From the Rule of St. Benedict (Ch. 49) The life of a monastic should have about it at all times the character of a Lenten observance. Yet since few have the virtue for that, we therefore urge that during the actual days of Lent the community keep their lives most pure and at the sameContinue reading “Lent as Life”
Tag Archives: prayer
Ora et Labora
In Chapter 48 of his Rule for Monasteries, Benedict wrote: “Idleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the brothers and sisters should be occupied at certain times in manual labor, and again at fixed hours in sacred reading….” Ora et labora—prayer and labor—was Benedict’s motto. In the Rule, Benedict extols the virtues of physical labor asContinue reading “Ora et Labora”
Lenten Reassurance
“Seven times in the day,” Benedict writes, quoting the psalmist, “I have rendered praise to You” (Ps. 119:164). In Chapters 17 and 18 of the Rule, Benedict goes on to specify the order of psalms to be said at the smaller offices throughout the day: Terce (mid-morning), Sext (mid-day) and None (mid-afternoon). “At Terce, SextContinue reading “Lenten Reassurance”
Scholastica
Today is the feast day of St. Scholastica, Benedict’s twin sister. The two siblings were born around 480 to a Roman noble family in Nursia, Italy. Although little is known of her early life, she founded a religious community for women five miles from Monte Cassino where her brother was abbot. Following her brother’s example of totalContinue reading “Scholastica”
Improbable Benedictine 