Good Benedictine Books from

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Luigi_Daniele

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I need some help, please.🙂
  1. I am looking for book suggestions by writers from Benedict’s era (or thereabouts). PLEASE no book recommendations from before Benedict’s time.
  2. Any new Benedictine book suggestions, too, please.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!🙂
 
Okay, how about Dorotheos of Gaza; Discourses and Sayings, translated and introduced by Eric Wheeler, O.S.B., Cistercian Publications, 1977.

St. Dorotheos (505-567) was a near contemporary of St. Benedict (480-547), and he wrote of the Eastern monastic experience which also influenced Benedict in the West. The early Christian writers sometimes tend to come across as overly harsh to me, which is understandable given the hard times during which they lived. Or maybe I am just soft :o. But Dorotheos lets his humanity shine through more than others, acknowledging some of his human weaknesses and foibles in a more endearing way than do some others from his time. As the preface of the above mentioned book states:

“Dorotheos of Gaza has something for almost everyone. What is more, he has so genial a way of saying it that we find ourselves not only listening, but listening with genuine enjoyment - and profit.”

If you want something brand new from the Benedictine inspired literary world, I can so far recommend* Befriending Silence; Discovering the Gifts of Cistercian Spirituality*, by Carl McColman, a Lay Cistercian of Holy Spirit Abbey in Georgia, although I am only a few chapters into this book. So far, so good!

Buon Natale!
 
christofirst said:
Okay, how about Dorotheos of Gaza; Discourses and Sayings, translated and introduced by Eric Wheeler, O.S.B., Cistercian Publications, 1977.

St. Dorotheos (505-567) was a near contemporary of St. Benedict (480-547), and he wrote of the Eastern monastic experience which also influenced Benedict in the West. The early Christian writers sometimes tend to come across as overly harsh to me, which is understandable given the hard times during which they lived. Or maybe I am just soft :o. But Dorotheos lets his humanity shine through more than others, acknowledging some of his human weaknesses and foibles in a more endearing way than do some others from his time. As the preface of the above mentioned book states:

“Dorotheos of Gaza has something for almost everyone. What is more, he has so genial a way of saying it that we find ourselves not only listening, but listening with genuine enjoyment - and profit.”

If you want something brand new from the Benedictine inspired literary world, I can so far recommend* Befriending Silence; Discovering the Gifts of Cistercian Spirituality*, by Carl McColman, a Lay Cistercian of Holy Spirit Abbey in Georgia, although I am only a few chapters into this book. So far, so good!

Buon Natale!
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SOOOOO Awesome! I’m so glad you could share!!!
 
The best Benedictine book I have ever seen is The Principles of Monasticism by Maurus Wolter. It describes how each congregation lives out the Holy Rule, supplying evidence from the RSB, the life of St Benedict, decrees and documents of the Church, the Saints, Doctors and Fathers of the Church. It covers conventual life, The Work of God, holy Poverty and Humility, Mortification and Chastity, Work and Obedience, Charity, Government of Monasteries. It weighs in at 800 pages.
Also anything by Gueranger or Marmion, of whom Wolter was a contemporary.
 
Luigi_Daniele said:
I need some help, please.🙂
  1. I am looking for book suggestions by writers from Benedict’s era (or thereabouts). PLEASE no book recommendations from before Benedict’s time.
  2. Any new Benedictine book suggestions, too, please.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!🙂
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Pope Gregory the Great may be the only one you will get. Read his writings, they are very good. But you are limiting yourself very much by requesting Benedictine books from the era of Benedict.
 
Maddie26 said:
The best Benedictine book I have ever seen is The Principles of Monasticism by Maurus Wolter. It describes how each congregation lives out the Holy Rule, supplying evidence from the RSB, the life of St Benedict, decrees and documents of the Church, the Saints, Doctors and Fathers of the Church. It covers conventual life, The Work of God, holy Poverty and Humility, Mortification and Chastity, Work and Obedience, Charity, Government of Monasteries. It weighs in at 800 pages.
Also anything by Gueranger or Marmion, of whom Wolter was a contemporary.
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How did I forget this?! Yes, this is a grand work. My friend gave me his copy and, without exaggerating, he had marked about 100 places in the book that he found particularly good. So many sticky notes!

Bl. Dom Marmion is also a master of the spiritual life; very Christo-centric.

I need to read more Gueranger!
 
I appreciate these suggestions as well, especially the one on silence.

It is hard sorting out through the lists to find something authentically Catholic. Blessed Marmion is always a safe bet. I can also highly recommend Lessons from St. Benedict: Finding Joy in Daily Life by Fr. Donald Raila OSB. He is the Oblate Director of St. Vincent’s Archabbey where I am an Oblate Novice. He is a good, humble monk. This is one of my favorite books.

Beware of anything by Joan Chittister OSB or Basil Pennington and Thomas Keating; both who are strong proponents of centering prayer.

I prefer to stick to Faithful Catholic Benedictine authors.

PAX!
Theresa George
 
Benedictine15 said:
I appreciate these suggestions as well, especially the one on silence.

It is hard sorting out through the lists to find something authentically Catholic. Blessed Marmion is always a safe bet. I can also highly recommend Lessons from St. Benedict: Finding Joy in Daily Life by Fr. Donald Raila OSB. He is the Oblate Director of St. Vincent’s Archabbey where I am an Oblate Novice. He is a good, humble monk. This is one of my favorite books.

Beware of anything by Joan Chittister OSB or Basil Pennington and Thomas Keating; both who are strong proponents of centering prayer.

I prefer to stick to Faithful Catholic Benedictine authors.

PAX!
Theresa George
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I will check that out. Thank you!

Agree completely with your cautions.
 
Fr. Raila’s book is very practical. I have so much highlighted in there. Blessed Columba Marmion is much deeper but his writings definitely touch the soul.

If you come across any other good traditional ones, please share. I find it a bit frustrating that we have to pick through so much.

PAX!
Theresa
 
Luigi Daniele…

Did I see somewhere that there is a Forum for Oblates?

PAX!
Theresa
 
Gratias Luigi!

It’s a shame it is not currently active.
 
Luigi,

I noticed you have a different pic and description. Have you become a Third Order Franciscan?
 
I am still looking for some good orthodox Benedictine books from trustworthy authors. I am tired of sorting through all the stuff, many which stray from Church’s teachings and some that ring of New Age. Am I the only one struggling with this? :blush:shrug:

Any recommendations would be appreciated. I am a Benedictine Oblate Novice…if that helps.

Please 😉
 
Benedictine15 said:
I am still looking for some good orthodox Benedictine books from trustworthy authors. I am tired of sorting through all the stuff, many which stray from Church’s teachings and some that ring of New Age. Am I the only one struggling with this? :blush:shrug:

Any recommendations would be appreciated. I am a Benedictine Oblate Novice…if that helps.

Please 😉
Click to expand...
You are not the only one.😉
 
Luigi Daniele,

You might have missed by previous post: are you 3rd Order Franciscan?

As far as authors, I know Marmion is safe and presently, my Oblate Director, Fr. Donald Raila. Not looking for anything super dense but with a bit of spiritual depth to it.

Gratias!
 
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