Benedictine spirituality and its perspective on mainstream Christian scripture is neither a wholly revolutionary approach to biblical interpretation nor a mere retelling of a traditional reading. St Benedict would have wanted neither the notoriety nor the acclaim of either, as explained in The Rule of St. Benedict: A Commentary by the Right Rev. Dom Paul Delatte.

Acclaim sometimes finds even the most modest of men and this has certainly been the case for Reverend Paul Delatte and this book. As one of the crown jewels of Benedictine scholarship and biography, this has found its way into the reading list of a whole range of Catholic novitiates, not only would-be Benedictine monks, despite copies of the manuscript having been often scarce or incomplete.

The Right Reverend Dom. Paul Delatte was, despite his humble disposition, tremendously influential before and during his time as the Abbot of Solesmes. The work encompasses his advice on all aspects of monastic life as well as a wide range of more general spiritual advice, from the most appropriate number of prayers for a monastic community to include in a day to the correct practice of contemplative silence, down to practical matters such as the need to care for very young and very old members of the monastery. Each piece of guidance resonates with the clear philosophical fervour of both St Benedict and the author. He condemns religious cowardice and worldliness whilst taking a realistic and pragmatic approach to the induction of new or struggling members onto a fearless path to God.

Philosophers, Christians and those with any passing interest in the monastic life will be seduced by the clarity and sincerity of this work as well as benefiting from its fascinating theological standpoint.

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