Prayer and Community: The Benedictine Tradition

Traditions of Christian Spirituality

by Columba Stewart

The Benedictine approach to prayer, spiritual reading, obedience, community, work, and time.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Theology, Catholic, Prayer

136 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1998

About the author

Fr. Columba Andrew Stewart, OSB, D.Phil

Reviews

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an accessible 'introduction' to Benedictine spirituality. The section on Lectio Divina is clear and helpful, especially if someone is new to the practice. Stewart has some thought-provoking comments on materialism and contentment in several places. I particularly enjoyed the final chapter on how the 1500 year old Benedictine tradition speaks to today's world. Provocatively, Stewart suggest that people in modern Western (American) society are some of the most ascetical people that have ever lived because of the self-imposed asceticisms they willingly endure for the sake of achieving material 'success' - putting in grueling work hours shut away from nature, friends, and family, enduring long commutes in cramped conditions (whether by car, train, or plane), living in drab inner cities or soulless suburban sprawl, eating unhealthy food from fast food and casual restaurants, etc. All the while most Benedictine communities enjoy a simpler, slower, more contemplative pace of life, often in places where there is a deep connection to nature. Indeed, who has the heavier burden?

[Tim Chesterton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to Benedictine spirituality. However, I was expecting it to have more to say about how non-monastic Christians could apply the Benedictine ethos to their lives. The last chapter touched on this, but I would have enjoyed a lot more. My ranking of three stars perhaps reflects my expectations; if I had approached the book simply as a description of the Benedictine spirituality of those who live in religious communities, I likely would have given it a four or five. The chapter on ways of prayer and mindfulness was the one I enjoyed the most - perhaps because it was the most easily transferable to Christians like myself who live outside the monastery.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read lots of books on Benedictine Spirituality and reflections on his Rule but I still learned a lot from this book. Mostly the Benedictine history of things such as how the Divine Office has changed or how lectio has changed. There was a spot where some modern feminism and advocation of divorce came in but I was able to overlook these errors and still enjoy the of the book.

[Gael Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book for anyone wishing to make a start on understanding Benedictine tradition. Wonderfully written and easily set out, it’s a joy to read. Objective, well researched, and compelling. I look forward to learning more!

[Brady Sabolik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in THEO 331 - BENEDICTINE SPIRITUALITY

[Rachel Ciampoli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful to begin to understand the Benedictine tradition

[Lisa Cottingham]

Graduate Study St. John's University/Mepkin Abbey

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with other volumes in this series (edited by Philip Sheldrake) on great Christian spiritual traditions this one provides a worthy introduction. It balances sound scholarship with an accessible style. It covers St. Benedict himself and the Benedictine Rule. Stewart has an eye for being true to the Benedictine tradition yet a sense of the contemporary challenges of our culture. This book is worth reading.

[Patti Clement · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the texts used in my Historical Foundations of Spirituality course and at first I thought it would be very intellectual. However, I was quite surprised with how engaging the author was and how the book is one that I refer to often about what I consider one of the richest traditions of our faith, the Benedictine Tradition.

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading for a class I took on Benedictine Spirituality. Interesting and informative. Good general guide for anyone wanting a comprehensive and approachable overview of the Benedictine tradition.

[Kevin Priest · Rating 2 out of 5]

While mostly interesting and engaging I was left rather underwhelmed.

[Tim Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and concise, an excellent little book that is helping me to understand the Rule and apply it to my life today.