September 17

Chapter 3 pt. 2

The Rule of St. Benedict September 17

Part of what it means for us to bear the title "Benedictine" is for us to accept the Rule of St. Benedict as a rule, or a standard, by which to measure our lives.  This does not imply that we subject ourselves to a simple, one-to-one application of the Rule, but rather that we each submit ourselves to the authority of the Rule instead of to our "own heart's fancy" in matters pertaining to our spiritual formation.

Such submission takes place in the realm of practice.  There is no Benedictine spirituality without the Daily Office in some form or another.  Prayer, balanced with work and study, in the course of a daily schedule, creates the conditions that form us into people who are at home where God is at home.

Br. Chad 2012