This rulebook for the monastic life was written by benedict around 530. Sep 22, 2015 free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. 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. Editions of the rule of saint benedict by benedict of nursia. 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 fifteen hundred years later. Spirituality for daily life a critical study of the. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app.
This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source. This actually makes it earlier, as a document, than some of the ones in the early church volume. Benedict of nursia for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot. Benedict has governed monastic communities for centuries, but it is far more than a standard religious text. One of the most wellknown and beloved male saints today, st. The rule of saint benedict regula benedicti is a book of precepts written by. This book contains a thorough set of principles for. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Short of the brief history of how the rule came to pass, it is purely the rule with little explication.
During the 1500 years of its existence, it has become the leading guide in western christianity for monastic living in community. Written in the sixth century by the father of monasticism, st. In this kindle version, it is preserved in solid english, with a guide to reading it day by day. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. The rule of benedict is not a treatise in systematic theology. Ad 480547 as a rule for communal life under the order of an abbot the head of the abbey. The rule of saint benedict by benedict of nursia, seeking god. Written by a spiritual father for his children, the rule of st. He is often called the founder of western monasticism. Benedict himself, thiscommonsense guide to living a truly christian life is applicable to anyone, in or outside of the cloister. For fifteen centuries, it has served as a leading guide for balanced monastic living. Regula sancti benedicti is a book of precepts written in 516 by benedict of nursia c.
This englishonly edition also contains a preface by rev. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Benedicts rule for monasteries by abbot of monte cassino saint benedict free ebook project gutenberg. My rule was fairly simple entailing daily bible reading, prayer, study, church attendance, retreats and fasting. Saint johns abbey has suspended all public attendance for mass and the liturgy of the hours. Ad 480550 for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot. Composed nearly fifteen hundred years ago by the father of western monasticism, the rule of st. Complete summary of saint benedict of nursias rule of st. Benedict regula benedicti was written by benedict c. One of his most well known achievement is his rule of saint benedict, containing precepts for his monks. A spirituality for the 21st century spiritual legacy series the rule of benedict for beginners. Saint benedict, by frances alice forbes, weaves skillfully the story of the life of this great saint.
They set the tone of the rule, which is mostly a pastiche of scriptural citations heavily dependent on the wisdom books. Benedict wrote for monks e arly in the 6th century preferring noth ing whatever to christ rb 4. Let this book be an introduction to the writing of a man who will change your life. Authentic personal details are principally found in the second dialogue, written by pope gregory the great pope from 590 to 604 a. Benedict provides tangible advice regarding how a community of christians can cultivate contented souls that are modest and free from want. Saint benedict benedict, saint, abbot of monte cassino. The spirit of saint benedicts rule is summed up in the motto of the benedictine confederation. Since about the 7th century it has also been adopted by communities of women. Sep 01, 2005 dating back 1500 years, the rule of st. Discover the wisdom behind the writings and practices of st.
A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Benedict in english the extraordinary education of nicholas benedict the mysterious benedict society the rule of benedict. This early monastic rule is part of the wisdom tradition of christianity and is rooted in the bible for its inspiration and its end. Although written for monastics, many of the issues addressed in the rule can be applied to life in the world outside the monastic community. Composed nearly fifteen hundred years ago by the father. Catholic devotional prayers and novenas mp3 audio downloads and text 1. If any man of good station offer his son to god in the monastery and the boy himself be still very young, let his parents draw up the petition which we mentioned above. Sep 11, 2015 librivox recording of saint benedict by mother frances alice monica forbes, rscj. Benedict is not only an ideal guide for the individual wishing to follow the benedictine path. 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 teaches the importance of contemplation and silence, of solitude, and the power of community and unity.
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 mountains of southern italy. Librivox recording of saint benedict by mother frances alice monica forbes, rscj. 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. The life of saint benedict, patriarch of the western monks.
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. This book is the perfect, simple, well translated rule of st. Benedicts concerns were the needs of monks in a community environment. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. Dec 30, 2015 the immortal opening words of the rule of st. The spirituality of the rule of saint benedict a bibliocentric spirituality. Benedicts rules of obedience, humility, and contemplation are not only prerequisites for formal religious societies. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in benedicts order, rule or monastic life. Daily reading from the rule of benedict benedictine sisters. Benedict and gather insight as to why our new pope chose the name benedict xvi. The spirituality of the rule of st benedict julian freeman. Benedict in english i have free access to download and read the book online. During three years of solitude and meditation in a cave, st.
Prologue verse 17 benedictine abbey of christ in the desert. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Benedict, a text written in the sixth century for monks living in community, contains wisdom that can be applied to the questions and pressing needs of the 21 st century for those seeking purpose, inclusivity and connectioncatholic and protestant, professed monks, religious leaders, benedictine oblates and spiritual seekers. For its general character and also its illustration of st. Benedict has for centuries been the guide of religious communities. Benedicts own life, see the article saint benedict. When examining the spirituality of benedict of nursia in his rule, it is impossible to not begin by emphasizing the important role that the bible played in his life. The rule of saint benedict regula benedicti is a book of. The rule of saint benedict by benedict of nursia goodreads.
The way of st benedict the rule of st benedict has much to. This is shown first and foremost by the overwhelming number of quotations of and allusions to. Thei life i of saintbenedict, patriarchofihalestentponlis. Benedict in english and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. The rule is, above all, a handbook for living a deliberate life no matter your religious background or beliefs.
Benedict is widely studied, and rightfully revered for his austerity and holiness. Saint benedict took material from many other sources, as did the rule of the master, and formed that material into his own rule. Benedict explains the responsibilities of the abbott, or community leader, in whose care rests the welfare of the communitys members. Prologue we are about to found therefore a school for the lords service. This full commentary predominately literary and historical criticism is based on and includes a latin text of regula benedicti liturgical press. Years ago i became an associate with the order of holy cross, which is benedictine in nature. Benedict wrote a set of rules governing his monks, the rule of saint benedict, one of the more influential documents in western civilization. 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 teaches us about happiness, meaning, and community. The rule of saint benedick in latin regula sancti benedicti public domain audiobook at librivox in latin and english. Benedict remains today a powerful and a relevant guide for individuals who seek god in the ordinary circumstances of daily life. Compared to other precepts, the rule provides a moderate path between individual zeal and formulaic institutionalism. Regula sancti benedicti is a book of precepts written in 516. Saint benedict benedict, saint, abbot of monte cassino online books about this author are available, as is a wikipedia article benedict, saint, abbot of monte cassino. Benedict to any community setting, whether in the monastery or i your family. Its logic is the logic of daily life lived in christ and lived well. Always wanderers and never settled, they are slaves to their own pleasures and the snares.
Since about the 7th century it has been adopted with equal success by communities of women. Benedict in english timothy fry, timothy horner, imogene baker on. Benedict in english book, i provide downloads as a pdf, kindle, word, txt, ppt, rar and zip. The rule of saint benedict regula benedicti is a book of precepts written by st.
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