The Rule of St. Benedict: An Introduction to the Contemplative Life

When I was a teenager, I joked that I wanted to become a monk–a bit of a stretch for a non-Catholic female. I was delighted to learn that St. Benedict’s saint day is on my birthday, so was eager to read his guide to a contemplative life.

It’s important to note that this is a new translation and interpretation of his Rule. I was expecting more biographical information and had I read the description more carefully, I would have realized that. Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful, easily readable translation of his Rule, which provides some guidelines applicable to everyday life in the twenty-first century. As we enter what is traditionally a very hectic time in people’s lives (perhaps not so much this year as others), it’s valuable to take a step back and consider how life was lived by religious communities more than a thousand years ago and consider how some of that can be translated and implemented today.

And also to speculate on the meaning of some of the advice that doesn’t age as well. #TheRuleOfStBenedict #NetGalley

As a newly minted Episcopalian Ive been learning about various church fathers and saints. The Rule of St. Benedict was fascinating. I appreciated the appendix that provided chapter and verse references for all the many verses St. Benedict quoted throughout his Rule.

Finally, a book for the general reader outlining the instructions St. Benedict set out for his order and honored by the devout everywhere.

Footnotes and further readings abound. The scholar should acknowledge the book but the casual Christian will be welcomed into its pages.

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