The Rule of Benedict

Founder of a monastery at Monte Cassino, between Rome and Naples, in the sixth century, St Benedict intended his Rule to be a practical guide to Christian monastic life. Based on the key precepts of humility, obedience and love, its aim is to create a harmonious and efficient religious community in which individuals can make progress in the Christian virtues and gain eternal life. Here, Benedict sets out ideal monastery routines and regulations, from the qualities of a good abbot, the twelve steps to humility and the value of silence to such every day matters as kitchen duties, care of the sick and the suitable punishment for lateness at mealtimes. Benedict's legacy is still strong - his Rule remains a source of inspiration and a key work in the history of the Christian church.
Carolinne White's accessible translation is accompanied by an introduction discussing Benedict's teachings and setting them in the contexts of earlier monastic practices and of later developments in the use of his Rule. This edition also contains further reading and explanatory notes.

St Benedict of Nursia (c. 480-543) founded twelve monasteries, the best known of which was his first at Monte Cassino in Italy. Benedict was canonized in 1220.
Carolinne White is an editor whose publications include a translation of Early Christian Lives<>/I>, published by Penguin Classics.