Bryce H.
As a whole, “The Benedictine Rule” serves as more than just a rulebook for monks but also a guidebook or handbook. This document would answer most of the questions a young monk may have. Organized by chapter and subject, this book is rather easy to navigate to the guide. The reason a guidebook is more accurate than a rulebook is because this books serves to teach and explain more than just rules of a monastery. One example is found in chapter 1. This first chapter describes the four types of monks found in the world. There are two that are honored and regarded as correct paths and another two, which are detestable and are a “disgraceful way of life” (Rosenwein, pg. 29). Following this teaching section is a brief overview of how each monk is to live their life, not in a day-to-day fashion or by rules but the actions of a monk for the community. Only after laying the groundwork for how to be a good monk, do the rules for day-to-day use begin. These rules get specific, sleeping arrangements, how and when to pray depending on the day, eat and drink, and clothing. The main takeaway for this text is that there is more to being a monk that a set of rules; it is a way of life.
In the prologue, the St. Benedict describes the life of a monk as going to battle. At first glance this seems very out of place because monks are supposed to be people of peace not of war. However, this notion of a monk being a soldier of Christ is a spiritual battle. It is a daily battle for a monk to adhere to the strict rules of a monastic order (Rosenwein, pg. 28-29). A battle that strives to honor God in all that they do, from morning to night and dusk to dawn. To fight this battle the monks are expected to have certain qualities and values. These values include respecting the seniority of the other monks, humility, teaching from the bible in a correct manner and not of their own means, and lastly to be obedient to the rules of the monastery and bible (Rosenwein, pg. 29-31). A day in the life of a monk must include all of these qualities to be an effective monk. Monks are expected to pray seven times a day in roughly three-hour increments including Lauds, Primes, Terces, Sexts, Nones, Vespers and lastly Complines. Each of these liturgical prayers are used to establish a routine of praise (Rosenwein, pg. 32). This praise is specific to God and is used to reflect the praise in the Psalms. It is the Psalms that serve as the example of not only how to pray but also why monks are to pray (Rosenwein, pg. 31).
As a whole, “The Benedictine Rule” serves as more than just a rulebook for monks but also a guidebook or handbook. This document would answer most of the questions a young monk may have. Organized by chapter and subject, this book is rather easy to navigate to the guide. The reason a guidebook is more accurate than a rulebook is because this books serves to teach and explain more than just rules of a monastery. One example is found in chapter 1. This first chapter describes the four types of monks found in the world. There are two that are honored and regarded as correct paths and another two, which are detestable and are a “disgraceful way of life” (Rosenwein, pg. 29). Following this teaching section is a brief overview of how each monk is to live their life, not in a day-to-day fashion or by rules but the actions of a monk for the community. Only after laying the groundwork for how to be a good monk, do the rules for day-to-day use begin. These rules get specific, sleeping arrangements, how and when to pray depending on the day, eat and drink, and clothing. The main takeaway for this text is that there is more to being a monk that a set of rules; it is a way of life.
In the prologue, the St. Benedict describes the life of a monk as going to battle. At first glance this seems very out of place because monks are supposed to be people of peace not of war. However, this notion of a monk being a soldier of Christ is a spiritual battle. It is a daily battle for a monk to adhere to the strict rules of a monastic order (Rosenwein, pg. 28-29). A battle that strives to honor God in all that they do, from morning to night and dusk to dawn. To fight this battle the monks are expected to have certain qualities and values. These values include respecting the seniority of the other monks, humility, teaching from the bible in a correct manner and not of their own means, and lastly to be obedient to the rules of the monastery and bible (Rosenwein, pg. 29-31). A day in the life of a monk must include all of these qualities to be an effective monk. Monks are expected to pray seven times a day in roughly three-hour increments including Lauds, Primes, Terces, Sexts, Nones, Vespers and lastly Complines. Each of these liturgical prayers are used to establish a routine of praise (Rosenwein, pg. 32). This praise is specific to God and is used to reflect the praise in the Psalms. It is the Psalms that serve as the example of not only how to pray but also why monks are to pray (Rosenwein, pg. 31).