I loved it even though it was… shall we say… ? extreme in some rules. I began to understand not only the Benedictine Monastery, but the roots of all of other ‘separatist’ groups as well. The Order of St. Augustine, the Cappadocian Desert Fathers: Basil and Gregory of Nissa, the Dominicans, the Franciscans, The Carmelites, the Jesuits, Anabaptist groups: Mennonite, Amish and Hutterites, the Bruderhof, and…. well many others . Though-out Church History, many groups who truly attempt to leave the world behind in order to follow Jesus share commonalities: voluntary membership to The Rule, obedience to leadership and accountability to the community of faith, in which members allow a transcendent structure to manage their time, possessions and money.
The Beauty of the Rule of St. Benedict, however, is that is quite… truly Christian and biblical, more than Catholic with a capital C. While other orders may be more extremely ascetic— in its complete denial of any creature comforts, the Benedictine order revolves around 3 Disciplines: Prayer, Study and Work which really are the rule for every Christian. Most of the 73 Rules are generated from specific Scriptures in order to structure time, the work of God, the worship and prayer, study and work. The final rule, St Benedict writes, “The Reason we have this rule is that by observing it in monasteries, we can show that we have acquired some degree of virtue and the beginnings of a monastic — a perfected –life”. BE Ye Perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.”
What is in it for us today? a Model for Classical Education.
It is important to note that western civilization grew out of the monastic life from which disciplined believers developed schools. Today the same Rule can be used as a model for re- building families, schools and strengthening churches.
I recommend the Rule of St. Benedict as a great beginning in the conversation on how to train up children and and the community of faith.
The Great Conversation taken Captive 