Tag: Rule
Seven Reasons You’re Still Hungry
St. Benedict regulated the intake of food and spirits for his monks (see chapters 39-41 of the Rule). It is something for us all to live up to but for most of us dealing with everyday temptation we often fall short of the ideal. The principle reason is we were “craving” a particular food. Perhaps… Read More ›
Being Beloved Children of God (Part 1)
Sons of God. Obsculta, fili or Obsculta, o fili, Saint Benedict says [1]. Most translations mistranslate that. Usually the translations say, “Listen, my son.” That is not what Saint Benedict said. He said “Listen, O son.” He is speaking to us precisely in our dignity and reality as sons. We have been baptized into Christ,… Read More ›
Breakfast with Benedict
Oblates are invited to attend a monthly “Breakfast with Benedict” being sponsored by Belmont Abbey College. The breakfast will begin at 7:45 AM At each Breakfast with Benedict event, a member of the college or monastic community will provide a 15- or 20-minute reflection on one of the Benedictine hallmarks and the role that hallmark/charism/virtue… Read More ›
Without monasticism, Protestants miss out on community
CLYDE, Mo. NCR — Sr. Dawn, who met us when we arrived at the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration monastery here, used to be what I still am — a Presbyterian. Same story with Sr. Sean, the prioress. Same with two old friends whom my wife and I accompanied on a recent Sunday visit to… Read More ›
Brief Rule of St. Romuald
Sit in your cell as in paradise; put the whole world behind you and forget it; like a skilled angler on the lookout for a catch keep a careful eye on your thoughts. The path you follow is in the psalms — don’t leave it. If you’ve come with a novice’s enthusiasm and can’t accomplish… Read More ›
Honor and Deceit
Recently a young man was presented his Eagle Award. Just before the presentation the speaker talked about what is a central theme of the Scouting movement, Honor. A Scout pledges on his honor to do all that is expected of him as a scout, family member, and citizen. To violate his honor could mean forfeiture… Read More ›
Zeal
As we just heard in chapter fifty-eight of the Rule about receiving our brethren, Benedict says to see if the newcomer truly seeks God. The signs for that are in three zeals. Zeal is defined as eagerness in this text of the RB 1980. The Latin sollicitus means zeal. Zeal for the work of God,… Read More ›
The Safest and Soundest Foundations of Society
25. Furthermore, all the classes of society, if they studiously and seriously examine the life, teaching and glorious achievements of St. Benedict, cannot but fall under the influence of his gentle but powerful inspiration; indeed they will spontaneously recognize that even our age troubled and anxious for the vast material and moral ruins, perils and… Read More ›
Commentaries on the Rule Of St. Benedict
Several Oblates have asked for suggestions on commentaries on the Rule of St. Benedict (RB). The list is too exhaustive to list. Commentaries can be broken into three primary groups; devotional, line by line (exegesis), and a combination of the two. But before listing various commentaries, please remember that there are also quite a number… Read More ›
To put nothing before the love of Christ
“To Christ belongs everything we can do; we live because he quickens us, we move and have our being because he enlivens us, we love because he first loved us. It was out of love he created and quickened us, nourished and guarded us; he led us to the bath of rebirth, renewed us, governed… Read More ›