RB 1980 : the rule of St. Benedict in Latin and English with notes

Full of common sense and just as applicable to life now as it was hundreds of years ago.

Important book in the history of the priesthood, most especially the Dominicans.

The large font and eye-pleasing format make this beautiful book perfect for reading daily after the divine office.

Doyle’s 1948 translation of the Rule of St. Benedict is my favorite because of its beauty and grace. His translation can be found in several book forms. This is a beautiful hardcover

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version published in 2001.

This book was “published in conjunction with the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of The Liturgical Press.” This beautiful book is printed in two colors on a “70 pound Cougar Opaque natural vellum finish sheet, with an 80 pound Cougar natural text end-sheet. It is casebound in a Cialux cover with leaf foil stamps.”

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Wore out but wonderful still

A venerable organization manual and employee's handbook that has been useful for fifteen centuries.

This is a tight, sharp, clean little work. Benedict is clear and precise, with limited words. His rules seem a bit strict to my modern mind (not a fan of the idea of beating children) but I understand that during the time, this was acceptable and even laudable. My inherent mistrust of humans causes

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me to ask whether Benedict's rule would work - there is much room for the miss-use of power. The answer, of course, is that each monk should be so devoted to Christ that he exudes the humility and kindness of the Lord. But humans are notoriously prone to self-interest and to the use of religious belief and the name of God to further their own agenda.
That aside, this was a worthwhile read. To understand how the Benedictine monks lived, and to perhaps find wisdom for living ones own life. One doesn't need to be a monk to require advice on how to deal with other humans in a manner pleasing to God. This book offers excellent assistance in that area: worth reading and worth buying.

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A fresh translation of the Rule of Benedict, from sixth century Italy.

The introductory materials and translation with notes are strong. The translator does well to welcome the reader into the world of sixth century Italy, the life of Benedict, and what precipitated the establishment of his Rule.

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The translation is very clear in modern English, and the notes are helpful for understanding for those who may not be familiar with the language of the monastery.

The substance of the Rule has become the basis of the Benedictine family of monasteries and part of the basis of all other monastic orders of the West. Benedict focused highly on a lot of the practical details about life in a monastic setting: everything from the purpose of being a monk to details about how meals ought to be governed and when various psalms should be read.

This is a helpful edition of the Rule for a modern audience. There are many principles which all can benefit from in terms of discipline and spirituality in the faith. On the whole, however, one can see the challenges that arise from such a hierarchical understanding of all relationships, and where danger might arise in considering the abbot as Jesus Himself. We can understand the impulse to withdraw into the contemplative life, and certainly can appreciate the need for seasons of contemplation and periods of contemplation - but Jesus lived in and among the people, and His people should be as well.

**--galley received as part of book review program

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Really good reading.