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St. Benedict's Rule: An Inclusive Translation and Daily Commentary
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About St. Benedict's Rule: An Inclusive Translation And
Product Description The Rule of St. Benedict forms the foundation for one of the oldest ongoing institutions in all of Western civilization. The Rule not only defines life for men and women in monasteries but has also become central to the spirituality of lay Christians across the globe. This gender-neutral translation is true to the original text but provides an alternative for individuals and groups who prefer such a version over the masculine language of the original as it was written for St. Benedict’s monks. It also offers some background into the context in which it was written, as well as reflections on its meaning for contemporary life, making it a resource for those encountering the Rule for the first time or those who have cherished it for years. Review “Saint Benedict was a sixth-century man who wrote a Rule for monastic men. Some fifteen centuries later there are more Benedictine women than Benedictine men, and the usual reading of the Rule in community needs some adaptation in many situations. Judith Sutera has produced a translation of the Rule that seeks to maintain its meaning and challenge but has replaced gendered vocabulary with more neutral terms. She has produced a flowing translation that will serve the purpose of community reading well. In addition, she has added brief comments and questions to wake up those who are lulled into inattention by the familiarity of the text.” Michael Casey, OCSO “A lot of exegetical work was done beforehand, and a wide range of knowledge can be supposed. With joy we dive into this book and finish it being convinced about the value not only of the book but of the life it shows.” Sr. Aquinata Böckmann, OSB “Judith Sutera, OSB, has done the monastic tradition and the Christian Church in general a great service. As each new generation (re-)discovers the Rule of Benedict, not only as a legislative guide for monastic communities but also as a rich document of Christian spirituality, it needs an edition and translation that is relevant to the contemporary cultural context. Sutera's inclusive language edition will likely be the new standard edition for readers of the rule in the English language. Moreover, her concise yet rich and illuminative commentary serves as a more-than-adequate introduction and guide to understanding the mind of Benedict. Accessible and deceptively learned, this book should be the primary textbook for all schools of the Lord's service.” Rev. Dr. Greg Peters, Servants of Christ Research Professor of Monastic Studies and Ascetical Theology, Nashotah House Theological Seminary “Whether the reader is meeting the Rule of Benedict for the first time, or has lived by its wisdom for decades, Sister Judith's work offers an abundance of tools to listen for God's voice everywhere. The gender-neutral language is fluid, elegant, and timely. The commentary is just the right blend of scholarship, personal reflection from her lived experience, and practical observation that leads to understanding. And Sister Judith's reflection questions cut to the heart of the matter and prompt truthful meditation that is both active and contemplative. This is a treasure I look forward to returning to for years of prayerful rumination.” Kate Ritger, author of Benedictine Living: Reflections for Prayer and Meditation “What makes this book so special, and so useful to the reader, is that every word is informed by Judith Sutera’s lived experience. Her insights have been gleaned from years of monastic formation and living in the rock tumbler of a Benedictine community. The Rule may be Wisdom literature, but it’s also a way of life, and Sister Judith illuminates it in down-to-earth and accessible language.” Kathleen Norris, author of The Cloister Walk and Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer’s Life “I was not expecting Judith Sutera's book to be the devotional reader of the Rule of St. Benedict I never knew I needed. Reading the Rule every day is a beloved routine, and t
