The Life of St. Benedict by Gregory the Great: Translation and Commentary

by Terrence G. Kardong OSB

In his classic Second Book of Dialogues, Pope Gregory the Great lionizes Saint Benedict as hero and casts him predominantly in the role of miracle worker. Yet in his Rule, Benedict comes across more as a practical community organizer and premier spiritual father. In this volume, Terrence Kardong offers a fresh take on Gregory the Great's classic. He alternates between translated sections of the Diablo's and his own commentary. Crisp and direct, and infused with his wry and ever-present sense of humor, Kardong's writings sure to build up the spiritual life of readers and, equally important, to make them love St. Benedict.

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Genres: History, Biography, Spirituality, Religion, Christian, Catholic

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2009

Reviews

[Joseph R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over a millennium ago, the biographies of saints were written in a far different style than today. Today, an author probably focuses on the challenges and failings of a saint rather than any miraculous or seemingly superhuman feats they accomplished. By contrast, the ancient tradition of hagiography (writings about the holy ones) reveled in miraculous events and conversions, almost like the saints were superheroes powered by grace rather than gadgets or gamma radiation. Pope St. Gregory the Great wrote just such a biography of St. Benedict, founder of the monastic tradition in the western church.

The text follows Benedict's life from childhood and his first experiences at school in Rome. Living in the late 400s, life was decadent. Benedict was appalled at the behavior of his Roman classmates and fled to the countryside where he became a monk. People heard about him and came to him. A nearby community lost its leader and they invited Benedict to be the new leader. He wanted them to live a holy life, giving up their luxuries. They were unhappy with this and poisoned Benedict's wine. As they brought the pitcher, he blessed it according to the local tradition. The pitcher shattered; Benedict instantly knew they were trying to poison him. He upbraided them and told them to find another father more suited to them.

That's just one example among many along the way. The commentary by Terrence Kardong does a good job of explaining the ancient style and relating the stories both to other examples of hagiography and other writings by and about Benedict. Kardong is well aware and sympathetic with the modern discomfort over miracles, especially when they happen on almost every page. He also is very aware of the literary style of the work. Not only is the prose beautiful to read but the ordering of the stories sets up interesting contrasts or similarities between events in Benedict's life.

For those afraid of finding a miracle-laden text too unbelievable, this translation and commentary makes it much easier reading. The stories told are very interesting and vivid, making this book worth reading just as literature. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Sample Quote--the famous story when Benedict was tempted by lust:

A victim of lust, he almost decided to desert the hermitage. Suddenly, favored by grace from above, he came to his senses. Seeing a thicket of briars and nettles growing close at hand, he stripped naked and threw himself in the sharp thorns and stinging nettles. He rolled in them for a long time and as a result was scratched from head to toe. The physical wounds on his skin removed the wound of his mind, for it converted lust into sorrow. By means of an external punishing fire, he snuffed out what unlawfully burned inside. So he conquered sin by switching fires. [p. 13]

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book over the summer, mostly because I didn't have an edition of the Life of St. Benedict, which seemed odd, given my interest in Benedictine spirituality. Kardong's edition is a good one, with an informative commentary and a readable translation. Kardong gives a good sense of context and structure of the Life, which is really helpful when reading it.

Ancient and mediaeval hagiography can be something of an acquired taste, given the predominance of miracles and wonders which can put off more skeptical modern readers, whose tastes may lie more towards biography and personality. Yet, the aims of these hagiographies are different- focusing on establishing their subject's spiritual power as reflecting God's power. This life is very much in that tradition, focusing especially on Benedict's miracles. Yet, there is much that is human which comes out. Benedict, for all of the efforts to depict him as the spiritual master, has moments of very real humanity- in his reaction to the community which tried to poison him, his interactions with his sister, Scholastica, who summoned a storm to keep him from leaving overnight and his lovely vision of the world towards the end of his life. I can't say that our reading of Benedict is as well rounded as a modern biographer would prefer (this is ancient hagiography, after all), but I think we see the person as well as the saint.

This biography is an excellent one for those interested in the saints and especially in Benedictine spirituality and history and is well worth reading.

[Fr. Daniel Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read my share of hagiographies (biographies of saints) I had never read one quite as old as that of St. Gregory the Great on St. Benedict. I was not prepared for the style, the stories, and the rhetoric of that age. I was very glad to have an “interpreter” - not just of the language but of the style and purpose.

Most of the stories were about miracles attributed to St. Benedict, which can be a big turnoff to people in our day. What was helpful was the commentary which accompanied these stories. 1,500 years ago, this story would have been written in the day’s style. Today, we can read it and be tempted to call it primitive or superstitious. I was grateful that Fr. Terrance Kardong explained much of the reasoning behind what stories were told, in what order, and what was really behind them.

Unfortunately not much more about the life of St. Benedict is known. All we have is his rule and this Dialogue, more or less. Still, this is a man who has influenced generations of people. More importantly, he influenced greatly a man considered one of the greatest popes who thought him so important to write a biography about him and stories about him.

[Luke Daghir · Rating 5 out of 5]

St. Gregory the Great is one of the best authors I have ever read. His ability to biographically write about St. Benedict through means of a dialogue in the book is unbelievable.

I read this book in Guatemala at a Benedictine Monastery- what a beautiful and fitting place to have read this novel. This book helped me to understand the Benedictine tradition through its founder St. Benedict.

I thought I knew St. Benedict, I thought I had heard his stories, I thought that I had a good understanding of St. Benedict. Once I read this book, at the moment I read the first story, I realized that this book was going to teach me what I didn't know and was going to build upon what I already knew. I fell in love with this book and grew in greater devotion to St. Benedict.

Give this book a read- it is a spiritual classic.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am giving this book four stars just because of how extremely unique it is! It is a book written by a Saint (St. Gregory the Great) about a Saint (St. Benedict). Every young man starting at Benedictine high school is required to read it before Freshman year. It is written in a series of short stories. St. Gregory stops himself sometimes and enters the voice of ‘Peter’, a young monk who is supposed to be listening to the stories and asks for clarification sometimes.
Anyways, the stories are interesting- some cute, some magical, and some downright bizarre. The best story tells about the loving relationship between St. Benedict and his sister, St. Scholastica. As a mom of a ‘Man Of Benedictine’, I’m happy to have read this.

[Linda M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Benedictine novice oblate, I was required to read the hagiography of St. Benedict by St. Gregory the Great. It took me a while to become accustomed to his style of writing. I found the commentary by Terrence G. Kardong OSB to be a big help in understanding the stories of St. Benedict. I read a section each day as part of my prayer time.

[D. Meador · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting life; quite different than what I expected. Still, very glad I read it and I recommend it to all.

[Emily Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book, but I had mixed thoughts about the commentary.

[Cyrus Nelsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite.

[Platypus Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars)
My first hagiography, so certainly an interesting experience. I didn't love everything about it, and it requires some unpacking and analysis/interpretation, but good overall.

[Jeremy]

I read parts of it on-line and decided to buy it. Its written as a conversation between Gregory and Peter, a monk. I like how books written 1800 years ago can have distinct parallels with today and immediate applicability.

[Suzanne E · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good translation, and Kardong's commentary was very helpful. It gave me a better insight into the Benedictine Rule, and as an oblate, I need reminding all the time. I will probably re-read this book again in a year or two to refresh my vows again.