A modern approach to spiritual deepening using the ancient, but wise Rule of St. Benedict. The Rule of St. Benedict continues to attract those who seek to live a deeper life, connected to Christ. But with such an ancient text, how can we authentically engage St. Benedict’s Rule in a manner that is true to its profound insights―and to our own spiritual journey? Norvene Vest suggests that the answer lies in the way we read the Rule. “It shouldn’t be studied like a book of regulations, or a school textbook. It should be read as lectio divina.” This profound yet very practical volume speaks to our urgent spiritual need. People yearn for an interior life deeply rooted in God, humanly balanced, and substantially founded in the Christian heritage. Vest offers a valuable resource by rendering much more accessible the spiritual wealth of the key text of the ancient Benedictine charism. Here is the solid, balanced wisdom that has nourished and guided innumerable Christians for nearly fifteen centuries. "I am very happy with this approach to the Rule. Those who use it will certainly develop the kind of intimacy with the spirit of Benedict that brings it alive in our own time." ―Joan Chittister, OSB, author of Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today "I much appreciate the sense of the presence of the sacramental in the midst of the ordinary. I look forward to recommending the book to others." ―Rt. Rev. Fred Borsch, retired Bishop of Los Angeles "I am very happy with this approach to the Rule. Those who use it will certainly develop the kind of intimacy with the spirit of Benedict that brings it alive in our own time." ―Joan Chittister, OSB, author of Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today "I much appreciate the sense of the presence of the sacramental in the midst of the ordinary. I look forward to recommending the book to others." ―Rt. Rev. Fred Borsch, retired Bishop of Los Angeles Norvene Vest has been involved in Christian formation for 30 years through one-to-one spiritual direction, leading retreats and workshops, and writing books. She is the author of Preferring Christ, Still Listening, and Tending the Holy. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia. Preferring Christ A Devotional Commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict By Norvene Vest Church Publishing Incorporated Copyright © 1990 Norvene Vest All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8192-1991-6 Contents ForewordIntroductionThe PrologueInterlude IFoundational Matters1. The Various Kinds of Monks2. What Kind of Person the Abbot Ought to Be3. Summoning the Community for Counsel4. The Instruments of Good WorksInterlude IIMonastic Virtues5. Obedience6. Restraint of Speech7. HumilityInterlude IIIThe Divine Office8. The Divine Office at Night9. How Many Psalms Are Sung at the Night Hours10. How the Night Office Is to Be Sung in Summer11. How Vigils Is Sung on Sunday12. How the Office of Lauds Is to Be Sung13. How Lauds Are Sung on Ordinary Weekdays14. The Celebration of Vigils on the Anniversaries of Saints15. At What Times of the Year "Alleluia" Is Sung16. How the Work of God Is to Be Performed during the Day17. How Many Psalms Are to Be Sung at These Hours18. In What Order the Psalms Are to be Sung19. The Discipline of Singing Psalms20. On Reverence in PrayerInterlude IVDisciplines of Community21. The Deans of the Monastery22. How the Monks Are to Sleep23. Excommunication for Faults24. Degrees of Excommunication25. Serious Faults26. Those Who Associate with the Excommunicated27. The Abbot's Care for the Excommunicated28. Those Who Do not Amend after Frequent Correction29. Whether Those Who Leave May Be Readmitted30. The Manner of Reproving ChildrenInterlude VDomestic Arrangements31. The Qualities of the Monastery Cellarer32. The Tools and Possessions of the Monastery33. Whether Monks Ought to Own Anything34. Distribution of Goods according to Need35. Weekly Servers in the Kitchen36. The Sick37. The Old and Children38. The Weekly Reader39. The Appropriate Amount of Food40. The Appropriate Amount of Drink41. At What Hours the Community is to Take Meals42. That No One May Speak after ComplineInterlude VILukewarmness and Its Remedies43. Those Who Arrive Late at the Work of God or at Table44. How the Excommunicated Are to Make Satisfaction45. Those Who Make Mistakes in the Oratory46. Those Who Offend in Other MattersInterlude VIIThe Consecration of Mundane Activities47. Announcing the Hours for the Work of God48. The Daily Manual Labor49. The Observance of Lent50. Those Working at a Distance from the Oratory or Traveling51. Those on a Short Journey52. The Oratory of the Monastery53. The Reception of Guests54. Letters or Gifts for Monks55. The Clothing and Footwear of the Monks56. The Abbot's Table57. The Artisans of the MonasteryInterlude VIIIMembership and Governance within the Community58. The Procedure for Receiving Members59. The Offering of Children by the Noble or the Poor60. Priests Who Wi