Benedictine
Life at
St. Paul's
|
BENEDICTINE
BOOKS
A reading plan for
would-be Benedictines:
Beginning
-
deWaal, Esther
Seeking God:
The Way of St. Benedict
-
Benedict, Saint
Rule of Saint
Benedict, translated by Leonard Doyle
-
Vest, Norvene Preferring
Christ:
A Devotional Commentary & Workbook on the Rule of Saint Benedict
Intermediate
-
Chittester,
Joan Wisdom Distilled
from the Daily
-
Kardong,
Lawrence The
Benedictines
Supplementary
-
Herman, Nicolas
The Practice
of the Presence of God
-
Henry, Patrick, ed.
Benedict's
Dharma: Buddhists Reflect on the Rule of Benedict
-
Norris,
Kathleeen Cloister
Walk
-
Taylor, Brian C.
Spirituality
for Everyday Living: An Adaptation of the Rule of St. Benedict.
Building Communities
-
Wittberg, Patricia
Pathways
to Re-Creating Religious Communities
-
Gladwell,
Malcolm Tipping
Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
|
Atwell, Robert,
et al.
Benedictine
Handbook.
Collegeville, MN:
Liturgical Press,
c2003, 350 p.
The stated aim
of this book is to
provide "a lifelong companion," and while it has many virtues, it is
not
that. It is telling that for all the contributors, there is no
one
who claims to be editor. With a little editing, it could have
achieved
its goal. It has the complete Rule of Benedict in
gender-inclusive
language, but the sections are not dated, so if you want to read one
daily
-- as many people do -- it would be difficult. The book is at its
best when it presents short chapters on various specific aspects
written
by different authors. Unfortunately, there is no index to access
them readily. Finally, it has prayers, although you can find many
of the same ones in a more felicitous form in either the
Book of Common
Prayer
or the Daily Office. The book is worth reading once, but
as
a reference book it is less than the sum of its parts.
*****
|
Bonomo, Carol
The
Abbey Up the Hill.
Morehouse, 2002,
238 p.
The personal
observations of a woman
preparing to be a Benedictine oblate. The author by her own
admission
is shallow, whiny, cranky, difficult, disloyal, and
self-obsessed.
It is a credit to the Benedictines that they were able to work with
her,
but one is not left with any confidence that she will not shave her
head
and become a Buddhist nun as soon as the Benedictine oblate novelty
wears
off.
For the first
ten chapters, she
takes her emotional temperature continuously and reports on it in
eminently
tiresome detail. She laments that she is always an outsider but
has
difficulty understanding how that connects with her personality.
In the last two chapters she mellows a bit and apparently finds some
direction
and peace.
The master of
oblates continually
urges her to engage in lectio with more gravitas, and she eventually
does.
Unfortunately, she has written a book in the same spiritual-lite genre
that she was supposed to grow out of. If you already have a
mustard
seed of spiritual maturity, this book is a side road of little profit
and
not worth the effort and patience one must expend on it. If you
have
made it to age 47 and are still entirely unsettled, this may be just
the
book for you. Much smoke, but little fire.
*****
|
Bottomley, Frank
The Abbey
Explorer’s Guide: A Guide to Abbeys and Other Religious Houses.
Smith Settle, 1995,
449 p.
A guide to
abbeys in Great Britain
that also happens to contain a great deal of general information about
monastic life. As such, it is an inexpensive substitute for those
who cannot afford the $355 two-volume Dictionary of Monasticism
or choose not to go into such enormous detail. Arranged in
dictionary format, it is fairly easy to look things up. The
British
English does not really account for the use of obscure terms like dorter
for dormitory or frater for refectory. It hinders
comprehension,
so what's the point? The first edition was published in
1981.
The updating resulted in a few blind references, apparently some
headings
were changed, but not all see or see also notes.
They
must have been in a terrible hurry to get this edition published, since
there are also frequent typos.
*****
for
British monastic architecture
*****
for general monasticism reference
|
Chittester, Joan
Wisdom
Distilled from the Daily.
HarperSanFranciso,
c1990, 216p.
It is easier to
live the Benedictine
way of life than explain it, but Sister Joan has the gift of explaining
it in such a Benedictine manner that you can feel the life being lived
in her prose. It is modest, patient, thorough, and kind.
You
don't so much gather collect factoids as get bathed in wisdom, like a
spa
for the soul. Even when she says hard things, she does it in such
a loving way that a person of good will would find it hard to take
offense.
Listen with a critical
ear for the sound
of the Gospel in everything you do. And don't do what isn't a
Gospel
act, no matter who says so, no matter who orders it, no matter how
sacred
the institution that demands it. Or else the Holocaust. Or
else the Inquisition. Or else Watergate and Irangate. Or
else
power before truth.
One hopes you hear
the sound of the
Gospel in that.
While she covers
all aspects of
Benedictine thought, the theme throughout is conversatio morum
--
conversion of life. Despite her warm tone, the author's devotion
has fire, and this might be a little intimidating if you're not already
familiar with Benedictinism. You would do well to read Esther
deWaal,
Norvene Vest, and the Rule of Benedict first.
When you're
ready for it, this is
a rare and beautiful book, and a must read for anyone sincere about
conversion
of life.
*****
|
Derkse, Wil
The
Rule of Benedict for Beginners: Spirituality for Daily Life.
Liturgical Press,
2003, 90p.
One may learn
wonderful things in
this book, but the English is forced into a Dutch syntax and the effect
is not felicitous:
There was a change on two
tracks: from
“being interested in” to “being committed to” a Benedictine lifestyle;
from the feeling “it does me good” to the call to lead a life, from the
inspiration “that it might do me good,” not in my monastic refuge, but
in my everyday context of family, work and social life.
That's not prose;
it's peanut butter.
And there is a surfeit of this glop between the few kernels of
wisdom.
Anglicans should be too spoiled by the inspired writing of the Book
of Common Prayer to settle for such stuff. This reviewer does
not subscribe to the notion that something must be painful to be
good.
One never doubts the author's sincerity, but he and his translator have
inadvertently conspired to turn the silk purse of Benedictinism into a
sow's ear.
*****
for bread
*****
for
circuses
|
deWaal, Esther
Seeking
God: The Way of St. Benedict.
Liturgical Press,
2001, 163p.
This slim volume
is an excellent
overview of St. Benedict's thought. Its kind and thorough
presentation
is reflective of Benedictinism itself, so readers will come away with
both
knowledge of, and a feel for the life. Used at selected
monasteries
for oblate formation and probably the best introduction
available.
In Benedictinism, one's religion is not terribly important, but deWaal
is an Anglican, so you'll feel right at home.
*****
|
Doyle, Leonard,
trans.
Rule
of Saint Benedict.
Liturgical Press,
c2001, 159p.
There are many
different translations
of the Rule of Benedict. Let's face it; it's a technical book
written
for monks 1200 years ago. At its worst, it can be dry as dust
with
prose as uninspired as an army technical manual. The Doyle
translation
is the most literary of those currently available. The paper and
the typography are also the best available. The book is a
pleasure
to hold and to read. This is the version that the monks at St.
Gregory's
Abbey use. Finally, the text is split up by date, so that you can
read a short passage daily as monastics and other disciples of St.
Benedict
around the world do. It is unfathomable why any copy of the Rule
would not have this feature, but some don't. Even if you can't
foresee
yourself ever reading the rule day by day, it is good to have the
option.
*****
|
de Dreuil, Mayeul
From
East to West: A History of Monasticism.
New York:
Crossroad, 1999, 137
p.
Seventy pages of
this slim volume
surveys pre-Christian monasticism, including not only Hindu and
Buddhist,
but also some Jewish analogues. Twenty-five pages covers Christian
monasticism,
and 15 pages deals with common themes in the various types of
monasticism.
Not a thorough treatment, but satisfying and thought-provoking
nonetheless.
A good foundation on which to build. Includes a chronology of
monastic
development, but oddly, no index.
*****
|
Gladwell, Malcolm
Tipping
Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference.
Boston: Little,
Brown, 2000, 279
p.
A fascinating
book, not about religion,
but how “social epidemics” start. How sometimes just a little
tweaking
can make an idea or institution “tip,” or take off. It boils down
to three factors:
-
The Law of
the Few – This is
an expansion of the 80/20 rule, in which it is posited 20% of the
congregants
do 80% of the work, or 20% of the parish takes 80% of the rector’s
time.
This can also work in a positive way if you can tap into that important
20%. There are three types to look for: Connecters, Mavens, and
Salesmen.
Connectors have a wide circle of acquaintances and keep their
connections
current. Mavens know how things work, and people rely on them to
explain things and sort through the chaff. Salesmen have an
ability
to generate trust, and to put the salient facts in an attractive
light.
All three types create word-of-mouth, and bring things to the attention
of a desired audience.
-
The
Stickiness Factor – Making
the message memorable and attractive. We are bombarded with
messages
everyday. Most float right back out of our consciousness, some
touch
a nerve and precipitate follow-up action and loyalty.
-
Power of
Context – The message
must be congruent with the times. Jesus, you may recall, appeared
“in the fullness of time,” and the message was one that responded to
the
times. Earlier or later might not have worked.
All of this put
together and explained
in a lucid way, sometimes with almost too many examples. The
prose
can be a little slick at times – this was written for a popular
audience
– but the message and the principles are good ones for those trying to
stimulate growth in their religious communities. It may help you
get rid of your iron pants. The approach is psychological, which
makes a good counterpoint to Patricia Widdicome’s sociological approach
in Pathways to
Re-Creating
Religious Communities. Alas, this book is not in St. Paul's
library,
but you can get it from your local public library.
*****
|
Hebron, Stephen
Life
in a Monastery.
Andover, Hampshire:
Pitkin, c1998,
21p. [255.19/HEB]
The most
succinct treatment of monastic
life one could hope to find, yet accurate and
comprehensive in
its scope.
There are excellent color illustrations throughout. At this
abbreviated length,
it would be
foolish to expect an in-depth treatment, but for the rank beginner this
is a great place to start. Suitable for middle school and up, yet
adults will find it satisfying as well. It is a pleasure to find
a publisher who knows exactly what he wants to do -- however modest
that
may be -- and does it so amazingly well. See also a sister
publication, Dissolution
of the Monasteries.
*****
|
Henry, Patrick,
ed.
Benedict's
Dharma: Buddhists Reflect on the Rule of Benedict.
Riverhead Books,
2001, 223 p.
Monastics of all
stripes often find
as much in common with each other as with their co-religionists.
Coming from their different points of view, the insights of four
prominent
Buddhists on Benedict's Rule will add depth to the reader's
understanding
of Benedictinism, at the same time one learns more about
Buddhism.
An enjoyable, worthwhile read, but for maximum benefit, you should have
a good understanding of Benedictinism first.
*****
|
Herman, Nicolas
(Brother Lawrence)
The Practice
of the Presence of God: Conversations and Letters of Brother
Lawrence.
Oxford, England:
Oneworld, 1692,
113 p.
In 1629 in
France, the 18-year-old
Nicolas Herman looked upon a leafless tree in midwinter.
“Thinking
of the changes the coming spring would bring, he was filled an
overwhelming
sense of the knowledge and love of God.”
Theological
recollection is the
concentration of the attention on the presence of God. While not
Benedictine per se, it is the whole point of Benedictinism.
Through
application, Herman was able to keep this gift of habitual recollection
his entire life. Eventually, he became the monk known as Brother
Lawrence. In this slim volume, he shares what he learned.
It
is perhaps the classic book on Christian recollection and you
would
be denying yourself an opportunity not to read it.
Like
contemplative prayer, the concept
is at heart a very simple one and accessible to everyone, yet it pushes
the borders of time and space and can be difficult to talk about and to
grasp in an intellectual sense. It requires a simplicity of
heart.
While not holy writ, this is a book best read using the lectio
divina method.
*****
|
Kardong, Lawrence
The
Benedictines.
Wilmington, DE:
Michael Glasier,
1988, 208 p.
An intermediate
level book that
is well worth the reading when you are ready to step up your game a
bit.
It covers some of the some of the same themes as other introductory
books
such as deWaal’s Seeking God: the Rule, St. Benedict,
spirituality,
community, the abbot, and history, but is a bit more scholarly and
presupposes
a background. There are also chapters on contemporary issues and
the future of Benedictines. The author uncharacteristically blows
off the future assuming there will always be Benedictinism regardless
of
what present practioners do, but the book is still eminently worth
reading,
and mirabile dictu, it has an index! The wisdom and
thoughtfulness
of this book is best shown in its summation of the Benedictine ethos
today:
-
God exists and is present to
every aspect of human
existence. Therefore, one must bring a reverent and mindful
attitude
to life.
-
Prayer is not the only thing
worth doing in this world,
but without prayer, nothing else is done as well nor are things kept in
proper perspective.
-
Every person is of equal worth
in the eyes of God.
Therefore, no one can be considered a mere object but must be given
voice
in his or her own destiny.
-
Authority is necessary in every
human society and it
must be obeyed insofar as it serves the common good.
-
It is possible for human beings
of various backgrounds
and cultures to live in a harmonious community. People are meant
to live in mutuality and not alienation.
-
Personal fulfillment is just as
important as the profit
of the community, but mature happiness can only be found in serving
others.
-
Truth is never served by force
or violence. We
prove that we do not really believe in the truth when we impose it on
others
by violent force.
-
Competition is an artificial
means of stimulating human
striving; in the long run it cannot produce the same fruits of peace
and
joy that can be achieved by cooperation.
***** |
McAleavy, Tony
Life
In a Medieval Abbey.
London: English
Heritage, c1996,
64 p. [255.19/MCA]
An historical
view of monastic life
in Britain from the first abbeys to the dissolution. Like Life
in a Monastery and Dissolution
of the Monasteries, it is well illustrated, orderly, and
comprehensive.
For all that it has more text, and some details not found in the other
two books, there is little of the basics here not found in the other
two
books. Still, an excellent overview for a popular audience.
Suitable for high school and up.
*****
|
Merton, Thomas
Wisdom
of the Desert: Some Sayings of the Desert Fathers.
New Directions,
1960, 81 p.
Merton’s
selection and translation
of 150 vignettes. Like the Benedictine life, which is easier
lived
than described, the vignettes are easier to sample than describe.
A brother asked one of
the elders saying:
There are two brothers, of whom one remains praying in his cell,
fasting
six days at a time and doing a great deal of penance. The other
one
takes care of the sick. Which one’s work is more pleasing to
God?
The elder replied: If that brother who fasts six days at a time were to
hang himself up by the nose, he could not equal the one who takes care
of the sick.
Abbot John used to say: We have
thrown down a light
burden, which is reprehending ourselves, and we have chosen instead to
bear a heavy burden, by justifying our own selves and condemning others.
Abbot Agatho would say: Even if
an angry man were
to revive the dead, he would not be pleasing to God because of his
anger.
Not a necessary
read to understand
Benedictinism, but very rewarding, and a good direction to take after
reading
some of the more basic works.
*****
|
Norris, Kathleen
The
Cloister Walk.
New York: Riverhead
Books, 1996,
384 p. [255.20/NOR]
A series of
short essays and vignettes
centering primarily on author’s experiences with two extended
residencies
at a Benedictine monastery. Like all good essayists, Norris has a
gift for bringing a near clarity to the ineffable. The book
succeeds
at such a human level, that one does not need a familiarity with
monasticism
to enjoy it. You will enjoy it that much more, however, if you
bring
a familiarity with Benedictinism to it. Similarly, it is not at
all
a “woman’s book” but this reviewer has yet to find a woman reader who
does
not respond to this book is a special way. Man or woman, you will
enjoy this book if you enjoy exposure to a fine mind. You will
look
forward to picking it up again. You will gain insights into all
sorts
of things. For all that, though, you don’t need to read it to
have
a full Benedictine life. Consider it a super supplement.
Read
the basic works first, then give yourself a treat and read this.
*****
|
Steindl-Rast,
David
Music
of Silence: A Sacred Journey through the Hours of the Day.
Berkeley, CA, 2002,
116 p.
In theology,
recollection is a concentration
of the attention on the presence of God. It is the prime reason
for
the monastic hours, and, indeed, all prayer and worship. The
author
talks around this, but never really comes out and says it. He
covers
each of the Hours in the same format: we are told of the author’s
speculation
about the angel that–in his mind at least–represents that particular
hour,
there is a glancing mention of Rilke’s collection of poems, The Book
of Hours, there are a few words about chant, then the author
ruminates
a bit and that’s it. The reader will come out of this knowing
nothing
new about chant, angels, Rilke, and precious little about the Hours or
recollection. In religious publishing, one might claim that this
book is about “spirituality,” but that’s just a euphemism to mean it
lacks
content of substance and/or focus. The best part of the book is
the
introduction by Kathleen Norris, which would be worthy of inclusion in
her fine book The Cloister Walk.
If you want to know about recollection, read The
Practice of the Presence of God instead.
*****
|
Taylor, Brian C.
Spirituality
for Everyday Living: An Adaptation of the Rule of St. Benedict.
Collegeville, MN:
Liturgical Press,
c1989, 70 p. [255.106/TAY]
This slim book
succinctly lays out
what one needs to know to employ Benedictine practice in one’s
life.
The author is an Episcopal priest who is bright and sincere, and
actually
practicing what he preaches. While not at all heavy reading, it
is
worthy of lectio divina.
There
are questions for reflection at the end of each short section and the
book
would work well for a study group. This book is similar in many
ways
to Saint
Benedict on the Freeway, but probably a better choice for
Anglicans.
The author of that book may be the better scholar, but Father Taylor
conveys
more Anglican passion and stays solidly locked into
Benedictinism.
The only quibble the reviewer has with this book is in the author’s
discussion
of obedience. Fr. Taylor does not stress the listening aspect of
obedience. For all the authority assigned to the abbot in the Rule
of Benedict, even the abbot is required to listen well and
always.
Fr. Taylor, prefers rather to stress obeying more. There are
times
when it is good for both us and our community that we simply obey, but
as Christians and Benedictines, listening is at least -- if not more --
important.
*****
|
Vest, Norvene
Preferring
Christ: A Devotional Commentary & Workbook on the Rule of Saint
Benedict.
Trabuco Canyon, CA:
Source Books,
1990, 180p. [255.106/VES]
After you have
read Esther De Waal's
Seeking God. and the Rule of Benedict itself, Preferring
Christ is the next book to read. It goes inside the Rule,
takes it apart, analyzes it, and helps you integrate it into your
life.
In each of 73 short chapters, Vest takes a line or two and discusses it
critically, then adds her own reflections. The reader is then
expected
to apply the Benedictine method of lectio divina to the
passage.
The glorious thing is that the serious reader will come away with the
lessons
of the Rule internalized and at the same time learn how to do lectio
divina.
This publication
is called a workbook
simply because it has space at the bottom of each page to write in your
own reflections. This reviewer cannot bear to write in a book and
instead put his reflections on a separate piece of paper. If you
borrow the book from a library, you must do the same.
It is
disconcerting that Vest's
reflections and comments sometimes bring in material not explicitly
suggested
by Benedict's text, but she has the advantage of knowing what comes
later
in the Rule and much of it ties in as you go on. This
book
works best taking only a chapter a day, so a library copy may not be
practical.
A chapter takes about 20 minutes to do, and each is like a
mini-retreat.
This book is a treasure, and at $17.95, a bargain to boot.
*****
|
Ware, Corinne
Saint
Benedict on the Freeway: A Rule of Life for the 21st Century.
Nashville, TN:
Abingdon Press,
2002, 134 p. [255.106/WAR]
It is misleading
to invoke Saint
Benedict in the title and then make only perfunctory use of
Benedictinism,
and in fact, preach something that Benedict would not be particularly
enthusiastic
about. Benedictinism is St. Benedict’s method of leading a
God-centered
life. What is suggested in this book is the author's own method:
a sort of spiritual buffet that one can mix and match to taste.
This
can be dreadfully close to New Ageism, and not far from claiming that
you’re
a Christian but don't go to church. Missing in this book is
community,
stability, and 1500 years of proven practice.
Although a
professor in the Episcopal
Theological Seminary of the Southwest, Dr. Ware never mentions that
both
the Book of Common Prayer and the Daily Office Book
provide
Benedictine-style offices. Even more curious is that she suggests
a seven-fold office replete with Vigils, Prime, Terce, and Sext that
have
been abandoned in many monastic communities then suggests combining
Evening
Prayer and Compline. Evening Prayer is considered one of the
anchor
Hours (Morning Prayer is the other), so is one of the last Hours that
you
ought to consider slighting. Compline is probably the best-loved
of the Hours – at least in Anglican circles – so downplaying that also
seems perverse.
All that
notwithstanding, there
is much to like about this book. It is clearly and succinctly
written,
comprehensive, and insightful. It can be informative for someone
trying to avoid commitment, but it’s only a side road for someone
seeking
a greater understanding of Benedictinism. A better book for
would-be
Benedictines is Spirituality
for Everyday Living.
*****
|
Widdicombe,
Catherine
Small
Communities in Religious Life: Making them Work.
Cambridge, England:
Lutterworth,
2001, 256 p. [255/WID]
This self-help
book covers a multiplicity
of topics of a practical nature, such as facilitating meetings,
determining
mission, ministry, moving, leadership, evaluating, etc. The
author
admits these processes can be tedious, and we all know running a group
is messy, so perhaps it should be expected that this book tends to have
both qualities. There is a good deal of information here, but for
all its wordiness, you never get the feeling that you are learning all
you need to know. We are in a period of experimentation with
non-traditional
groups, and this book will not lead rank beginners through the process
of becoming, even though it touches on many aspects of that
process.
The author works as a facilitator, so that tends to be what you
get.
It is weak on the overall picture and the passion that brings such
communities
into being. The book is less than it could have been, but not
without
its value. Feel free to skim to the good parts. If you’re
only
going to read one book on forming a community, you’d be better off with
Patricia Wittberg’s Pathways to Re-Creating
Religious Communities.
*****
|
Wittberg,
Patricia
Creating
a Future for Religious Life: A Sociological Perspective.
New York: Paulist
Press, c1991,
184 p. [255.20/WIT]
The title of
this book makes it
sound more hopeful than it really is. If fact, reading it, one
gets
the impression that there is nearly no hope at all and there is no
future
for religious life. On the other hand, one must identify the
problems
before one can deal with them, and Sister Patricia – a university
sociology
professor – lays them out clearly. This book is the
precursor
to Pathways to Re-Creating Religious Communities, and that book
is more to the point and actually offers some solutions. This
book
lays the groundwork, and while intelligent and well thought out, covers
little that is not repeated in the sequel. If you are a sociology
student, Creating a Future for Religious Life is a worthwhile
read,
but if your interest is more monastic, and you’re only going to read
one
book on the sociology and future of religious communities, read the
sequel,
Pathways
to Re-Creating Religious Communities.
*****
|
Wittberg,
Patricia
Pathways
to Re-Creating Religious Communities.
New York: Paulist
Press, 1996,
266 p. [255.20/WIT]
The author is a
sociologist as well
as a member of the Sisters of Charity. She avoids getting bogged
down in detail and goes right for the major themes that make a
community
succeed or fail.
• What
is the fundamental
reason for existing as a community?
• How is the
fundamental purpose
lived out?
• What
distinguishes members from
non-members?
• What resources
are needed and
where are they found?
These themes are
fully covered in an
orderly succinct way. It is not a “popularly written book”
as the blurb on the cover claims, but it is accessible to educated
readers
and ever so much more to the point than Widdicombe’s Small
Communities in Religious Life.
*****
|
Woodward, George
W.O.
Dissolution
of the Monasteries.
Andover, Hampshire:
Pitkin, c1993,
21p. [271.009/WOO]
The most
succinct treatment of the
British dissolution of the monasteries one could hope to find, yet
accurate
and comprehensive in its scope. There are excellent color
illustrations
throughout. At this abbreviated length, one cannot expect an
in-depth
treatment, but for the rank beginner this is a great place to start.
Suitable
for middle school and up, yet adults will find it satisfying as
well.
It is a pleasure to find a publisher who knows exactly what he wants to
do -- however modest that
may be -- and does
it so amazingly
well. See also a sister publication, Life
in a Monastery.
*****
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