Monasticism - book recommendations?

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Hello,

I wonder if people have any recommendations on monasticism or monastic spirituality?

Ones available on kindle particularly welcome but not essential (I have intermittent eye problems and the choice of font sizes on Kindle is very useful).
 
The Rule of St. Benedict is a good one to read, since it gives you a feel for what grounds the majority of western monastic communities today (most monastic orders follow at least a modified version of it).

-ACEGC
 
The Rule of St. Benedict is a good one to read, since it gives you a feel for what grounds the majority of western monastic communities today (most monastic orders follow at least a modified version of it).

-ACEGC
I second that. It takes a few times through. But it is short and concise.
 
I would recommend the Rule as well, but also perhaps a commented version of the Rule. It can seem a little harsh at first, it needs to be put into context.
 
Thanks all

I’m pretty familiar with the rule as I read a bit each day, but does anyone have any favourite commentaries on it?

Jason, yes, I wasn’t sure where to post something about monasticism (perhaps a slight gap in the division of CAF?). If people are like me they tend to only look at one or two sub-forums - so I thought I’d hit the two I thought most likely to have people interested in this area of that faith.

God bless +
 
Thanks all

I’m pretty familiar with the rule as I read a bit each day, but does anyone have any favourite commentaries on it?

Jason, yes, I wasn’t sure where to post something about monasticism (perhaps a slight gap in the division of CAF?). If people are like me they tend to only look at one or two sub-forums - so I thought I’d hit the two I thought most likely to have people interested in this area of that faith.

God bless +
Yes I have a favourite commentary, but it’s only in French.
 
Thanks - that’s on my Birthday list (next month, so this is handy timing!).
Its an outstanding commentary. Its developed in the same fashion that one might approach a narrative review article in the biological sciences for research purposes. Like a good scholarly review article, the authors consulted scores of other commentaries in a variety of languages to develop their comments. In fact, as it was originally written in French, I would be shocked if the authors did not consult the commentary mentioned by OraLabora above. Michel, I would be happy to check on this if you would be kind enough to remind me which one you are referring to.

It has the Nihil obstat from Basilius Stegmann, OSB; the Imprimi potest from Abbot Joannis Batp., OSB; and the Imprimatur from Bishop J.F. Busch.

It is broken up into daily readings which follow the schedule commonly used by others in the Order. The reading for each day is followed up with a Commentary section which focuses on the intent of St. Benedict as commented on by other learned scholars of the Rule, as well as some historical-critical analysis. That section is then followed by an Application section, which focuses how to live this part of the Holy Rule in our lives outside of the monastery.

All in all, its brilliant, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The section at the beginning on the history of Benedictine Oblates is almost worth getting the book by itself.
 
Its an outstanding commentary. Its developed in the same fashion that one might approach a narrative review article in the biological sciences for research purposes. Like a good scholarly review article, the authors consulted scores of other commentaries in a variety of languages to develop their comments. In fact, as it was originally written in French, I would be shocked if the authors did not consult the commentary mentioned by OraLabora above. Michel, I would be happy to check on this if you would be kind enough to remind me which one you are referring to.

It has the Nihil obstat from Basilius Stegmann, OSB; the Imprimi potest from Abbot Joannis Batp., OSB; and the Imprimatur from Bishop J.F. Busch.

It is broken up into daily readings which follow the schedule commonly used by others in the Order. The reading for each day is followed up with a Commentary section which focuses on the intent of St. Benedict as commented on by other learned scholars of the Rule, as well as some historical-critical analysis. That section is then followed by an Application section, which focuses how to live this part of the Holy Rule in our lives outside of the monastery.

All in all, its brilliant, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The section at the beginning on the history of Benedictine Oblates is almost worth getting the book by itself.
I did a scan of today’s reading and the corresponding commentary in case anyone is interested in seeing what type of information is presented and what the layout is like. I used my phone as a scanner so the quality is not the greatest. Hopefully it is good enough to get an idea of things.

Peace,
 
I am particularly attracted to the Cistercian branch of monasticism and can recommend the following titles first hand.

Overview of Cistercian Monastic Spirituality

The Cisterican Way by Andre Louf

littlerockscripture.org/covers/0879079762.jpg

Mysticism

The Sun at Midnight: Monastic Experienc of the Christian Mystery by Bernardo Olivera OCSO

bks0.books.google.com/books?id=VL2wCc3V4ekC&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&edge=curl&imgtk=AFLRE70oH4htHwyPsaC0OVGVucUwUbok9fCtKjP0Rxai7oGy8nSUmj-J6NUlnW1d9IpocH0QDr6ZdLen-FaIZkD60MOymak5jw0f4yEea52NApivY5nynkdM6Cm7g4jWVyNEafUuveHY

Prayer

Praying with Benedict: Prayer in the Rule of St. Benedict by Korneel Vermeiren OSCO.

bks2.books.google.com/books?id=2h7qAAAACAAJ&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&imgtk=AFLRE728vm78IQvgcheGnNIcArxKeKjmJUa39aeYVcL-cP0xTYsj0imcmVaXOgKqRaiWw-s9Aog8oX5IUnPAmos4UgtPWoRgSkRfjr0MLaGPK9v0JkGxBvxIJKjQRKw_x1PC0YvOnlgy

Lectio Divina

Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina by Michael Casey.

bks3.books.google.com/books?id=MTMpPAAACAAJ&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&imgtk=AFLRE70GAU0tbji3iPTEfpeH5B6nz9fMoDM6AzfWVR7UjbpVdeq90XlZNGDUa8Q2SrzgOwbV5tLnIsZZo9IAvAnwiFklFrPoOEF4SBIibSYFZqC_MARL-baX0Q0OPdpCoIlZeJHuhnLN

Benedictine Monastic Spirituality for the Lay Person

The Oblate Life by various authors.

bks5.books.google.com/books?id=g_XHSJtqX5cC&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&edge=curl&imgtk=AFLRE72NR-9_e2smnPSFCAA6FL-BwVfXnO5f4dB0h6NuEGr5hGeCnuevmBSXd34LWflXsD2n-zikgozdmGzO9ABAi4fGtDBKadPa_UdIvCgF44QuxMn_7fSVWBq2N2MelcAVnjiJJwpl

Happy reading!

-Tim-
 
Duplicate Thread – See same thread in Spirituality Sub Forum

Thanks
 
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