I love this idea, it is something I have often been thinking of lately and I’m not even Catholic. I think something we often don’t realize on modern times is the concept of a “household,” which was more of a singular unit in the time the New Testament was written. This is why I advocate for reconsidering the value of patriarchy. It’s more about stewardship than control, and as wives and homemakers, our role is also more about stewardship than impeccable homes.
Back in 2018 I had a blog called "Our Little Monastery." The idea was to write an essay per rule, similar to what you're proposing. I'm looking forward to this book study!
I was thinking more about this and remember a note I scribbled in a book margin, one that supports your idea of the home-as-monastery:
The monastery has a principle of order around which all of the design elements, from space to schedule and all that inhabit them, point to one thing--prayer. If the world is trying to keep you from that one activity, the monastery is trying to get you to *only do* that one activity.
The home can be the same. Arranged such that constant, unhindered prayer is facilitated. An ideal, to be sure, but a good one to strive for! And using St. Benedict’s Rule as a guide for getting there is a worthy cause.
I love this! That’s very much the goal of our book club, to facilitate a deeper understanding and application of all the wisdom St. Benedict has to offer! At least once or twice a week, James and I will read a chapter, finish our evening prayer, and just say, “Dang. That was so applicable to a very specific family situation.”
I love how we can almost scale this sense of order and right-ordered-ness from the personal up to the level of the Church as a whole!
I’m really excited to see someone going through St. Benedict’s Rule! It’s such a rich text and a wonderful way of following Jesus.
A lot of the writing relating his Rule to the home can be found in literature written by or for Oblates of St. Benedict. If you (or someone that comes across this comment) don’t know, “oblates” are those who have dedicated themselves to living according to St. Benedict’s Rule in the context of their homes rather than being cloistered in a monastery under perpetual vows. An oblate goes through spiritual formation for a time period (1 year, normally) with a particular monastery (St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota for me) and, once they make their final oblation, are a member of that monastery for life (unless the abbot transfers your oblation to the care of another monastery).
St. Meinrad’s Archabbey has a great prayerbook for oblates with prayers, novenas, and other rituals for around the home throughout the day:
This commentary is incredible, but written by a priest so he often makes comments that are directed at fellow clergy. Even still, wonderfully illuminating and practicable. If it works for a plumber, it’ll work for a mother. Highly recommended.
Finally, and although not specific to domestic life, there is no home that won’t benefit from this, The Via Vitae of St. Benedict by Dom. Bernard Hayes. He takes the entire Rule and arranges it for mental prayer. An absolute gift to those wanting to follow St. Benedict as he follows Jesus.
Nathaniel it’s so funny you link to the Clear Creek version of the Rule - I meant to add that link and the link to the TAN leatherette version because James is currently swooning over them 😂
Thank you for all these comments - I can’t wait to discuss the Rule with everyone over the next few weeks!
I love this idea, it is something I have often been thinking of lately and I’m not even Catholic. I think something we often don’t realize on modern times is the concept of a “household,” which was more of a singular unit in the time the New Testament was written. This is why I advocate for reconsidering the value of patriarchy. It’s more about stewardship than control, and as wives and homemakers, our role is also more about stewardship than impeccable homes.
Girl, amen! You and Julie have given me so much to think about these last few weeks so I hope y’all will join the conversation!
Aw praise God, that makes me happy!
Back in 2018 I had a blog called "Our Little Monastery." The idea was to write an essay per rule, similar to what you're proposing. I'm looking forward to this book study!
How neat! We’ve got such a great group here - I can’t wait to see how the discussions go!
Are you familiar with the book, "Domestic Monastery" by Fr Ronald Rochester? Such similar thoughts.
I’m not--I’ll have to look it up! Thanks for the recommendation!
*Rolheiser
I was thinking more about this and remember a note I scribbled in a book margin, one that supports your idea of the home-as-monastery:
The monastery has a principle of order around which all of the design elements, from space to schedule and all that inhabit them, point to one thing--prayer. If the world is trying to keep you from that one activity, the monastery is trying to get you to *only do* that one activity.
The home can be the same. Arranged such that constant, unhindered prayer is facilitated. An ideal, to be sure, but a good one to strive for! And using St. Benedict’s Rule as a guide for getting there is a worthy cause.
I love this! That’s very much the goal of our book club, to facilitate a deeper understanding and application of all the wisdom St. Benedict has to offer! At least once or twice a week, James and I will read a chapter, finish our evening prayer, and just say, “Dang. That was so applicable to a very specific family situation.”
I love how we can almost scale this sense of order and right-ordered-ness from the personal up to the level of the Church as a whole!
I'm in.
**LONG COMMENT ALERT**
I’m really excited to see someone going through St. Benedict’s Rule! It’s such a rich text and a wonderful way of following Jesus.
A lot of the writing relating his Rule to the home can be found in literature written by or for Oblates of St. Benedict. If you (or someone that comes across this comment) don’t know, “oblates” are those who have dedicated themselves to living according to St. Benedict’s Rule in the context of their homes rather than being cloistered in a monastery under perpetual vows. An oblate goes through spiritual formation for a time period (1 year, normally) with a particular monastery (St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota for me) and, once they make their final oblation, are a member of that monastery for life (unless the abbot transfers your oblation to the care of another monastery).
St. Meinrad’s Archabbey has a great prayerbook for oblates with prayers, novenas, and other rituals for around the home throughout the day:
https://www.saintmeinrad.org/oblates/resources/
This commentary is incredible, but written by a priest so he often makes comments that are directed at fellow clergy. Even still, wonderfully illuminating and practicable. If it works for a plumber, it’ll work for a mother. Highly recommended.
https://clearcreekmonks.org/gift-shop/commentary-for-benedictine-oblates-soft-cover/
Esther de Waal is a widely respected commentator on St. Benedict’s Rule and she writes for laypeople living a domestic life.
https://litpress.org/Products/1388/Seeking-God
Finally, and although not specific to domestic life, there is no home that won’t benefit from this, The Via Vitae of St. Benedict by Dom. Bernard Hayes. He takes the entire Rule and arranges it for mental prayer. An absolute gift to those wanting to follow St. Benedict as he follows Jesus.
https://www.amazon.com/Via-Vitae-St-Benedict-Arranged/dp/0343746417
Nathaniel it’s so funny you link to the Clear Creek version of the Rule - I meant to add that link and the link to the TAN leatherette version because James is currently swooning over them 😂
Thank you for all these comments - I can’t wait to discuss the Rule with everyone over the next few weeks!
*and the TAN version
I was hoping you would chime in. These are all great resources, thank you!