Benedictine Wisdom 
Instruction on the Rule by the great early thinkers of the Benedictine order.
God is always present
Expect a twofold help from God in the course of your spiritual life: correction and consolation. One controls the exterior, the other works within; the first curbs arrogance, the latter inspires trust; the first begets humility, the latter strengthens the faint-hearted; the first makes one discreet, the latter devout. The first imbues us with fear… Read More ›
The simplicity of the soul
Unlikeness means, not that the likeness has been destroyed, but that it has been concealed by something else which has been laid over it. The soul has not in fact put off her original form but has put on one foreign to her. The latter is an addition; the former has not been lost. This… Read More ›
Does not love make amends?
I will flee from the sight of the anger of the Lord and go to a place of refuge, to that zeal of mercy which burns sweetly and wholly purifies. Does not love make amends? Truly it does powerfully. I have read that it covers a multitude of sins. But I would ask this: is… Read More ›
The love of the Lord for each of us
The Lord of the universe has prevented us, visited us, assisted us; that sovereign majesty has willed to die that we might live, willed to serve that we might reign, willed to suffer exile that we might be brought home, willed to stoop to the meanest services that he might set us over the works… Read More ›
The Lord must guide our hearts
. . . of this much we must be sure. Never by our sole diligence or zeal nor by our most tireless efforts can we reach perfection. Human zeal is not enough to win the sublime rewards of blessedness. The Lord must be there to help us and to guide our hearts toward what is… Read More ›
The Soul remains unshaken
Unlikeness means, not that the likeness has been destroyed, but that it has been concealed by something else which has been laid over it. The soul has not in fact put off her original form but has put on one foreign to her. The latter is an addition; the former has not been lost. This… Read More ›
Wisdom is more powerful than anything
There is many a consolation to relieve the torment of a guilty conscience. God is kind and does not let us be tempted beyond our strength. Especially at the beginning of our conversion, he anoints our wounds with the oil of mercy so that the acute nature of our sickness and the difficulty of the… Read More ›
I have found him whom my soul loves
`I found him,’ the soul says, ‘I found him’, though previously he sought and found me like a stray sheep, like a lost coin, and in his mercy anticipated me. He forestalled me, I say, in finding me when I was lost. He anticipated me, though I deserved nothing. He found me astray, he anticipated… Read More ›
We are the ones wounded
With what oil abounding was Christ anointed! From his bounty he poured oil into all our wounds! Yes, we are the wounded man who went down to Jericho, fell among brigands, was robbed, and wounded and left half dead. Too many passed by and there was not one to save his life. That great patriarch… Read More ›
Recognize your dignity — you are precious
O image of God, recognize your dignity; let the effigy of your Creator shine forth in you. Purify yourself, train yourself in godliness, and you shall find the kingdom of God within you. To yourself you seem of little worth, but in reality you are precious. Be wholly present to yourself and employ yourself wholly… Read More ›