Sermons & Devotionals by St. Benedict of Nursia
St. Benedict of Nursia
The tenth degree of humility
The tenth degree of humility is that he be not ready and quick to laugh, for it is written, "The fool lifts up his voice in laughter" (Eccles. 21:23).... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
The third degree of humility
The third degree of humility is that a person for love of God submit himself to his Superior in all obedience, imitating the Lord, of whom the Apostle says, "He became obedient even unto death."... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
The twelfth degree of humility
The twelfth degree of humility is that a monk not only have humility in his heart but also by his very appearance make it always manifest to those who see him. That is to say that whether he is at the Work of God, in the oratory, in the monastery, in the garden, on the road, in the fields or anywher... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
Therefore, when anyone receives the name of Abbess
Therefore, when anyone receives the name of Abbess, she ought to govern her disciples with a twofold teaching. That is to say, she should show them all that is good and holy by her deeds even more than by her words, expounding the Lord's commandments in words to the intelligent among her disciples, ... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
This vice especially
This vice especially is to be cut out of the monastery by the roots. Let no one presume to give or receive anything without the Abbot's leave, or to have anything as his own-- anything whatever, whether book or tablets or pen or whatever it may be-- since they are not permitted to have even their bo... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
Those sisters who are working at a great distance
Those sisters who are working at a great distance and cannot get to the oratory at the proper time -- the Abbess judging that such is the case -- shall perform the Work of God in the place where they are working, bending their knees in reverence before God. Likewise those who have been sent on a jou... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
To fear the Day of Judgment
44. To fear the Day of Judgment. 45. To be in dread of hell. 46. To desire eternal life with all the passion of the spirit. 47. To keep death daily before one's eyes. 48. To keep constant guard over the actions of one's life. 49. To know for certain that God sees one everywhere. 50. When evil though... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
To fulfill God's commandments daily in one's deeds
62. To fulfill God's commandments daily in one's deeds. 63. To love chastity. 64. To hate no one. 65. Not to be jealous, not to harbor envy. 66. Not to love contention. 67. To beware of haughtiness. 68. And to respect the seniors. 69. To love the juniors. 70. To pray for one's enemies in the love of... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
To us, therefore, it seems expedient
To us, therefore, it seems expedient for the preservation of peace and charity that the Abbot have in his hands the full administration of his monastery. And if possible let all the affairs of the monastery, as we have already arranged, be administered by deans according to the Abbot's directions. T... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
Vespers are to be sung with four Psalms every day
Vespers are to be sung with four Psalms every day. These shall begin with Psalm 109 and go on to Psalm 147, omitting those which are set apart for other Hours; that is to say that with the exception of Psalms 117 to 127 and Psalms 133 and 142, all the rest of these are to be said at Vespers. And sin... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
We believe that the divine presence is everywhere
We believe that the divine presence is everywhere and that "the eyes of the Lord are looking on the good and the evil in every place" (Prov. 15:3). But we should believe this especially without any doubt when we are assisting at the Work of God. To that end let us be mindful always of the Prophet's ... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
We have already arranged the order of the psalmody
We have already arranged the order of the psalmody for the Night and Morning Offices; let us now provide for the remaining Hours. At Prime let three Psalms be said, separately and not under one "Glory be to the Father." The hymn of that Hour is to follow the verse "Incline unto my aid, O God," befor... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
We must be on our guard, therefore, against evil desires
We must be on our guard, therefore, against evil desires, for death lies close by the gate of pleasure. Hence the Scripture gives this command: "Go not after your concupiscences" (Eccles. 18:30). So therefore, since the eyes of the Lord observe the good and the evil (Prov. 15:3) and the Lord is alwa... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
We think it sufficient for the daily dinner
We think it sufficient for the daily dinner, whether at the sixth or the ninth hour, that every table have two cooked dishes on account of individual infirmities, so that he who for some reason cannot eat of the one may make his meal of the other Therefore let two cooked dishes suffice for all the b... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
When anyone has made a mistake
When anyone has made a mistake while reciting a Psalm, a responsory, an antiphon or a lesson, if he does not humble himself there before all by making a satisfaction, let him undergo a greater punishment because he would not correct by humility what he did wrong through carelessness. But boys for su... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
When anyone is engaged in any sort of work
When anyone is engaged in any sort of work, whether in the kitchen, in the cellar, in a shop, in the bakery, in the garden, while working at some craft, or in any other place, and she commits some fault, or breaks something, or loses something, or transgresses in any other way whatsoever, if she doe... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
When anyone is newly come for the reformation of her life
When anyone is newly come for the reformation of her life, let her not be granted an easy entrance; but, as the Apostle says, "Test the spirits to see whether they are from God." If the newcomer, therefore, perseveres in her knocking, and if it is seen after four or five days that she bears patientl... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
When she is to be received
When she is to be received she promises before all in the oratory stability, fidelity to monastic life and obedience. This promise she shall make before God and His Saints, so that if she should ever act otherwise, she may know that she will be condemned by Him whom she mocks. Of this promise of her... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
When we wish to suggest our wants to persons of high station
When we wish to suggest our wants to persons of high station, we do not presume to do so except with humility and reverence. How much the more, then, are complete humility and pure devotion necessary in supplication of the Lord who is God of the universe! And let us be assured that it is not in sayi... Read More
St. Benedict of Nursia
Whenever any important business has to be done
Whenever any important business has to be done in the monastery, let the Abbot call together the whole community and state the matter to be acted upon. Then, having heard the brethren's advice, let him turn the matter over in his own mind and do what he shall judge to be most expedient. The reason w... Read More
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St. Benedict of Nursia (480 - 547)
Benedict founded twelve communities for monks at Subiaco, Italy (about 40 miles (64 km) to the east of Rome), before moving to Monte Cassino in the mountains of southern Italy. The Catholic Order of St Benedict and the Anglican Order of St Benedict are of later origin and, moreover, not an "order" as commonly understood but merely a confederation of autonomous congregations.Benedict's main achievement is his "Rule of Saint Benedict", containing precepts for his monks. It is heavily influenced by the writings of John Cassian, and shows strong affinity with the Rule of the Master. But it also has a unique spirit of balance, moderation and reasonableness (ἐπιείκεια, epieikeia), and this persuaded most religious communities founded throughout the Middle Ages to adopt it. As a result, his Rule became one of the most influential religious rules in Western Christendom. For this reason, Benedict is often called the founder of western monasticism.