St. Benedict's Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living (10th Anniversary Edition, Revised)

By Jane Tomaine

A practical, down-to-earth guide on the Rule of St. Benedict and its use in daily life.

In the sixth century when the Roman Empire was breaking apart and politics, cultural life and even the Church were in disarray―tumultuous times not unlike our own―Benedict of Nursia designed what he termed “a little rule” that showed his monks the way to peace as they learned to prefer Christ above all things.

Jane Tomaine translates St. Benedict’s ancient rule for a modern audience and offers readers a primer on how to use these tools in their own tumultuous lives. Each chapter examines one aspect of the Rule, from ways of praying to ways of being in relationships and community, and offers tools for reflection, prayer, journaling, and action. This updated edition includes historical background to the Rule, a new chapter on relationships and community, and a guide for group use.

“[A] wonderful book, one of the best introductions we have in print today to the spirit of St. Benedict. It speaks clearly to Episcopalians of our day about the great spiritual treasure of the Benedictine tradition.”―The Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin, Assisting Bishop of Long Island.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing
• Release date: Jul 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9780819231994

Jane Tomaine

The Rev. Jane Tomaine, DMin, is an Episcopal priest and nationally known retreat leader and author of St. Benedict’s Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living. She also contributed “Living Simply” for the Abbey Press series on Benedictine living, Notes from a Monastery. Following an eighteen-year career with AT&T and over twelve years as a rector in a parish, Jane serves as a priest associate at Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit, New Jersey. She leads workshops and retreats on Christian and Benedictine spirituality at churches, monasteries, and retreat centers, and publishes a newsletter that is available through her website, www.stbenedictstoolbox.org.

Book preview

The title on the cover reads St. Benedict’s Toolbox; The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living, Tenth Anniversary Edition, Revised, by Jane Tomaine.

Figure details

The cover illustration shows a toolbox that contains a few tools including a scale, scissors, rake, gloves, spray bottle, brush, hammer, and a Holy Bible.

        10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION        

St. Benedict’s

Toolbox

The Nuts and Bolts of

Everyday Benedictine Living

JANE TOMAINE

Copyright © 2005, 2015 by Jane Tomaine

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

Quotations from the Rule of Benedict, unless indicated otherwise, are from RB1980: The Rule of Benedict in English. Copyright © 1981 by Order of St. Benedict. Published by Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota. Reprinted with permission.

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission.

Prayer book quotations are taken from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) of the Episcopal Church, USA.

For more information, ideas, tools, and readings,

see www.stbenedictstoolbox.org.

Morehouse Publishing, 19 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016

Morehouse Publishing is an imprint of Church Publishing Incorporated.

www.churchpublishing.org

Cover art by Dorothy Thompson Perez

Cover design by Laurie Klein Westhafer

Design by Beth Oberholtzer

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Tomaine, Jane.

St. Benedict’s toolbox : the nuts and bolts of everyday Benedictine living / Jane Tomaine. — 10th anniversary edition.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-0-8192-3198-7 (pbk.) — ISBN 978-0-8192-3199-4 (ebook)

1. Benedict, Saint, Abbot of Monte Cassino. Regula. 2. Benedictines—Rules. 3. Monasticism and religious orders—Rules. 4. Spiritual life—Christianity. I. Title. II. Title: Saint Benedict’s Toolbox.

BX3004.Z5T66 2015

255'.106—dc23

2015005001

In gratitude to my husband John

Contents

Preface to the Tenth Anniversary Edition

Acknowledgments

Words of Encouragement for Those New to the Rule of St. Benedict

Welcome to St. Benedict’s Toolbox

Guide to Using the Book: The How-To of St. Benedict’s Toolbox:

The Nuts and Bolts of the Book

The Format of This Book

How to Read This Book

Suggestions for Using the Tools in the Toolbox

Reading the Toolbox in a Group Setting

Keeping a Journal

Framing Your Journey in Prayer

TOOLBOX: The Beginning of the Journey

Introduction: The Rule of Benedict: A Tool for Christian Living

Our Christian Imperative: The Baptismal Covenant

The Reality of Our Daily Lives

Sitting at the Feet of the Lord and the Great Commandment

Finding a Guide

A Thumbnail Sketch of the Rule of Benedict

In Closing

TOOLBOX: Introduction to the Study

INTERLUDE: Listening for God in the Daily

Putting the Ideas into Practice

TOOLBOX: God in All Things

Part I: Getting Started

1 The Rule of Benedict: Relevant and Appropriate

A Brief Look at the Origins of Monasticism

The Life of Benedict and His Rule

What Is the Rule of Benedict?

The Impact of the Rule of Benedict

The Relevance of the Rule for All Christians

Summing Up the Chapter

TOOLBOX: The Rule of Benedict: Relevant and Appropriate

INTERLUDE: Paying Attention to the Breadcrumbs

TOOLBOX: Awareness in the Journey

2 The Prayer of Lectio Divina: Listening to God in Scripture

The Blessing of Holy Scripture

What Benedict Says about Holy Reading

Why Practice Lectio Divina—A Story

The Prayer of Lectio Divina

After the Prayer of Lectio Divina

Some Prayer Tips

Some Prayer Challenges

A Sample of Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina and the Baptismal Covenant

TOOLBOX: The Prayer of Lectio Divina

INTERLUDE: A Sample Prayer of Lectio Divina

Read the Passage Slowly: Lectio

Reflect on the Word or Phrase: Meditatio

Respond in Prayer to God: Oratio

Rest in Silence: Contemplatio

The Steps of Lectio Divina Begin Again

Putting the Ideas into Practice

Part II: The Benedictine Vows: The Core of the Rule

Stability

Obedience

Conversion of Life: Conversatio

3 Stability: Remaining Present

The Scriptural Roots of Benedictine Stability—The Faithfulness of God

What Is Benedictine Stability?

Stability and Living in the Present Moment

The Value of Stability—Roots

What Stability Does

Stability and Community

Attaining Stability through Perseverance

Attaining Stability in the Challenges

Stability, Mood, and Acceptance

Stability, Community, and Our Baptismal Covenant

Stability: A Home in Christ

Summing Up Stability

TOOLBOX: Practicing Stability

INTERLUDE: A Lesson in Persistence

Putting the Ideas into Practice

4 Obedience: Listening and Responding

Benedictine Obedience

Obedience in the Rule

Obedience for Us Today

Learning to Listen

Grumbling in the Heart

Giving Our Life to God

Obedience and Our Baptismal Covenant

Summing Up Obedience

TOOLBOX: Listening and Responding: Benedictine Obedience

INTERLUDE: Images of Obedience from the Garden

Garden Pests and Other Invaders

Cultivating Obedience—Applying Nourishment to the Garden

Putting It into Practice

5 Conversion of Life: Being Open to Transformation

The Meaning of Conversion of Life

Blessed Are the Pure in Heart, for They Will See God (Matthew 5:8)

Conversion of Life and Community

Conversion of Life as Change

Practices That Support Conversion of Life

Resurrection with Christ

Conversion of Life and Our Baptismal Covenant

Summing Up Conversatio—Conversion of Life

TOOLBOX: Conversion of Life: Turning toward God

INTERLUDE: Sitting Still

The Benedictine Promises in Daily Life

Putting the Ideas into Practice

Part III: More Tools for Daily Life

6 Walking through the Day with God: Praying the Divine Office

The Roots of the Divine Office

Benedictine Lauds

The Gifts of the Divine Office

Can We Pray the Divine Office Today?

The Divine Office and Our Baptismal Covenant

TOOLBOX: Ways for Busy People to Pray the Divine Office

INTERLUDE: Brief Liturgies for the Divine Office

7 Benedictine Hospitality: Hearts Overflowing with Love

What Is Hospitality?

Benedictine Hospitality

The Three-Fold Meaning of Welcoming One Another as Christ

The Porter of the Monastery

Hospitality and Community

Creating a Welcoming Space

Benedictine Balance of Hospitality, Solitude, and Boundaries

Love and Hospitality

Hospitality and the Interruptions of Life

The Hospitality Challenge

Hospitality, Love, and Forgiveness

Hospitality and Good Zeal

Hospitality, Justice, and the Environment

Putting Hospitality into Practice

Benedictine Hospitality and Our Baptismal Covenant

Hospitality: The Gift of Presence

Summing Up Benedictine Hospitality

TOOLBOX: Benedictine Hospitality: Living with an Open Heart

INTERLUDE: Welcoming Christ

Putting the Ideas into Practice

8 Keeping a Holy Benedictine Lent Anytime

Benedict and Lent

Holy Reading

Fasting

Closing Thoughts and a Look at the Baptismal Covenant

TOOLBOX: Keeping a Holy Benedictine Lent Anytime

INTERLUDE: Getting Back on the Wagon

Putting It into Practice

9 The Holiness of Labor: Benedictine Work and Service

Work in the Monastic Tradition

Benedict’s View of Work

The Benedictine Ideal of Work in the Twenty-First Century

The Work Doldrums

Business, Busyness, and Our Spiritual Life

Our Real Work

Entering the Holiness of Work

Benedictine Work and the Baptismal Covenant

The Hands of Christ

Summing Up Benedictine Work

TOOLBOX: Work as a Holy Endeavor

INTERLUDE: Discovering the Holiness of Our Tools

Benedict and Work

The Holy in the Ordinary

Putting It into Practice

10 Community, Relationships, and Being a Benedictine Presence

What Is Benedictine Community?

Building Benedictine Community

Three Key Practices for a Benedictine Person of Peace

Discipline and Forgiveness

A Benedictine Presence of Peace and the Baptismal Covenant

Summing Up Being a Benedictine Presence

TOOLBOX: Being a Benedictine Presence of Peace

INTERLUDE: An Interview with the Monastery Cellarer

Putting It into Practice

11 What Are You Looking For? Developing a Rule of Life

The Challenge of Finding Meaning and Happiness

A Rule as a Path to Meaning

The Rule of Benedict as a Model for Daily Life

The Benedictine Promises

Our Relationship with God and with Others

Balance

Moderation

Two Important Personal Qualities

Taking the Plunge! Bringing a Rule into Your Life

TOOLBOX: A Personal Rule of Life

INTERLUDE: Spinning the Web

Putting It into Practice

12 Conclusion: Living in the Present Moment

The Sacrament of the Present Moment

Steps to Living in the Present Moment

Closing Thoughts

Appendix A: A Listing of the Tools in the Toolbox

Appendix B: A Guide for Using St. Benedict’s Toolbox in a Group Setting

Endnotes

Suggested Reading

Bibliography

Preface to the Tenth

Anniversary Edition

Ever since I was a child, one of my favorite pastimes is working on jigsaw puzzles. As I find each piece and fit it into place, a beautiful scene begins to take shape. A tree begins as a speck of green, forms gradually, and emerges as a majestic pine. A hand gains a body and face to become a person. Piece by piece the work is completed. How like a jigsaw puzzle is the work of God in our lives! Like the pieces of a puzzle, God places the seemingly disparate pieces of our lives into a picture that, for a time, only God knows. All along the way, through the circumstances of our lives and the choices we must make, God says to us, Here, my child, take this piece; place it here. Now this piece. Now another. And another, until some form or pattern begins to emerge that we can see.

New pieces have been placed in the puzzle since the Toolbox was first published in 2005. This tenth anniversary edition comes from my desire to share what I’ve learned through continued study of the Rule and from the retreats and programs that I’ve led. For readers of the original edition, here’s a summary of what’s new in this edition of the Toolbox:

• Testimonials from people who have found the Rule a positive impact in their lives

• Historical background which I found both fascinating and informative for today about monastics prior to Benedict, such as the desert monastics and John Cassian

• New tools for the Toolbox in each chapter

• A Benedictine practice for each chapter to help you use a key aspect of the Rule as you read

• A new chapter—Community, Relationships, and Being a Benedictine Presence

• A new section in the appendix—"A Guide for Using St. Benedict’s Toolbox in a Group Setting," created using input from groups that had read the book together

• An expanded suggested reading list and bibliography

It is my hope that what has been added will further enrich your own study and practice of the Rule.

My own journey with the Rule of Benedict began in 1997, while attending a continuing education course on congregational culture at The General Theological Seminary in New York City, an Episcopal institution. The Rule immediately spoke to me. It was centered in Christ and the Gospels, rooted in relationships, and practically oriented—no vague, euphoric clouds here. Benedict was a practical, no-nonsense person who was in love with God. I resonated with his main points: to put Christ at the center of life, to remain connected with people, to listen for God in everything, and to follow God’s will. Benedict advocated a mindful, holistic approach to life that is rooted in relationships to God, to others, and even to ourselves. And so, as is my pattern when encountering a subject of interest, I immediately purchased books about the Rule. I can’t remember whether or not I read them right away, but I do know they stood faithfully on my bookshelf and waited patiently to be rediscovered in the fullness of time.

Two years later, again while at General, this time enrolled in the two-year Congregational Development Institute, I was reacquainted with the Rule. I bought more books and my interest moved into active mode. I introduced the Rule to my women’s spirituality group at church through Elizabeth Canham’s book Heart Whispers and John McQuiston II’s contemporary paraphrase of the Rule Always We Begin Again. In 2001, I entered a Doctor of Ministry program at the Theological School of Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. One of the requirements for the degree was to lead a major project with a team of parishioners. After exploring a range of subjects, the team and I decided to introduce the Rule of Benedict to the entire parish. We were convinced that the Rule had something important to say, especially to those of us who led frantic, fast-paced lives. This introduction was accomplished in a seven-week program that we entitled The Benedictine Season. During this time we made changes in our liturgy à la Benedict and provided several educational opportunities for parishioners to delve into the Rule. The regular Sunday lectionary was set aside for one that I created to correspond with the key points of Benedict’s Rule. At the suggestion of the team, I wrote a book for parishioners that both introduced the teachings of the Rule and offered ways to apply the ideas to daily life. A year later after I’d completed the thesis requirement for the degree, I decided to send the book to Morehouse Publishing. Their interest has brought this book to you in 2005.

That you are reading these words indicates that you already have either an interest in or a curiosity about the Rule of Benedict (or maybe you’ve been corralled into reading this book by someone else). Whatever the reason, I pray that you’ll find Benedict a rich and wise spiritual guide, accessible to we modern folk who are on the ancient path to God and to fullness of life. May this book and the Rule help you see more clearly the picture of you that God is forming through the jigsaw pieces of your life.

Acknowledgments

Few are the endeavors in life that are completed alone. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the people who have helped me in this project.

To those who have contributed to the content and writing of the tenth anniversary edition of the Toolbox I am grateful and thankful. I appreciate the input and time taken by those who read all or portions of the draft edition of the book, offering corrections, comments, and encouragement: The Rev. Dr. Lee Doucette; Donna Marquardt—an associate of Holy Cross Monastery; Mary Beth Starrett; Therese Saulnier of Contemplative Outreach who critiqued the section on Centering Prayer; and Dee Gray, an oblate at the monastery of Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Tucson.

Firmly believing in the richness of collaborative efforts, I asked other Benedictine followers to contribute to this edition and am thankful for their participation. Eileen Kennedy, an extraordinary artist in egg tempera, contributed a beautiful account about the impact of her sister’s battle with breast cancer that moved her to make significant changes in her life … for the better. Six followers of Benedict shared words of encouragement for readers new to the Rule: Suzanne, William Stewart, Megan Boyle, The Rev. Dr. Lee Doucette, the Rev. Genevieve Dox, and Mary Beth Starrett. I am grateful for the time they took to write about the impact of the Rule on their lives.

Nine group leaders participated in creating the appendix on reading the Toolbox in a group, providing valuable input and significantly enriching its content: St. Benedict Study Group affiliated with St. Hilary’s Episcopal Church in Hesperia, California—Barbara Croshier and Kathleen M. Puffer; Benedictine Group of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newcastle, Maine—Pam Van Siclen; The Benedictine Way of Calvary Episcopal Church in Rochester, Minnesota—Dottie Hawthorne; The Episcopal Community—Nancy Young; Continuing Catholic Development for Youth (CCD) at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Piscataway, New Jersey—Jeanne White; St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Midland, Texas—Margaret Williams and Judy Morris; The Order of the Daughters of the King at Grace Episcopal Church in Anniston, Alabama—Regina Page; Rockledge Presbyterian Church in Rockledge, Florida—Cheryl Carson; Trinity School of Transformation in Traverse City, Michigan—Jo Ann Panter, president and teaching director. Thank you for bringing the Rule to so many others through your leadership.

I express deep gratitude to all the churches, monasteries, and organizations who asked me to lead retreats and programs over the last ten years, bringing me new insights, an appreciation of the wisdom and faith people possess, and dear friendships. What a blessing!

I thank David Rynick, my life coach since 2007 and Zen Master, who has continued to remind me that this is God’s work and not just mine. I am deeply grateful for his wisdom and guidance that has helped me continue to write with joy. I thank Sr. Judith Sutera, OSB, who pointed the direction of further study and research on the Rule and its background.

Thank you to the editor of the tenth anniversary edition, Nancy Bryan of Church Publishing, for her support, guidance, and enthusiasm for this anniversary edition and for the creative help of Lillian Ort and Mark Dazzo, and Ryan Masteller and Amy Wagner in the production of the book.

Once again, heartfelt thanks to those who made the original edition possible. I’m grateful to the members of the Benedictine Project Committee at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Livingston, New Jersey—Cynthia Brady, Tara Gieger, Peggy Holloway, Scott Lodge, Michael McGrane, Ruth Portela, and Nancy Tiensch—whose creativity sparked the ideas for the Benedictine Season program at our church and inspired me to write a book about the Rule for our parishioners. And thanks go to Janice Woodruff, whose computer savvy contributed to the design and layout of the book that I wrote for my parish and to St. Benedict’s Toolbox. I am indebted to Robert Gallagher, developer of the Congregational Development Institute, who first introduced me to the Rule of Benedict in 1997, at a continuing education week at The General Theological Seminary in New York City and reacquainted me with the Rule in 1999, at the Congregational Development Institute.

Several friends read the 2005 manuscript of St. Benedict’s Toolbox prior to submission to the publisher. I thank them for their efforts in culling through the draft, giving me suggestions, corrections, and encouragement. Thanks go to the Reverend Peter deFranco, priest in the Diocese of Newark, who read the manuscript from his perspective as a former Cistercian monk, and also to three other readers who graciously contributed their time and helpful suggestions: Sr. Shane Margaret Phelan of the Episcopal Community of Saint John Baptist in Mendham, New Jersey, and my dear friends Dee Rogers and Mary Beth Starrett.

My pastoral supervisor, Dr. Patricia Briegs, and my former supervisor and doctoral advisor, Dr. William Presnell, were both sources of support and practical advice throughout both the Benedictine Season and the creation of this book.

My spiritual director, Sr. Margaret Brackett of the Sisters of Mercy, guided me in Ignatian spirituality for fourteen years and introduced me to lectio divina and praying the psalms.

My 2005 editor, Nancy Fitzgerald, left me an incredible message in 2004 saying that Morehouse was interested in publishing the book that I had sent to them. For her meticulous work on the manuscript, her valuable suggestions, and her help and consideration throughout the whole and truly collaborative process, I am thankful.

For both editions, I’m especially grateful to my dear friend of forty-plus years, Mary Beth Starrett, who has been a beacon of encouragement and a tireless reader of draft upon draft; and to my husband, John, for lifting my spirits so many times and for his wise counsel, his patience, his support, his love, and all the dinners he made.

And finally, last but not least, I thank my dear friend Benedict, who continues to point me in the direction of Christ and to guide my own spiritual journey.

Words of Encouragement for Those

New to the Rule of St. Benedict

Several people who’ve embraced the Benedictine way share here how this approach to life has been important to them. May their words inspire you.

As a busy mum with young children, my first encounter with Benedictine spirituality was life-changing. Spending four days away on retreat at a Benedictine Abbey introduced me to a God-centered rhythm of life. This brought me such peace, refreshment, and balance that I knew I had to be able to bring this with me into my busy world back home. That set me on a path to adopt a Benedictine Rule of Life that has supported me through the changing seasons of family life and helps to keep me anchored to God day by day. St Benedict’s Toolbox has been a great help in learning to apply Benedictine practices in very practical and accessible ways to my own life; and it’s a resource to come back to again and again. Most recently I’ve found the tools on living in the present moment speaking to my heart when I’ve felt overwhelmed with lists of things to do, the care of my family, and hospital appointments to chase up.

Suzanne, Oblate of Malling Abbey, UK

I read Benedict’s Rule and ask myself: how do I ever do THAT? That’s when Jane’s wise commentary speaks along with the instructions of Benedict. I am still a beginner, but trying hard to do what the Rule asks is what changes you. Using the Toolbox has helped to lead me through some tough struggles and closer to Christ. I encourage you to let this book and its author Jane Tomaine speak to you as parents who love you along your journey with Christ.

William A. Stewart

Associate of the Order of the Holy Cross (West Park, NY)

East Stroudsburg, PA

Benedict’s teachings are a gift passed down through the ages, providing practical yet deep truths about human nature. The Rule addresses our basic needs for meaning and for belonging. St. Benedict teaches us to be gentle with ourselves and with one another, recognizing Christ in our daily interactions. Wherever we may be in life, we can draw upon this wisdom to lead contemplative lives and to foster life-giving relationships. I find these to be the most deeply satisfying expressions of my faith.

Megan Boyle

Oblate of St. Benedict’s Monastery (St. Joseph, MN)

Durham, NC

By its size the thin volume titled the Rule of Benedict, written as it was in the sixth century, might at first give one the impression that it can only offer an abbreviated form of ancient Christian spirituality. However, as brief as it is, what Benedict wrote continues to offer readers in-depth contemporary spiritual advice for the twenty-first century. I found that in St. Benedict’s Toolbox, Jane Tomaine carefully explores the Rule and offers insights, interpretations, and suggestions that were extremely helpful to me in gaining a greater appreciation and better understanding of Benedict’s wisdom.

The Rev. Dr. Lee Doucette

Minneapolis, MN

Encountering the Rule of St. Benedict was a major life-changing, life-enhancing experience for me. As a consequence, it has been my desire to share the teachings related to Benedictine spirituality with others who were seeking God. One of the ways of achieving this included providing spiritual life retreats. Utilizing the gifts of the Rev. Dr. Jane Tomaine as a retreat leader and her comprehensive book, St. Benedict’s Toolbox, it was possible to teach people about a variety of tools that could be employed in living the Benedictine life. Of particular interest to me was the chapter on the prayer of lectio divina, listening to God in Scripture. This practice of holy reading is presented in a very systematic way, assisting both individuals and groups in the process of reading Scripture in a life-giving way. As a pastor I have been leading lectionary-based lectio divina groups for a number of years and would enthusiastically encourage others to experiment with this approach to Scripture.

Rev. Genevieve M. Dox, Pastor

First Congregational Church of Antwerp, NY—United Church of Christ

Oblate of Transfiguration Monastery in Windsor, NY

Jane’s luminous voice, in each word of St. Benedict’s Toolbox, makes the Rule’s ancient precepts contemporary, accessible, useful, and astonishing! Since the first printing, St. Benedict’s Toolbox has: intensified the majesty of the Bible through lectio divina; given me effective tools to understand and incorporate hospitality as a way of life; guided me on the path to self-discipline and hard work; reaffirmed the spiritual dimension of all work; and enlightened me to the beckoning call of Christ every moment of every day. The mindfulness of a Christ-centered life is graciously presented in St. Benedict’s Toolbox. The book is an excellent study guide for groups, as well as a personal guidebook for everyday living.

Mary Beth Starrett

Christ Lutheran Church in Zionsville, IN

Carmel, IN

Welcome to St. Benedict’s Toolbox

Fifteen centuries ago a young man turned his back on his studies and on the worldly city of Rome and ventured forth into the Italian countryside in search of something more important than education, more valuable than position, and more precious than wealth. Motivated by a force whose power surpassed any of these, this young man was driven by his quest for God. As he searched, his wisdom, understanding, and compassion grew. Others on the same quest gathered around him. He guided them and they learned from him. He pointed the way to Christ through the Gospels. His name was Benedict of Nursia.

While most of us will never live alone in a cave for three years as this man did, or establish monastic houses in Italy, or write a Rule, you and I also seek God. We search for the joy that cannot fade. We long to banish the sense of dis-ease that can permeate our lives. We crave the peace that comes when we rest in God’s arms. We want to be good disciples of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We desire to be channels for God’s grace and love in a world that is cold and disinterested.

And so we ask St. Benedict to be our guide. As you read this book, you’ll become acquainted with this remarkable yet humble man through the words of the monastic Rule that he wrote for his fellow sixth-century monks. The wisdom of this Rule still speaks profoundly to us today. As you and I learn about and practice parts of this Rule, St. Benedict becomes our loving spiritual father too. I can’t imagine a better spiritual father in zeal, compassion, humility, wisdom—and even in his sense of humor!

And so, I welcome you to this journey with St. Benedict. As he would bid the monk at the gate to say to a visitor, so I say to you: Your blessing, please.¹

GUIDE TO USING THE BOOK

The How-To of

St. Benedict’s Toolbox

The Nuts and Bolts of the Book

Listen carefully, my child, to my instructions,

and attend to them with the ear of your heart.

This is advice from one who loves you;

welcome it and faithfully put it into practice.

—THE RULE OF SAINT BENEDICT: PROLOGUE, VERSE 1¹

Listen. The very first word of the Rule tells us what’s important for us to do. We’re to be attentive, alert, and open to what Benedict is going to share with us and, ultimately, to all of life around us. This listening is not just with the mind to process information. It’s listening from a deeper part of our being that longs for connection and relationship—with God, with others, and within ourselves. St. Benedict’s Toolbox gives you Benedict’s path of listening and asks you to listen with the ear of your heart.

This section of the book will tell you how I organized the book and will give you my thoughts about how to read it and use the tools for spiritual practice that are offered. Think of this section as the user’s manual for St. Benedict’s Toolbox

The Format of This Book

St. Benedict’s Toolbox: The Nuts and Bolts of Everyday Benedictine Living is designed to teach about the Rule of Benedict and to help you, the reader (and me, the writer!), bring what we learn about this sixth-century monastic Rule into everyday twenty-first-century life. As you read, you’ll discover just how much of his Rule can deepen our relationship with God and increase the quality of our lives by giving us tools that we can use, in Benedict’s words, to open our eyes to the light that comes from God.² Unlike what most of us would expect from a rule, Benedict’s concern is always to form the underlying attitude and motivation, the disposition of the heart, which determines the way in which we see and handle our lives.³ We give our heart to Benedict so that he can help to form it in the image of Christ!

Each chapter first presents various aspects of the Rule. If you wish, take a moment to scan the table of contents. Each chapter has a special Benedictine Chapter Practice inviting you to put a key aspect of that chapter into practice as you read. The chapter practice offers questions to consider or specific things to look for or do as you read.

Then, at the end of the chapter, you’ll find the Toolbox, which contains tools to help you apply what you learned to daily life. These tools are varied in their content and application. Some offer instruction on prayer and other spiritual disciplines. Some ask you to reflect on your life in light of what you learned about the Rule. Others give suggestions for maintaining healthy relationships in your life. Still others address how you spend your time, how you view your work, and how you might live a more Christ-centered life. Each tool in the Toolbox has three parts:

1. Purpose: A brief statement about what the tool is designed to do.

2. Background: An explanation of the rationale for the tool—for example, how it ties into the Rule of Benedict and how it might be important to your spiritual life or to your relationships.

3. The Tool: A step-by-step guide to using the tool.

Before continuing you might wish to take a look at one or two tools to see the format.

You don’t need to use all the tools as you read this book. Choose the ones that seem interesting to you or those that will help you develop your spiritual, relational, and personal skills and abilities. You may begin to use certain tools as you read this book and then, later, come back and try new ones.

In appendix A on page 251, you’ll find a complete list of tools by chapter. If you have access to the Internet, I invite you to log on to www.stbenedictstoolbox.org. There you’ll find a chart to help you keep track of the tools you’re using, as well as a chart that cross-references each tool to a subject: prayer, listening for God, relationships, work, and so on. The charts can be downloaded.

For the Tool Tracking and Tools by Subject Charts, visit www.stbenedictstoolbox.org and click on Resources.

Finally, each chapter ends with an Interlude, offering a change of pace to the reading. These are either stories or reflections relating to the topic in that chapter.

How to Read This Book

I recall years ago when I first read the books in The Lord of the Ring series. They were so interesting and engaging that I literally galloped through them, especially the last half of the final book of the trilogy. Please don’t read this book in the same way! I hope you will find this book interesting and pray that it engages you, but this book is designed to be read more slowly, giving time to both digest and practice what Benedict teaches. The best way to use this book is to take one chapter at a time: read the chapter, reflect on what you’ve read, and respond by using the Toolbox.

The pace at which you read this book and use the tools in the Toolbox is up to you. Go at a pace that makes sense for you. It’s important that you give yourself time to digest the informational portion of each chapter and to use one or more of the tools that are at the end of each chapter.

Here are some reading options:

• Read a chapter at the beginning of a one- or two-week period. Choose one or more of the tools to use throughout that time.

• Read a chapter and set your own time interval for that chapter. Use the tools for that chapter during that time interval.

• If you’re reading this book in a group, decide together how long to spend on each chapter.

Suggestions for Using the Tools in the Toolbox

Reading the Rule and books about the Rule is inspiring and touches both mind and heart. But if we don’t take the time and effort to bring that inspiration into our own lives, we will have missed a main aspect of the Rule, which is to provide ways to live the Gospel and to follow Jesus. And so I bid you a hearty invitation to be faithful in your use and practice of the tools in the Toolbox. Here are a few thoughts that I have about using the tools …

• When you finish reading each chapter and you’re ready to decide on which tools to use, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You might even use the prayer of St. Benedict in the book on page 5.

• Choose tools that are interesting to you and stretch you, but don’t take on too much at once. Benedict was clear about this in the Rule: people need to be challenged but not overwhelmed.⁴

• It’s best to choose one or two tools in a chapter at a time. You can always go back and try other tools later.

• When you go on to a new chapter, keep using tools from the previous chapters.

• As you continue reading through the book, go back to the Toolbox in earlier chapters and try other tools.

• If a tool isn’t working for you, try a different one. Then go back later and see if the first tool might now offer you something helpful.

Don’t throw in the towel if something initially seems too difficult! Growth is never easy. Try using part of a tool. You might also try breaking a tool into smaller steps; then celebrate as you accomplish or work on each one.

Keep in mind as you read one of the main goals of this book is to deepen your relationship with God. It’s to be a spiritual journey and not an exercise to finish as quickly as possible. Like the Bible, the Rule of Benedict offers a lifetime of insight and guidance that’s not absorbed quickly. Take the time to savor the wisdom of Benedict as you seek Christ and his love.

Reading the Toolbox in a Group Setting

In chapter 2 of the Rule, The Kinds of Monastics, Benedict stresses the importance of community in one’s search for God. He knows that we learn and are challenged to grow by being with each other. Many churches and Christian organizations have studied the Rule by reading St. Benedict’s Toolbox together and have found the group setting valuable in learning and understanding the Rule as well as in applying it to their lives. Another true benefit is the formation of community and friendships in Christ. Please check out appendix B for suggestions on how to use St. Benedict’s Toolbox in a group setting.

Keeping a Journal

I knew a woman who had kept a personal journal for years. At the day’s end she would pick up her pen, take out her journal, and record the events of the day. She remarked to me once that there have been many times that she’d go back and reread portions of old journals to understand her journey.

Journaling