Praying with Benedict
Prayer in the Rule of St. Benedict
Published on 1. May 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
144 pages
978-0-87907-790-7 (ISBN)
Description
Praying with Benedict explores the spirituality of the monastic tradition and draws out the essence of a way of praying that embraces the whole of the Christian's life.
Korneel Vermeiren begins by examining the spirituality of the early monastic tradition from the fourth to the sixth centuries. He looks at the central place of prayer in the Rule of St Benedict and the tradition of continuous prayer, exploring the teaching of such formative figures as Basil the Great. He then reflects on the Benedictine precept: 'nothing is to be preferred to the work of God'.
Praying with Benedict looks in practical terms at the how, when, and where of prayer; at bodily postures, various types of prayer, and the importance of emotional and spiritual readiness. Finally, the place of the Eucharist in the life of prayer is discussed with reference to Benedict's teaching and the Eucharistic practices of pre-Benedictine monasticism.
This book offers a clear presentation of monastic spirituality and opens it to persons outside monastery walls. It links St Benedict's teaching to earlier spiritual traditions and shows how various elements of monastic life complement each other. Common prayer, reading, personal prayer, and the Eucharist are not isolated from one another or from daily life, but are integral and essential elements of living in the spirit of St Benedict.
Korneel Vermeiren begins by examining the spirituality of the early monastic tradition from the fourth to the sixth centuries. He looks at the central place of prayer in the Rule of St Benedict and the tradition of continuous prayer, exploring the teaching of such formative figures as Basil the Great. He then reflects on the Benedictine precept: 'nothing is to be preferred to the work of God'.
Praying with Benedict looks in practical terms at the how, when, and where of prayer; at bodily postures, various types of prayer, and the importance of emotional and spiritual readiness. Finally, the place of the Eucharist in the life of prayer is discussed with reference to Benedict's teaching and the Eucharistic practices of pre-Benedictine monasticism.
This book offers a clear presentation of monastic spirituality and opens it to persons outside monastery walls. It links St Benedict's teaching to earlier spiritual traditions and shows how various elements of monastic life complement each other. Common prayer, reading, personal prayer, and the Eucharist are not isolated from one another or from daily life, but are integral and essential elements of living in the spirit of St Benedict.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Collegeville, MN
United States
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 203 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 8 mm
Weight
163 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-87907-790-7 (9780879077907)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Richard Yeo is Abbot of Downside and Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation, England.
Content
Contents
Abbreviations vii
Translator's Note viii
Translator's Introduction ix
I Prayer in the Rule and Continuous Prayer 1
Messalianism 11
Basil the Great 14
Abba Lucius 16
Melania the Younger 18
Origen, Evagrius and Cassian 20
Addendum 26
II 'Nothing Is to Be Preferred to the Work of God' 29
III The Work of God 41
The 'Work of God' in Holy Scripture 42
The 'Work of God' in Ancient Monastic Literature 44
How Did the Shift of Meaning Occur? 48
Conclusion 51
IV How, When and Where Is the Monk to Pray? 54
How? 56
The dispositions of the heart 56
Bodily posture 70
Types of prayer 76
Prayer of the hours and silent prayer 76
Lectio divina 82
Meditatio 90
When? 93
Where? 98
V The Eucharist in the Rule 103
Where Does Benedict Speak about the Eucharist? 104
Eucharistic Practice in Pre-Benedictine Monasticism 105
Eucharistic Practice in the Rule of the Master and the Rule of Benedict 110
Esteem for the Eucharist 112
Conclusion 113
Notes 117
Select Bibliography 127
Index of References to the Rule of Benedict 129
Abbreviations vii
Translator's Note viii
Translator's Introduction ix
I Prayer in the Rule and Continuous Prayer 1
Messalianism 11
Basil the Great 14
Abba Lucius 16
Melania the Younger 18
Origen, Evagrius and Cassian 20
Addendum 26
II 'Nothing Is to Be Preferred to the Work of God' 29
III The Work of God 41
The 'Work of God' in Holy Scripture 42
The 'Work of God' in Ancient Monastic Literature 44
How Did the Shift of Meaning Occur? 48
Conclusion 51
IV How, When and Where Is the Monk to Pray? 54
How? 56
The dispositions of the heart 56
Bodily posture 70
Types of prayer 76
Prayer of the hours and silent prayer 76
Lectio divina 82
Meditatio 90
When? 93
Where? 98
V The Eucharist in the Rule 103
Where Does Benedict Speak about the Eucharist? 104
Eucharistic Practice in Pre-Benedictine Monasticism 105
Eucharistic Practice in the Rule of the Master and the Rule of Benedict 110
Esteem for the Eucharist 112
Conclusion 113
Notes 117
Select Bibliography 127
Index of References to the Rule of Benedict 129