And the fourth kind is that of the monks called girovagi, who are all their lives guests for three or four days at a time in the different groups of cells through the various provinces. Benedict explains the responsibilities of the abbott, or community leader, in whose care rests the welfare of the communitys members. Benedict and the twelve steps of humility july 11th is the feast day of st. The concept of hell is more foreign, less visceral and immediate, to those of us who live in a secular society than it was for christians in benedict s time. Benedict, saint, abbot of monte cassino verheyen, rev.
In this introduction we read about some of the key concepts to. The following reflection on the rule of st benedict offers us countless. Gregory thegreat,supremepontiff,wasbornin540, aboutthreeyearsprevioustothedeathof saintbenedict. This work is a compilation of instructions for communal monks who live in. In this kindle version, it is preserved in solid english, with a guide to reading it day by day. Benedict of nursia, the patriarch of western monks, 1 was born c. Benedict was the creation of his rule, what we call. The life of saint benedict, patriarch of the western monks. It was written as a norm for discipline in the lives of monks living in monasteries under the direction of an abbot. Cotter, using the division into sense lines for public reading of the first edition that was republished in 2001 to mark the 75th anniversary of liturgical press.
If we think that the master wrote these chapters, which is probable, and that the master had this clear contradiction, then we must wonder why benedict took it over. Benedict, i had developed and implemented a rule of life. Its logic is the logic of daily life lived in christ and lived well. The rule is a treasure possessing many teachings on good leadership, all of which are directed to bring omnia membra in pace. Always wanderers and never settled, they are slaves to their own pleasures and the snares. A timeless classic by the founder of western monasticism. One community soon grew to twelve, and to establish these new communities on a sound foundation benedict, wrote his simple rule. A monastic rule of life might seem an unlikely bestseller but the rule of st benedict was almost certainly the mostread book outside of the bible for five centuries around ad.
One gets the distinct impression from reading his rule that benedict was a. Benedict prologue chapter 1 of the several kinds of monks chapter 2 what kind of man the abbot ought to be chapter 3 of calling the brethren to council chapter 4 what are the instruments of good works chapter 5 of the obedience of the disciples chapter 6 of silence chapter 7 of humility. George washington, benedict arnold, and the fate of the american revolution the holy twins. Benedict was neither the sole rule, nor did it enjoy universal. This work holds the first place among monastic legislative codes, and was by far the most important factor in the organization and spread of monasticism in the west. His wisdom is again being discovered by lay people today, inspiring us to root our lives in god, listen with openness to his word, and recognise our calling to serve one another in love. From the time it was first promulgated in the sixth century, the rule of st. Conception abbey, conception, missouri 64433 usa the portrait of an abbot painted by saint benedict in the rule is nothing short of a christportrait. Benedict provides tangible advice regarding how a community of christians can cultivate contented souls that are modest and free from want. But even if, the demands of justice dictating it, something a little irksome shall be the result, for the purpose of. The language used is careful and friendly, sounding like a loving father welcoming and advising his sons. Prologue we are about to found therefore a school for the lords service. The rule of saint benedict was written in the sixth century by the father of monastic life, st benedict himself.
Apr 25, 2010 several oblates have asked for suggestions on commentaries on the rule of st. Scholastica and patron saint of students, he is also widely recognized for his john cassianinfluenced rule of st. Benedicts rules of obedience, humility, and contemplation are not only prerequisites for formal religious societies, they. Benedicts rule has become the basis for the rules of practically every christian monastic community in the west. Benedict or iginally intended this te xt for use in monaster ies. Benedict laid down a short set of guidelines and rules for those entering or already in monasteries. Prologue 45 where we progress in this way of life that, in his love, the lord shows us and in faith, and so run along the way of gods commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love, in the hope that never swerving from his instructions, but faithfully observing his teaching. Article pdf available october 2010 with 1,762 reads how we measure reads. In this paper, we look at the rule of saint benedict rsb and trace its. If he does not use this occasion to humble himself, he will be subjected to more severe punishment 2 for failing to correct by humility the wrong committed through negligence.
For the night office on sunday the monks should rise earlier. To destroy witchcraft and all other diabolical influences. Here is a common sense approach to arranging life so that. Benedict is a fairly short book, usually printed in fewer than 100 pages, with its 73 chapters of a few paragraphs in length at most. This full commentary predominately a literary and historical criticism is based on and includes a latin text of regula benedicti. Introduction please scroll down for daily reflections we wanted the rule of st benedict rb to pulse through the website as it does through our life, hence the decision that the daily portion of the rule, read in most benedictine monasteries and by many individuals, should feature on the home page. Later, in chapter 7 of the rule, we find that the first step of humility, then, is that a man keeps the fear of god always before his eyes ps 3536. This full commentary predominately literary and historical criticism is based on and includes a latin text of regula benedicti. Christ is the beginning and the end, the ground of my being and the goal of my seeking. The rule of saint benedict or regula benedict was written by saint benedict of nurisa, the patron saint of europe. Composed nearly fifteen hundred years ago by the father of western monasticism, the rule of st. For those constantly overwhelmed by physical possessions, internal clutter and societys spiralling superfluity, the rule of st.
St benedict aimed with his rule to establish a school for the lords service cf. This early monastic rule is part of the wisdom tradition of christianity and is rooted in the bible for its inspiration and its end. Benedict wrote for monks e arly in the 6th century preferring noth ing whatever to christ rb 4. Benedict is still the most foundational piece of monastic spirituality in the western world. We mustnt think of benedicts communities as the great monasteries that. Chapter 48 emphasizes the importance of manual labour and arranges time to be. Ora et labora pray and work is the wellknown phrase that reflects the basic idea underlying the rule of monastic life, which was originally formulated by saint benedict of nursia around 480. It sets forth an outline for christian discipleship drawn from the heart of jesus ministry. Regula sancti benedicti is a book of precepts written in 516 by benedict of nursia c. Benedict and scholastica god is love deus caritas est benedict xvi st. The rule of benedict relevant and appropriate the christcentredness of the rule and of the life to which it gives rise is overwhelming. Sep 22, 2015 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The rule of benedict penguin classics kindle edition by.
The benedictine rule was much more than a spiritual plan. Its leading characteristics are its wonderful discretion, moderation, and keen insight into the capabilities and weaknesses of human nature. Benedict by saint benedict, abbot of monte cassino. Years ago i became an associate with the order of holy cross, which is benedictine in nature. Whether youre christian or not, some interesting insights can be gained from the rule of st. Benedict has been one of the most influential, enduring documents of western civilization. Obedience benedictine abbey of christ in the desert.
Composed for the guidance of his own monks at monte cassino, st. He has already included us as his sons, and therefore we should never grieve him by our evil actions line 5. Benedicts rule for monasteries by abbot of monte cassino. Benedict s rule has become the basis for the rules of practically every christian monastic community in the west. This book contains a thorough set of principles for. Benedict is an excellent, quick read that helps the reader understand the aims and mindset of early christian monks. The rule of saint benedict, translated from the latin by leonard j. Contact information monastic rule the holy rule of st. Mistakes in the oratory 1 should anyone make a mistake in a psalm, responsory, refrain or reading, he must make satisfaction there before all. It towers in the great tradition of christian monasticism. Of the kinds or the life of monks it is well known that there are four kinds of monks. Rule of st benedict mcgill university school of computer. Moreover, saint benedict recognized the limitations of humanity and provided for differences in age, ability, needs, disposition, and faith.
The first kind is that of cenobites, that is, the monastic, who live under a rule and an abbot. The balance in st benedicts rule of prayer and work has been successfully. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Christian classics ethereal library, grand rapids, mi description.
Too great a merging of monastics and guests will benefit neither, says. The rule of saint benedict contains much more about good leadership exercised by the abbot, often found in passing through any variety of topics dealt with. Pdf purpose the classical logic of organisations existing as generators of. Daily reading from the rule of benedict benedictine. Since about the 7th century it has been adopted with equal success by communities of women.
During the 1500 years of its existence, it has become the leading guide in western christianity. Before long, however, he left rome out of disgust for the rampant immorality he saw. Benedict or iginally intended this te xt for use in monasteries. The rule of saint benedict spread widely beginning in the seventh century, but in. Introductionhistorical background the man behind the rule benedict of nursia, the patriarch of western monks,1 was born c. Leadership in the rule of saint benedict abbot gregory polan, o. Benedict has for centuries been the guide of religious communities. Benedict is not only an ideal guide for the individual wishing to follow the benedictine path. The rule of saint benedict spread widely beginning in the seventh. Since about the 7th century it has also been adopted by communities of women. Benedict of nursia for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot.
The rule of benedict penguin classics kindle edition. Benedict saint benedict of nursia is known as the father of western monasticism. Benedict highlights the importance of peace, prayer. Benedict introduces the main principles of religious and spiritual life. Pdf the rule of benedict and its relevance to the world of work. The rule of saint benedict and corporate management. For its general character and also its illustration of st. Benedict the great founder of monastic communities all across italy. Introductionhistorical background the man behind the rule. The master, the rule of st basil and the rule of st augustine.
When that went wrong he left to start his own monastic community. Ad 480550 for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot. The rule as it is usually called is about community livinga daytoday basic guide originally written for christian men who wanted to be monks, telling them what to do, how to be christfollowers in that unique way, and how to get. Almost all we know about st benedict comes from st gregory the greats dialogues, where he says that benedict, vir dei benedictus, the blessed man of god, wrote a rule for monks that is remarkable for its discretion and its clarity of language dialogues, book 11, ch. Benedict, can be a mighty tool towards living a happier and more minimalistic lifestyle.
Publication date 1921 topics benedict, saint, abbot of monte cassino, benedictines publisher. The rule of saint benedict regula benedicti is a book of precepts written by st. Benedict establishes a way of life rooted in the gospel and grounded in the scriptural principles of charity, humility, stability, and faithfulness. Benedict was born around 480 ad and died around 543 ad, though the purpose of this post is not to provide the biographical information regarding st. Benedict medal many thousands of miracles, cures and extraordinary favours have been obtained.
Texts and translations of the rule of saint benedict osb. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. The concept of hell is more foreign, less visceral and immediate, to those of us who live in a secular society than it. Written by a spiritual father for his children, the rule of st. My rule was fairly simple entailing daily bible reading, prayer, study, church attendance, retreats and. Commentaries can be broken into three primary groups. The spirituality of the rule of st benedict julian freeman. This rule of life is in christ the heart and soul of the most successful religious order in history. At this office let the following regulations be observed, namely. During the 1500 years of its existence, it has become the leading guide in western christianity for monastic living in community, both in. Forsaking worldly desires for a vocation to the monastic life, he was a respected and deeply spiritual man who highly influenced the culture and civilization of europe. The spirit of saint benedicts rule is summed up in the motto of the benedictine confederation.
Pdf the rule of st benedict in english download full. Benedict medal is given away it loses its blessing and must be blessed again. Daily reading from the rule of benedict benedictine sisters. Benedict was the founder not only of the abbey montecassino, but also the father of the entire benedictine order. Benedict exhorts his readers to live in fear of judgment day and have a great horror of hell.
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