Introducing Benedict’s Rule:
A Program of Formation
by Michael CASEY ocso and David TOMLINS ocso
250 p.
ABOUT THE BOOK
I received this English book from a German publisher who requested me to translate it into French. The French edition will soon be published by the same publisher.
If you are interested in delving deeper into the Rule of Saint Benedict (Saint Benedict’s dates are 480–547, this is the perfect book for you. Through its 18 chapters, both authors study the main themes of the Rule. As it is mainly a tool of study, they do it in a straightforward way. There’s a great balance between:
– the study aspects, for instance the study of the sources (of course a lot the Rule of the Master – but also Cassian, Basil, etc), and how Benedict uses and modifies them
– the connection between the Rule and how we can live it today. This book is directly addressed to monks and nuns living under the Rule of Saint Benedict, but it can very well be applied, as the Rule itself, to any Christian living in the world today. The chapter 5 on humility is but one of many possible other examples.As a matter of fact, there are many groups out there trying to follow this Rule of Life in their daily life as married couples, etc. Here is a link to an international group. To check if there’s such a group in your region, click here, where the groups are ordered by country.
Both authors alternate: chapter 1 is by one author, chapter 2 by the other, etc.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Both authors are Australian Trappist monks. David is the abbot of the monastery of Tarrawarra, Michael is the Vocation Director, as well as the librarian, I think. Michael Casey has published many books and articles on religious topics. He always provides excellent material in a direct style not deprived of humor. Several of his books are available on Amazon.
Tarrawarra Abbey has its Facebook page.
They also publish great free podcasts: they are about 10 mn long each, on each verse of the Prologue of Saint Benedict, by Michael Casey himself. They are excellent.
HAVE YOU READ THE RULE OF SAINT BENEDICT ?
OR ANY STUDY ON IT?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN IT?
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN A COMMENT PLEASE
Words And Peace 
I have the Rule in English and Italian and commentries such as Seeking God by Esther de Waal.
The Rule encourages a balanced way of life for lay people as well as those who have a religious vocation.
LikeLike
Hello Linda, I totally agree. Benedict’s view is so balanced, that’s his great contribution to spiritual life, in the world or in monasteries. I love Esther’s books as well. I almost got to translate Seeking God in French last year, I may do it this year. May I know how you found me? I’m just curious, as I would like my blog to be more visible. Was it through my Bloggiesta comment recently, as I see you posted something on that as well? I just went to your blog and loved the beauty of it, so I’ve added it to my google reader. Thanks for posting a comment
LikeLike
I know very little about St. Benedict, but I do like that you mention how his ideas are relevant today.
LikeLike
Thanks Jen for stopping by. Here is another book, much more accessible here in the US, that does show how Benedict’s Rule written for 6th century monks is very relevant today for people, couples included, in our present world: http://www.amazon.com/Seeking-God-Way-St-Benedict/dp/0814613888/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1296451933&sr=1-1. It is a good and easy read. Thanks for your blog. I follow you
LikeLike
Pingback: Read in January 2011 « Words And Peace
Pingback: My Dewey Decimal Challenge 2011 « Words And Peace