This spirituality is life lived with an eye on those for whom life is a terrible burden. This rulebook for the monastic life was written by benedict around 530. Introduction to study the holy rule of saint benedict and abbot philip lawrences accompanying commentary st. Saint benedicts name has garnered more attention of late due to the conversation across the catholic and christian blogosphere over rod drehers bestselling book, the benedict option. During the 1500 years of its existence, it has become the leading guide in western christianity. Benedicts rules of obedience, humility, and contemplation. A timeless classic by the founder of western monasticism. This series is an essential resource for every monastery, abbey, or group that finds in the rule of st. 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. For the night office on sunday the monks should rise earlier. Texts and translations of the rule of saint benedict osb. 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.
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. Prologue we are about to found therefore a school for the lords service. Written by a spiritual father for his children, the rule of st. In 1964 pope paul vi proclaimed him the patron saint of all europe. Prologue verse 17 benedictine abbey of christ in the desert. In this kindle version, it is preserved in solid english, with a guide to reading it day by day.
Benedict is not only an ideal guide for the individual wishing to follow the benedictine path. 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. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. L et us get up then, at long last, for the scriptures rouse us 3 when they say, it is high time for us to arise from sleep. Benedict pdf feedback end users havent still remaining the writeup on the overall game, or otherwise not make out the print yet. Composed nearly fifteen hundred years ago by the father of western monasticism, the rule of st. Benedicts rule has become the basis for the rules of practically every christian monastic community in the west. Then, in this next paragraph, the rule requires the keeping of the corporal works of mercy. Gregory thegreat,supremepontiff,wasbornin540, aboutthreeyearsprevioustothedeathof saintbenedict.
In this paper, we look at the rule of saint benedict rsb and trace its potential links to. Benedict, and dates to the early 9th century and was in switzerland. Originalityvalue the ancient texts of the rule of benedict are translated into. The spirituality of the rule of st benedict julian freeman. The rule is a treasure possessing many teachings on good leadership, all of which are directed to bring omnia membra in pace. Undoubtedly among such works is the rule of st benedict. Benedict was written in the early 6th century by benedict of nursia, italy. The rule of saint benedict regula benedicti is a book of precepts written by st. Benedict to date about the publication we now have rb 1980. Publication date 1921 topics benedict, saint, abbot of monte cassino, benedictines publisher. So it is necessary to make a careful choice in the acquisition of.
Although written for monastics, many of the issues addressed in the rule can be applied to life in the world outside the monastic community. Benedict was the creation of his rule, what we call. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source. Introductionhistorical background the man behind the rule. Understand with willing mind and effectually fulfil thy holy fathers admonition.
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. The rule of benedict is not a treatise in systematic theology. If we combine the nj thesis and the preemption thesis, and formu. And isnt such presence of the soul precisely exercised by means of manual labour. Composed for the guidance of his own monks at monte cassino, st. It towers in the great tradition of christian monasticism. Too great a merging of monastics and guests will benefit neither, says. The rule of saint benedict spread widely beginning in the seventh century, but in. For its general character and also its illustration of st. Benedict and how it influenced the later composition of the rule. It has been suggested henry, 2001 that the translation of. Benedict was the son of a nobleman in the umbrian region of what is now italy, in the late 5th early 6th century.
The regula basilii is a latin translation of this work, done in 397. This rule of life is in christ the heart and soul of the most successful religious order in history. Daily reading from the rule of benedict benedictine sisters. Benedict 1 the rule of saint benedict translated into english.
The rule contains 73 chapters which outline a way of life based on the gospel and lived in community under the guidance of and obedience to an abbot men or prioress women, and obedience to one another. Read todays passage we wish this rule to be read often in the community, so that none can offer the excuse of ignorance rb 66, 8. Benedict wrote for monks e arly in the 6th century preferring noth ing whatever to christ rb 4. Scholars tell us that the rule of the master was written before the rule of saint benedict and that saint benedict edited the rule of the master and added some material of his own. It sets forth an outline for christian discipleship drawn from the heart of jesus ministry. Not only does he quote the apostle copiously, he often commentary. Benedict of nursia author of the rule of saint benedict. Pdf download the rule of st benedict in english free.
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. 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. My rule was fairly simple entailing daily bible reading, prayer, study, church attendance, retreats and fasting. Yet even beyond the monastery, when there is no direct link to monasticism, the rule also offers valuable inspiration and encouragement. Second, and more importantly, manual and physically demanding work is.
This volume represents a new latin edition, translated and annotated in english by anna m. Years ago i became an associate with the order of holy cross, which is benedictine in nature. Benedicts rule for monastic living has been soul inspiring and formative for countless numbers of persons who have lived as monks, nuns, priests, deacons, teachers, parish workers, seekers of holiness, and so many others. Before long, however, he left rome out of disgust for the rampant immorality he saw. Benedict exhorts his readers to live in fear of judgment day and have a great horror of hell. Rule of benedict daily reading benedictine sisters of erie. The rule of saint benedict, translated from the latin by leonard j. Benedict is still the most foundational piece of monastic spirituality in the western world. Benedict and the twelve steps of humility july 11th is the feast day of st. Benedict the great founder of monastic communities all across italy. Sep 22, 2015 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Benedict has for centuries been the guide of religious communities. Saint benedict took material from many other sources, as did the rule of the master, and formed that material into his own rule. At this office let the following regulations be observed, namely.
First, benedict instructs the monastic to keep the commandments. The rule of saint benedict was written in the sixth century by the father of monastic life, st benedict himself. Benedict attempts to indicate how the gospels can be implemented into the specific lifestyle of a member of a monastic order, namely, how to live according to the model and teachings of christ. Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at subiaco, italy about 40 miles 64 km to the east of rome, before moving to monte cassino in the. Benedict saint benedict of nursia is known as the father of western monasticism. Its leading characteristics are its wonderful discretion, moderation, and keen insight into the capabilities and weaknesses of human nature.
The teaching that a family should take from the rule of st benedict on this point could. Benedict has been one of the most influential, enduring documents of western civilization. Benedict s rule has become the basis for the rules of practically every christian monastic community in the west. Abridged, modernized and introduced by stephen tomkins.
The rule of saint benedict yankton benedictine sisters. Benedicts rule for monasteries by abbot of monte cassino. Ad 480550 for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot. The life of saint benedict, patriarch of the western monks.
Its logic is the logic of daily life lived in christ and lived well. 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. At lauds on sunday, let the 66th psalm be said first simply, without an antiphon. Authentic personal details are principally found in the second dialogue, written by pope gregory the great pope from 590 to 604 a. 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 had written his rule to govern the communi ties he had founded at subiac o and monte cassino in ital y. We might, i suppose, have thought that benedict would suggest that prayer was the first and most important tool for good works and a good life, but maybe he assumes that we have already committed our project to god in prayer at the beginning of the prologue. Since about the 7th century it has also been adopted by communities of women. Benedict, i had developed and implemented a rule of life.
Pdf purpose the classical logic of organisations existing as. Acquisition of technical know acquisition of technical how and maturation of. 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. Here is a common sense approach to arranging life so that christian spirituality. Applying the rule of saint benedict to the home duquesne. Hospitality allows for one to merge private and public life by welcoming the stranger into his or her. 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.
Benedicts rule for monasteries at project gutenberg, translated by leonard j. The rule contains 73 chapters which outline a way of life based on the gospel and lived in community under the guidance of and obedience to an abbot men or. Saint benedict, founder of the benedictine monastery at monte cassino and father of western monasticism. It was written as a norm for discipline in the lives of monks living in monasteries under the direction of an abbot. Benedict was neither the sole rule, nor did it enjoy universal. Pdf practical wisdom and the rule of benedict researchgate. Life at monte cassino during benedict s tenure as abbot. Listen carefully, my son, to the masters instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. Benedict satisfies joseph razs theses of authority, one of. Daily reading from the rule of benedict benedictine.
Life at monte cassino during benedicts tenure as abbot. Benedictine monasticism is, apparently, not an escape from life. This book contains a thorough set of principles for. But even if, the demands of justice dictating it, something a little irksome shall be the result, for the purpose of. The rule of benedict relevant and appropriate the christcentredness of the rule and of the life to which it gives rise is overwhelming. Pdf the rule of saint benedict and corporate management. Benedict was the founder not only of the abbey montecassino, but also the father of the entire benedictine order. The following reflection on the rule of st benedict offers us countless.
Benedict establishes a way of life rooted in the gospel and grounded in the scriptural principles of charity, humility, stability, and faithfulness. Benedict provides tangible advice regarding how a community of christians can cultivate contented souls that are modest and free from want. 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 benedicts time. So it is necessary to make a careful choice in the acquisition of sacred, as well as secular. Benedict by saint benedict, abbot of monte cassino. It is one of the major sources of the rule of saint benedict, and benedict recommends it to zealous monks, calling it the rule of our holy father basil. Benedict explains the responsibilities of the abbott, or community leader, in whose care rests the welfare of the communitys members.
After that let the 50th psalm be said with alleluia. Regula sancti benedicti is a book of precepts written in 516 by benedict of nursia c. The spirit of saint benedicts rule is summed up in the motto of the benedictine confederation. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. 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. Benedict of nursia for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot. Benedict of nursia, the patriarch of western monks, 1 was born c.
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