thumb|upright=1.75|The oldest copy of the Rule of Saint Benedict, from the 8th century (Oxford, [[Bodleian Library, MS. Hatton 48, fols. 6v–7r)]]

The Rule of Saint Benedict () is a book of precepts written in Latin by St. Benedict of Nursia () for monks living communally under the authority of an abbot.

The spirit of Saint Benedict's Rule is summed up in the motto of the Benedictine Confederation: ("peace") and the traditional ora et labora ("pray and work"). Compared to other precepts, the Rule provides a moderate path between individual zeal and formulaic institutionalism; because of this middle ground, it has been widely popular. Benedict's concerns were his views of the needs of monks in a community environment: namely, to establish due order, to foster an understanding of the relational nature of human beings, and to provide a spiritual father to support and strengthen the individual's ascetic effort and the spiritual growth that is required for the fulfillment of the human vocation, theosis.

The Rule of Saint Benedict has been used by Benedictines for 15 centuries, and thus St Benedict is sometimes regarded as the founder of Western monasticism due to the reforming influence that his rules had on the contemporary Catholic hierarchy. There is, however, no evidence to suggest that Benedict intended to found a religious order in the modern sense, and it was not until the Late Middle Ages that mention was made of an "Order of Saint Benedict". His Rule was written as a guide for individual, autonomous communities: all Benedictine Houses (and the Congregations in which they have grouped themselves) still remain self-governing. Advantages seen in retaining this unique Benedictine emphasis on autonomy include cultivating models of tightly-bonded communities and contemplative lifestyles. Perceived disadvantages comprise geographical isolation from important activities in adjacent communities. Other perceived losses include inefficiency and lack of mobility in the service of others, and insufficient appeal to potential members. These different emphases emerged within the framework of the Rule in the course of history and are to some extent present within the Benedictine Confederation and the Cistercian Orders of the Common and the Strict Observance.

Origins

thumb|Saint Benedict writing the rules. Painting (1926) by [[Hermann Nigg (1849–1928).]]

Christian monasticism first appeared in the Egyptian desert, before Benedict of Nursia. Under the inspiration of Saint Anthony the Great (251–356), ascetic monks led by Saint Pachomius (286–346) formed the first Christian monastic communities under what became known as an Abbot, from the Aramaic abba (father).

Within a generation, both solitary as well as communal monasticism became very popular and spread outside of Egypt towards the Southern Levant, first to the Canaan (region) and the Judean Desert and thence to Syria and North Africa. Saint Basil of Caesarea codified the precepts for these eastern monasteries in his Ascetic Rule, or Ascetica, which is still used today in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

In the West in about the year 500, Benedict became so upset by the immorality of society in Rome that he gave up his studies there, at age fourteen, and chose the life of an ascetic monk in the pursuit of personal holiness, living as a hermit in a cave near the rugged region of Subiaco. In time, setting an example with his zeal, he began to attract disciples. After considerable initial struggles with his first community at Subiaco, he eventually founded the monastery of Monte Cassino in 529, where he wrote his Rule near the end of his life.

In chapter 73, Saint Benedict commends the Rule of Saint Basil and alludes to further authorities. He was probably aware of the Rule written by Pachomius (or attributed to him), and his Rule also shows influence by the Rule of St Augustine of Hippo and the writings of Saint John Cassian. Benedict's greatest debt, however, may be to the anonymous document known as the Rule of the Master, which Benedict seems to have radically excised, expanded, revised and corrected in the light of his own considerable experience and insight. Saint Benedict's work expounded upon preconceived ideas that were present in the religious community only making minor changes more in line with the time period relevant to his system.

The Rule was translated into Armenian by Nerses of Lampron in the 10th century and is used by the Armenian Catholic Mekhitarists today. It was also translated into Old English by Æthelwold of Winchester.

Overview

The Rule opens with a hortatory preface, drawing on the Admonitio ad filium spiritualem, in which Saint Benedict sets forth the main principles of the religious life, viz.: the renunciation of one's own will and arming oneself "with the strong and noble weapons of obedience" under the banner of "the true King, Christ the Lord" (Prol. 3). He proposes to establish a "school for the Lord's service" (Prol. 45) in which the "way to salvation" (Prol. 48) shall be taught, so that by persevering in the monastery till death his disciples may "through patience share in the passion of Christ that [they] may deserve also to share in his Kingdom" (Prol. 50, passionibus Christi per patientiam participemur, ut et regno eius mereamur esse consortes; note: Latin and have the same root, cf. Fry, RB 1980, p.167).

  • Chapter 1 defines four kinds of monk:
  1. Cenobites, those "in a monastery, where they serve under a rule and an abbot".
  2. Anchorites, or hermits, who, after long successful training in a monastery, are now coping single-handedly with only God for their help.thumb|Regula, 1495
  3. Sarabaites, living by twos and threes together or even alone, with no experience, rule and superior, and thus a law unto themselves.
  • Chapter 5 prescribes prompt, ungrudging, and absolute obedience to the superior in all things lawful, although they are not to associate with the rest of the community except by special permission. or parish).

Many Benedictine Houses have a number of Oblates (secular) who are affiliated with them in prayer, having made a formal private promise (usually renewed annually) to follow the Rule of St Benedict in their private life as closely as their individual circumstances and prior commitments permit.

In recent years discussions have occasionally been held concerning the applicability of the principles and spirit of the Rule of Saint Benedict to the secular working environment.

Reforms

During the more than 1500 years of their existence, Benedictines have seen cycles of flourish and decline. Several reform movements sought more intense devotion to both the letter and spirit of the Rule of St Benedict, at least as they understood it. Examples include the Camaldolese, the Cistercians, the Trappists (a reform of the Cistercians), and the Sylvestrines.

Secular significance

Charlemagne had Benedict's Rule copied and distributed to encourage monks throughout western Europe to follow it as a standard. Beyond its religious influences, the Rule of St Benedict was one of the most important written works to shape medieval Europe, embodying the ideas of a written constitution and the rule of law. It also incorporated a degree of democracy in a non-democratic society, and dignified manual labor.

Although not stated explicitly in the rule, the motto Ora et labora (pray and work) is widely considered to be a shortform capturing the spirit of the rule.

See also

  • Rule of Saint Augustine
  • Rule of Saint Basil
  • Benedictine rite
  • Columban Rule
  • Rule of the Master
  • Rule of Saint Albert
  • Latin Rule
  • Customary (liturgy)

References

Further reading

  • R. W. Southern, Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages. Pelican, 1970
  • Henry Mayr-Harting, The Venerable Bede, the Rule of St Benedict, and Social Class. Jarrow Lecture 1976; Jarrow: Rector of Jarrow, 1976.
  • Christopher Derrick, The Rule of Peace: St. Benedict and the European Future. Still River, Mass.: St. Bede's Publications. 2002.

, translated by Leonard J. Doyle

  • The Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, translated by Boniface Verheyen
  • https://digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/5d0e482b-2222-455a-b75e-d8ca73e93c6b/ Online scanned images of complete late 10th or early 11th century copy of the Rule of St. Benedict in Latin (Corpus Christi College Oxford University UK)]
  • An Introduction to the Rule by Jerome Theisen, former Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation
  • The Rule of Saint Benedict in Latin
  • Rule of St. Benedict—Ep. 1—Foundations of Monastic Life Free audiobook at Catholicculture.org
  • Rule of St. Benedict—Ep. 2—Prayer and Community Life Free audiobook at Catholicculture.org
  • Rule of St. Benedict—Ep. 3—Work, Governance, and Conclusion Free audiobook at Catholicculture.org