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 advice is from a spiritual father who loves you and gives you the sort of counsel that will shape your whole life.” “Listen, my child. I want you to put the ear of your heart to the solid ground of the master’s wisdom (what I received, I’m passing on to you). It’s advice from a spiritual father who loves you – the sort of counsel you receive by letting it shape your whole life.” So begins the famous opening paragraph of Benedict’s Rule in Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove’s vital, new, contemporary paraphrase. The entire text of the Rule is here plus a lengthy introduction from Jonathan, and detailed explanatory notes throughout that explain difficult passages. The result is a classic re-introduced that will enliven any 21st-century expression of religious community.
Sickened by the post-Roman turmoil of 5th Century Italy, Benedict renounced the world and retired to a life of Christian contemplation in a cave just west of Rome. Revered for his sanctity, local monks asked him to become their abbot. But Benedict's discipline proved too strict - the monks tried to poison him, and he left to establish many small monasteries, eventually founding the famous monastery on Monte Cassino and gaining the title 'Father of Western Monasticism'. This book is the saint's directions for establishing an orderly and pious monastic community, covering, among other matters, the community, authority and obedience, good works, control of speech and thoughts, humility, contemplation, work, vows and hospitality. Full of guidance and inspiration, 'The Rule of St Benedict' is for anyone seeking peace and fulfillment in their life.
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. St. Benedict's rules of obedience, humility, and contemplation are not only prerequisites for formal religious societies, they also provide an invaluable model for anyone desiring to live more simply.
The famous, classic life of St. Benedict, filled with miracles, holy stories and inspiring idealism. Delightful reading for all ages. Describes much of what is known about St. Benedict, including the founding of the Benedictine order.
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.
THE LIFE of Our Most Holy Father Saint Benedict Being the Second Book of the Dialogues of St. Gregory the Great. INTRODUCTION. THERE was a man of venerable life, Benedict by name and grace, who from the time of his very childhood carried the heart of an old man. His demeanour indeed surpassing his age, he gave himself no disport or pleasure, but living here upon earth he despised the world with all the glory thereof, at such time as he might have most freely enjoyed it. He was born in the province of Nursia of honourable parentage and sent to Rome to study the liberal sciences. But when he saw there many through the uneven paths of vice run headlong to their own ruin, he drew back his foot, but new-set in the world, lest, in the search of human knowledge, he might also fall into the same dangerous precipice. Contemning therefore learning and studies and abandoning his father's house and goods, he desired only to please God in a virtuous life. Therefore he departed skilfully ignorant and wisely unlearned. I have not attained unto all this man did, but the few things which I here setdown, were related to me by four of his disciples; namely, Constantine, a very reverend man, who succeeded him in the government of the Monastery; Valentinian, who for many years bore rule in the Monastery of Lateran; Simplicius, who was the third superior of that congregation after him; and Honoratus who yet governeth the Monastery which he first inhabited.
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.
The wisdom of ancient sages, many of whom predate the Christian era, particularly historians, philosophers, playwrights, and poets of Greece, but also many of the wise early church fathers and mothers continue to be a source of insight into life well lived. This book of poems gleans some of their gems of wisdom and views them through the lens of contemporary language and experience. In addition to the wisdom of early Greek sages, there is here a significant number of quotations from the apostolic fathers and the post-apostolic fathers/mothers: Justin Martyr, Irenaeus of Lyons, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen. From the so-called “Golden Age” of Christianity (fourth to eighth centuries) there are comments from Basil (bishop of Caesarea), Gregory (bishop of Nazianzus), Gregory (bishop of Nyssa), Isidore (bishop of Pelusium), and Maximus the Confessor. From the Latin fathers of the same period there are selections from Tertullian, Augustine (bishop of Hippo), and from the Syriac fathers Ephrem the Syrian and Isaac (bishop of Nineveh). From the desert fathers and mothers there are excerpts from Symeon the New Theologian and Amma Theodora. These poetic paraphrases of ancient wisdom are shared with the hope that they are faithful to these servants of knowledge and faith, and that they will continue to enhance life’s meaning today.
The famous, classic life of St. Benedict, filled with miracles, holy stories and inspiring idealism. Delightful reading for all ages. Describes much of what is known about St. Benedict, including the founding of the Benedictine order.
2019 Reprint of 1952 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition software. d104 with Latin and English text on opposing pages. Founder of a monastery at Monte Cassino 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 everyday 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.
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