On the Religious Life

by Prosper Guéranger

What are religious? What does the Lord ask of them? What should their interior attitude be to poverty, chastity, obedience, and to the everyday demands of life in a community? Dom Prosper Gueranger's monastic wisdom is offered to religious, clergy, and laity as an insight into the contemplative monastic life and as a primer for the spiritual life of every Christian. This new translation from the French original includes an extensive introduction to the monastic doctrina of Dom Gueranger by a Benedictine nun of St Cecilia's Abbey, Ryde.

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1885

About the author

Dom Prosper Louis Pascal Guéranger, Servant of God, was a Benedictine priest, abbot of Solesmes Abbey (which he founded in the disused priory of Solesmes) and founder of the French Benedictine Congregation (now the Solesmes Congregation). Dom Guéranger was the author of The Liturgical Year, which covers every day of the Catholic Church's Liturgical Cycle in 15 volumes. He was well regarded by Pope Pius IX, and was a proponent of the dogmas of papal infallibility and the Immaculate Conception. Dom Guéranger is credited with reviving the Benedictine Order in France, and revitalizing the Tridentine Mass.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosper...

Reviews

[Fr. Peter Mottola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: This book may cause you to become a monk or nun.
Dom Guéranger here provides a concise overview of religious life. Originally written for monastic novices, it eloquently expresses the eminent advantages of following our Lord in holy poverty, holy chastity, and holy obedience. Even for those who are committed to a state of life incompatible with the fullness of the evangelical counsels, there is much food for thought here. I found especially noteworthy his presentation of the salutary effects of the Fear of God, a foundational scriptural idea too often neglected in our day.

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For people discerning either the Religious or Monastic life, I really recommend this. Dom Prosper Guéranger speaks from not just practical experience but certainly from a prayerful contemplation. This Benedictine Abbot lays down the formula that is simple and easy to read for laymen.

I can tell you that my favorite considerations was his section dedicated to Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. I even used them in my YouTube video as a resource to more easily explain their meaning. I really believe that all spiritual directors should recommend this as a simple read for men and women who are considering either-or as a potential option.

On the side, Dom Guéranger being on of the big liturgical guys of the Catholic Church has other great works that I do recommend. Most especially since we are coming to Advent season as of the time writing this. Go check it out!

[Rusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It isn't meant for the average layman but it has a lot of good wisdom in it on how we must guard our souls and minds for God.