The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century

By Joan Chittister

This new edition of a classic religious text combines the timeless wisdom of Benedict of Nursia's Rule with the perceptive commentary of a renowned Benedictine mystic and scholar. In her new introduction to the Rule, the author boldly claims that Benedict's sixth-century text is the only one of great traditions that directly touches the contemporary issues facing the human community—stewardship, conversion, communication, reflection, contemplation, humility, and equality. Tracing Benedict's original Rule paragraph by paragraph, it expands its principles into the larger context of spiritual living in a secular world and makes the seemingly archaic instructions relevant for a contemporary audience. A new foreword, updated content, an appendix, and a recommended calendar for reading the entries and commentaries make this an invaluable resource for solitary or communal contemplation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Crossroad Publishing Company
• Release date: Jan 9, 2017
• ISBN: 9780824523220

Joan Chittister

Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, is a Benedictine nun and an international lecturer. In her more than 50 years as a nun she has authored 40 books, including her most recent, the critically acclaimed The Gift of Years.  Sister Joan is the founder and current executive director of Benetvision, a resource and research center for contemporary spirituality that located in Erie, PA.

Reviews for The Rule of Benedict

[shannonkearns · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

i loved this book. reading the rule of benedict was really interesting and chittister's reflections on it were insightful and moving. there is much to be gained from reading this rule and implementing into your life (even if you don't live in a monastery).

[roydknight · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you are looking for a good devotional commentary on the Rule of Benedict for each day, I highly recomment this one. While scholarly, it does not come across as such. A rule a day is accompanied with a few words by one of the best Benedictine writers of our time. Very practical advice comes through as one ponders the Rule of the day. This book takes the reader throuth the entire Rule of Benedict three times in any given year.