Study Questions for
St. Benedict's Rule
- According to the Preface, Pages 9 and 11,
what was the condition of Italy in Benedict's day? Why?
- How is this condition related to his
writing of the Rule?
- Prologue, 1st paragraph. What attitude
does Benedict believe is necessary in one who desires to follow this path?
- How does his use of the word "school"
help explain what he thinks the purpose of the monastic life is? (In the
original Latin, the word is "schola"!)
- Chapter 1: What are the 4 kinds of monks
and what characterizes them?
- Chapter 4: How would you summarize the
tools for good works?
- Chapter 7: What are the 12 steps in the
ladder of humility?
- Chapter 16: What are the eight canonical
hours, and when are they?
If you're interested, here are some links
to look at:
Catholic
Encyclopedia article on The Canonical Hours
The Coptic Orthodox Canonical
Hours
Canonical Hours
- Chapter 18, last paragraph: How long
should it take to get through the Psalms? How long did the earlier Fathers take
to read through the Psalms?
- Chapters 23-29: What is Benedict's
attitude toward those who err?
- Chapters 33, 55, 58, 59: Why do you
think Benedict forbids private ownership of any possessions in the monastery?
- Chapters 38, 42, 47: What is the job of
the reader and what should he read? What should his attitude be?
- Summarize the procedure for receiving
brothers [new monks].
- Chapter 73: How can one progress beyond
the beginning offered in the Rule?
- How would you describe the life of a
monastery governed by the Rule? What is your reaction to this kind of life?
Why?
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