Of the Sons of Nobles or the Poor That Are Offered LX. Of Priests Who May Wish to Dwell in the Monastery LXI. Of Pilgrim Monks, How They Are to Be Received LXII. Of the Priests of the Monastery LXIII. Of the Order of the Community LXIV. Of the Appointment of the Abbot LXV. Of the Prior of the Monastery LXVI. Of the Porter of the Monastery LXVII. Of Brethren Who Are Sent on a Journey LXVIII. If a Brother Be Commanded to Do Impossibilities LXIX. That Monks Presume Not to Defend One Another LXX. That No One Presume Rashly to Strike or Excommunicate Another LXXI. That the Brethren Be Obedient One to the Other LXXII. Of the Good Zeal Which Monks Ought to Have LXXIII. That the Whole Observance of Justice Is Not Set Down in This Rule