Commentary for Benedictine Oblates: On the Rule of St. Benedict

by G.A. Simon, Leonard J. Doyle (Translator)

The Commentary on the Rule takes into account the long history of commentary on St. Benedict's rule and discusses this history at length in the introduction. Each chapter has a selection of the rule, following the divisions of dates on which sections of the rule are read in monasteries, then a commentary on that section, followed by an application, through 72 chapters completing the entire Rule. The commentary makes use of the very lengthy Monastic Tradition, works of the Church Fathers, Eastern Monasticism, the Scholastics and others, as well as commentary on text criticism in regards to the original Latin of the rule itself.This wonderful text, though it is intended for Benedictine Oblates, is a worthy resource for anyone that would like to know more about the rule of St. Benedict.This is book is the resource for those trying to learn more about monastic life.

Genres: Catholic, Spirituality

458 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for Benedictine oblates and for anyone else interested in living a more godly, disciplined life guided by the Rule of St. Benedict. Beautifully written/translated, thoughtful application of the Rule for our time, with excellent use of older sources such as Benedictine commentaries on the Rule.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best commentary I have read on the Rule and I have read a good many. This version is a must read for any child or student of St. Benedict. Forget all the others, this is the only one you need.

[John · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

This 1937 standard reference was the top recommendation by the director of oblates at the Abbey nearest my residence for those lay associates seeking a spiritual companion as they study the Rule and apply its prescriptions. To clarify, it seems some reviewers or readers get confused about its provenance. Unlike Paul Delatte's inspirational commentary from 1913, Simon's isn't in the public domain yet. This French diocesan priest, an oblate himself, compiled this under the example of Delatte's then-influential book. Then Leonard Doyle, an American publisher of liturgical texts, followed his once-popular translation of the Rule soon after with this 1950 edition. So, while it's nowadays usually printed on demand, and the paperback versions appear of varying quality, you may invest a bit more for a hardcover. Mine from "Mediatrix Press" (or Lulu in Britain) is typeset identical to the paperback. Scans seem legible enough and although pages are glued not sewn, the cover adds heft: it's for continued consulting. This isn't only a read-straight-through (although I cheated) and then you're done compendium. How often, then?

Daily for a Benedictine. The custom long was to have a portion recited at a monastery meal, and the Rule has long been divided into thrice-yearly cycles: Often, older takes on the Rule, Delatte, for instance, and Simon include the months\ days next to the portion. This enables lectio divina, too, which is encouraged for anyone incorporating even the more arcane directions of the Rule somehow into one's modern routine. And here, Simon via Doyle encourages a fervent, earnest, and imperative sense of holiness which carries urgency. Their phrasing will convey truly pre-Vatican II observations and a mindset at odds with synodal-this and inclusive-that. And I acknowledge that it's a perspective challenging for those of us laity raised after the Council in the typical parish, or who are reverts or converts who haven't grown up with stricter admonitions or in devout family environments.

You need to slow down, as with any adept who's showing us the Rule. That's why the bite-size bits arranged should not be rushed through. It took me awhile to get used to this style. Of course, clerics as well as lay people could use this, considering the authors, but as most oblates will be the latter, I'm guessing that cohort will be the audience likelier to consider this choice.

Seeing it emerges from a post-WWI France still largely Catholic by "nature," you can sense glimpses into assumptions about sin, grace, self-discipline, by a regimen of the Liturgy of the Hours to some extent adapted to the lives of everyday men and women. Simon and those he and Doyle served conveyed a confidence in rituals, devotions, and, frankly, what we'd judge mortification, which can't truly be replicated nowadays without either being separated from our culture or being inculcated in a Faith which our companions and mentors likely have only recovered after struggle against certain prevailing tendencies of the majority. So the orientation of this pre-conciliar guidebook must be stressed, and ignore the printing year of whoever's simply charging you!

But as no alternative to the contemporary commentaries which attempt to address those outside vowed OSB monasticism--by progressives e.g. Joan Chittister, Norvene Vest, Judith Sutera, or Jane Tomaine et al.--to my limited knowledge exists, until one witnesses a 21st c. perspective for more "conservative" followers of the Rule in the secular world, it seems that this admittedly dated but enduring choice must suffice. It may be less common a choice than fare lighter in weight/ tone, ergo "caveat lector."

[Mairead · Rating 5 out of 5]

While many may think the Rule of St Benedict is for monks and nuns, we discover that Oblates/Tertiaries as laity, can also find much benefit and spiritual upliftment bringing the Abbot's teachings into their homes and families.

[J.T. Boniface Mueller, Obl.S.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better commentaries that I have come across. I would highly recommend this to all.