The Benedictine Way

The first step in the Benedictine Way is a daily attentiveness to God, listening through prayer and the Scriptures, guided by the Rule and the spiritual tradition that has grown out of it. Benedict writes that God is waiting for each person to stop running and to listen: "once you have done this, my eyes will be upon you and my ears will listen for your prayers; and even before you ask me, I will say to you, here I am." This simple commitment is what begins every person's living of the Benedictine Way and a whole new experience of life.

Structure

A Benedictine Way group is typically composed of a number of participants who form a Chapter. The group is led or chaired by the Prior. a man or woman, who rotates periodically at the discretion of the Chapter. Usually, the group meets once a week or every other week. Living in the spirit of St. Benedict's Rule the community focuses on prayer, work and study and the balance of these in everyday life. When gathered together, many Benedictine groups participate in some or all of these community activities:

• Vespers or Evening Prayer
• Chapter Meeting
• Bible Study
• Lectio Divina
• Study of St. Benedict's Rule of Life Community meals
• Compline or Night Prayer

These collectively form the activities of the Benedictine community, a group centered on Christ, where "minds are in harmony with voices."

• Vespers: Traditionally the evening prayer office of the Church. It is the oldest and most important of the prayer offices sung during the day and is often celebrated with solemnity. Evensong in the Book of Common Prayer is composed of elements of both Vespers and Compline.
• Chapter: The assembly of the members of a religious community gathered to listen to a chapter of the monastic rule, instructions from the abbot of the monastery, or to discuss the general business of the community.
• Bible Study/Lectio Divinia: The prayerful, meditative reading of Scripture. Lectio Divina is an ancient practice of Benedictines. It is often done in private but may be done in small groups. There are a number of meditative stages, each focusing on one passage of Scripture which may have a special significance. Like the study of the Rule, Lectio Divina is a moment of listening to God through a few words and reflecting on their meaning for everyday life.
• Study of the Rule: Study of the rule is an important component of the Benedictine Way. Often, the Rule is read while a group is eating together or it may be the focus of a meditation. Members of the group may wish to focus on a different chapter of the Rule for each meeting and reflect on its impact on their lives. A number of commentaries are available for this purpose and they are included in the Benedictine Way bibliography.
• Work: Personal, business, or volunteer work constitutes work in the Benedictine Way. Benedict warns that "idleness is the enemy of the soul" and emphasizes the importance of being engaged in an intentional chosen activity. Benedict detailed instructions for the hours of manual work in a community, but makes clear that work is to be done in moderation and should always take into account health and physical strength. The emphases in balancing physical and spiritual activities lies at the heart of Benedictine spirituality.
• Compline: The last prayer office of the day, it is said or sung before retiring at night. Compline took its form from St. Benedict who ordered it to be sung in the Rule. Much of Compline is included in Evensong in the Book of Common Prayer.

The Community

While the format and size of groups may vary substantially, every Benedictine Way community should seek to be a spiritual haven, a place of hospitality and stability, a place of opportunity for strengthening reflection and meditation in the Benedictine tradition.

The Prior, in cooperation with members, should aim to establish and sustain a comfortable format for the group. Members of the group should become familiar with the Rule of St. Benedict and the writings of the Benedictine tradition. Members should help and encourage one another in exploring and applying the Rule and Benedictine writings through study and discussions at meetings. Sharing insights through study and work, and listening to God in community and private prayer are all intergral parts of the Benedictine Way for every member.

Participants in the Benedictine Way may find it useful to become familiar with a monastery in the Benedictine tradition. There are a number of traditions: Benedictine, Camaldolese, Cistercian, and others. Becoming a Benedictine oblate (or associate) of a monastery gives many the opportunity for a monastic spiritual home and lifetime source of spiritual growth.

Illus: "Benedict with Rule and Raven" © 1996 by Placid Stuckenschneider OSB, Saint John's Abbey. Drawing licensed exclusively for use by the Friends of St. Benedict, a tax exempt organization under section 501(c)3 as a public charity under section 509(c)4.