Listening with the Ear of the Heart: A Guide to Benedictine Monastic Life and the Rule of St. Benedict

Whether you are simply curious about monastic life or discerning a vocation to the Benedictine way, the Rule of St Benedict continues to speak with surprising relevance to the human heart. Written in the 6th Century, this timeless text forms the spiritual and practical foundation of Roman Catholic Benedictine monasticism - a life rooted in prayer, work, community and listening deeply to God.

This annotated bibliography brings together essential commentaries, devotional reflections and scholarly resources on the Rule of St. Benedict, along with key writings on lectio divina, the contemplative reading of Scripture that lies at the heart of monastic spirituality. Also included are online tools and formation materials, making it accessible whether you're a casual inquirer, an oblate, or a man seriously exploring monastic life.

Each title here opens a different window into the Benedictine tradition - some offer accessible introductions, others delve deep into Scripture, history or spiritual practice. May this collection guide you gently but firmly toward that still point where “Christ is preferred above all,” and where monastic wisdom offers clarity, stability and peace in a noisy world.

Rule of St Benedict: Commentaries

Rule of St. Benedict Chittister, Joan, O.S.B. The Rule of Saint Benedict: Insight for the Ages. New York: Crossroads, 1992, 2002.

de Waal, Esther. Life-Giving Way: A Commentary on the Rule of Saint Benedict. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1995.

Dumm, Demetrius, O.S.B. Cherish Christ Above All: The Bible in the Rule of Benedict. New York: Paulist, 1996.

Fry, Timothy, O.S.B., ed. RB80. The Rule of St. Benedict. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1981.

Kardong, Terrence, O.S.B. Benedict's Rule: A Translation and Commentary. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1996.

Stead, Julian, O.S.B. St. Benedict's Rule for Beginners. New Rochelle: New City Press, 1993.

Taylor, Brian. Spirituality for Everyday Living: An Adaptation of the Rule of St. Benedict. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1989.

Tvedten, Benet, O.S.B. Share in the Kingdom: A Commentary on the Rule of Saint Benedict for Oblates. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1989.

Vest, Norvene. Preferring Christ. A Devotional Commentary and Workbook on the Rule of St. Benedict. Trabuco Canyon, CA: Source, 1991.

The Rule of St. Benedict Library. Primary and Secondary Sources. Ed. Scott Rains. CD-ROM. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1999. [Contains RB80, Kardong's commentary and translation, Latin and English bibles, Rule of the Master, De Waal, Life-Giving Way, Early Monastic Rules. A powerful study aid.]

The Life of Saint Benedict (Gregory the Great, Dialogues, Book II).

Gregory the Great, The Life of Benedict, Adalbert de Vogüé, com., Hilary Costello and Eoin de Bhaldraithe, tr. Petersham, MA: St. Bede, 1993

Books on Lectio Divina

Casey, Michael, O.C.S.O. Sacred Reading: The Ancient Art of Lectio Divina. Ligouri, MO: Triumph Books, 1997.

Colombás, Garcia M., O.S.B. Reading God: Lectio Divina. Schuyler, NE: BMH Publications, 1993.

Hall, Thelma. Too Deep for Words: Rediscovering Lectio Divina. New York: Paulist, 1988.

Magrassi, Mariano, O.S.B. Praying the Bible: An Introduction to Lectio Divina. Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1998.

Pennington, Basil, O.C.S.O. Lectio Divina: Renewing the Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures. New York: Crossroad, 1998.

Vest, Norvene. No Moment Too Small: Rhythms of Silence and Reading. Kalamazoo: Cistercian, 1994.

Online Resources for Oblates

Academic Resources About Saint Benedict - www.osb.org/gen/bendct.html (by the late Abbot Jerome Theisen, OSB)

Rule of Benedict -- www.osb.org/rb/ (by chapters or as daily readings; you can have it mailed to you automatically each day; Leonard Doyle translation)

Dialogues, Bk II (Life of St. Benedict by Gregory the Great) -- www.osb.org/gen/ (old translation somewhat updated; available in smaller files with index)

American Monastic Newsletter -- www.osb.org/aba

General information -- www.osb.org/gen/ (links to saints, lectio divina, geographic database and addresses)

A complete course in early monastic history: www.scourmont.be/studium/bresnard

Spiritual Resources Daily Reflection -- www.sja.osb/slp/ (by Don Talafous, OSB)

Liturgy of the Hours online -- www.universalis.com

Readings and Psalm Cycle for Liturgy of the Hours from Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, KS-- www.mountosb.org/LOH/

Lectio divina -- www.osb.org/lection/

Listening and Responding: Benedictine Spirituality in Non-Monastic Contexts by Wil Derkse - www.stthomas.edu/cathstudies/logos/derkse.html

Various topics: www.osb.org/cist/melleray

Excellent prayer site by Irish Jesuits -- www.jesuit.ie/prayer/

Oblates Oblate Formation -- www.osb.org/obl/

St. Vincent Archabbey, PA -- Oblation Formation Manual -- www.osb.org/sva/obl/

St. Andrew's Abbey, CA -- What It Means to be an Oblate;

Oblate Constitutions - www.valyermo.com/oblates1.html

Oblates of the World Community of Christian Meditation (Laurence Freeman, OSB, Monastery of Christ the King, London) -- www.wccm.org.obl01.htm

WITH MANY THANKS to Sr Mary Benedict of St Cecilia’s Abbey, Isle of Wight for her kind inspiration.