Benedict in english published by the liturgical press in 1982. Pdf the rule of st benedict in english download full pdf. Since about the 7th century it has also been adopted by communities of women. Abridged, modernized and introduced by stephen tomkins. The rule of saint benedict by benedict of nursia goodreads. Ad 480550 for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot. The regula basilii is a latin translation of this work, done in 397. 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 is a timeless document in so many ways as fresh and relevant as it was when it was written almost fifteen hundred years ago. Benedict wrote a set of rules governing his monks, the rule of saint benedict, one of the more influential documents in western civilization.
The rule of saint benedict or regula benedict was written by saint benedict of nurisa, the patron saint of europe. Pdf the rule of st benedict in english download full. Here, however, it is treated more in detail, under the following heads. This pocketsized, englishonly edition is perfect for individual or group study. Benedict, the author presents excerpts of the rule, intertwining his own commentary.
I found most interesting the chapters that related to the hours for prayer, food and when to eat, clothing, how to recieve guests, and how hours for work change depending on the season. Benedict was a breakthrough as it discussed nonspiritual matters such as conflict between brothers. It is a short book, consisting of 73 chapters no more than paragraphs, and sets out st benedicts vision of how. The explicit purpose of benedict s rule was to teach monks and their superiors how to live the monastic life. The rule of st benedict fr mark and doug with cullman monks duration. Benedicts rules of obedience, humility, and contemplation are not only prerequisites for formal.
But the workshop in which we perform all these works with diligence is the enclosure of the monastery, and stability in the community. Sep 22, 2015 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the rule of. 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 fifteenhundred years later.
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. Composed nearly fifteen hundred years ago by the father. Chapter 42 enjoins the reading of the conferences of cassian or some other edifying book in the evening before compline and orders that after compline the strictest silence shall be observed until the following morning. Ad 480547 as a rule for communal life under the order of an abbot the head of the abbey. While the book is divided up into 73 chapters, the content can be divided up into distinct themes. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. As prepared by the benedictine monk and priest timothy fry, this translation of the rule of st. St benedicts inspirational work has been guiding benedictine monks for fifteen centuries, and the penguin classics edition of the rule of benedict is translated with an introduction and notes by carolinne white. The rule also embodies the idea of a written constitution, authority limited by law and under the law, and the. Benedicts rule and to discuss its leading characteristics. In this kindle version, it is preserved in solid english, with a guide to reading it day by day. Benedict, is the sum total of the revelations of one man. The inspirational work that has been guiding benedictine monks for. Benedict of nursia describes what a prospective monk has to expect when.
For monks and nuns this book can be a rediscovery of benedicts message, while for laypeople it sheds light on how to live ones daily commitment to the gospel. Short of the brief history of how the rule came to pass, it is purely the rule with little explication. This work is a compilation of instructions for communal monks who live in. This rulebook for the monastic life was written by benedict around 530. Benedict has for centuries been the guide of religious communities. Benedict is in and of itself a fairly short book, fewer than 100 pages. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in benedicts order, rule or monastic life. With a new preface by thomas moore, author of the care of the soul. A timeless classic by the founder of western monasticism. This actually makes it earlier, as a document, than some of the ones in the early church volume.
Benedict 1 the rule of saint benedict translated into english. Benedict himself, thiscommonsense guide to living a truly christian life is applicable to anyone, in or outside of the cloister. Written in the sixth century by the father of monasticism, st. It was originally intended as a manual for aspiring monks, a diverse group composed of serfs, scholars, shepherds, and sons of the nobility.
Benedict to any community setting, whether in the monastery or in your family. Benedict, in full saint benedict of nursia, nursia also spelled norcia, born c. This rule of life is in christ the heart and soul of the most successful religious order in history. The rule of saint benedict study guide contains a biography of benedict of nursia, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Benedict in english kindle edition by timothy fry, timothy horner, imogene baker, fry, timothy. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. While they presuppose a certain detachment from the world, they provide guidance and inspiration for anyone seeking peace and fulfillment in their home and work communities. Composed nearly fifteen hundred years ago by the father of western monasticism, the rule of st. Even though it was composed from the previous many sources, the credit must be given to st. 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. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. This work is a compilation of instructions for communal monks who live in monasteries presided over by abbots and detailed regulations for monks. For fifteen centuries, it has served as a leading guide for balanced monastic living. Founder of a monastery at monte cassino, between rome and naples, in the sixth century, st benedict intended his rule.
Benedicts rule keeping every rule for the love of christ. The qualities which make up a valued life humility, patience, simplicity, solitude, caring for others, and living in community concern everyone. Regula sancti benedicti is a book of precepts written in 516 by benedict of nursia c. For its general character and also its illustration of st. Benedict to any community setting, whether in the monastery or i your family. The explicit purpose of benedicts rule was to teach monks and their superiors how to live the monastic 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. After an introduction and some selected passages of gregory the gretas life of st. Benedict is not only an ideal guide for the individual wishing to follow the benedictine path. Written by a spiritual father for his children, the rule of st. St benedict lived in the 5th century, and wrote his famous rule as a practical guide for abbots and brother monks living together in a monastic community.
Today, nonmonastic readers approach the rule in order to think about changing their lives. 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. Having recently read the benedict option i wanted to read what his rule was for monks. Benedicts rule for monastic living has been soul inspiring and formative for countless numbers of persons who have lived as monks, nuns, priests, deacons. Simple reflections for a deeper spiritual life simple reflections for a deeper spiritual life of contemplation and prayer with the rule of st. Modestly described by its author as a little rule for beginners, this masterpiece of spiritual wisdom dates from the sixth century. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source. The single most important document on monastic life that helped to shape western society composed in italy around 530 ad but based on earlier compilations, the rule of st benedict has been the defining guide to daily prayer and work for benedictine communities for fifteen centuries. Understand with willing mind and effectually fulfil thy holy father s admonition. Benedict, for having compiled the divine code of conduct, after experiencing it, and setting an example by following it.
Sign me up to get more news about nonfiction books. Founder of a monastery at monte cassino, between rome and naples, in the sixth century, st benedict intended his rule to be. The rule of saint benedict regula benedicti is a book of precepts written by. Benedict by saint benedict, abbot of monte cassino. The rule of saint benedict regula benedicti is a book of precepts written by st. This volume, translated and with an introduction by anthony meisel and m. The rule itself is the best witness to benedicts life and character, showing us someone who was wise, kind, steeped in scripture and concise in expression. Benedicts rules of obedience, humility, and contemplation are not only prerequisites for formal religious societies. The inspirational work that has been guiding benedictine monks for fifteen centuries 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. Benedicts rule for monasteries by abbot of monte cassino saint benedict free ebook project gutenberg. It is a good example of the statement, good things come in small packages. While at the monastery, i acquired a copy of the 1980 rule of st. Benedict of nursia for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot.
In fact, there is something very english about benedict, with his calmness, his gift for organization and his occasional touches of humour. Several contemporary scholarly and literary translations of the rule into. Benedict regula benedicti was written by benedict c. Dwight longenecker on how 6thcentury wisdom can be used today. Anthony were purely eremetical, whilst those who followed the rule of st. Minnesota, where i live is getting a snow storm as i write this blog entry. This book is the perfect, simple, well translated rule of st.
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