Founder of a monastery at Monte Cassino, between Rome and Naples, in the sixth century, St Benedict intended his Rule to be a practical guide to Christian monastic life. Based on the key precepts of humility, obedience and love, its aim is to create a harmonious and efficient religious community in which individuals can make progress in the Christian virtues and gain eternal life. Here, Benedict sets out ideal monastery routines and regulations, from the qualities of a good abbot, the twel...

Apply the Rule of St. Benedict to any community setting, whether in the monastery or in your family! Written in the sixth century by the father of Western monasticism himself, St. Benedict, this common-sense guide to living a truly Christian life is applicable to anyone, in or outside of the cloister. Learn from the Rule's wonderful discretion, moderation, and keen insight into the capabilities and weaknesses of human nature. Here is a practical approach to arranging life so that Christian...

“These men teach us how to grow as Christians by walking the way of the Cross. The Cross is as close to us as the limitations of our own humanity. The Cross is woven into all our relationships. Drawing closer to God is infinitely rewarding but also terribly hard, and demands everything from us. Living in community fortifies our identity and sustains our purpose, but it also confronts us with the whole range of human weakness, starting with our own. St. Ant...

Modestly described by its author as "a little rule for beginners," this masterpiece of spiritual wisdom dates from the sixth century. It was originally intended as a manual for aspiring monks, a diverse group composed of serfs, scholars, shepherds, and sons of the nobility. St. Benedict's little book eventually developed into the preeminent monastic legislative code, a distinction it maintains to this day.In addition to its importance in the organization and spread of Western monast...

Written in 516, The Rule of Saint Benedict for monastic living has been soul-inspiring for a countless number of people not only monks, nuns and priests, but also a considerable number of lay people. It covers matters of doctrine, the structure of the monastery as the House of God, and observance of the Divine Office. The Rule gives a fascinating insight into the standards and behaviour expected of monks in their everyday lives. It remains notable for embodying the concept of a written con...

A timeless source of wisdom for people looking to lead a life of simplicity, purpose, and serenityThe Rule of St. Benedict has governed monastic communities for centuries, but it is far more than a standard religious text. The Rule is, above all, a handbook for living a deliberate life—no matter your religious background or beliefs. It teaches the importance of contemplation and silence, of solitude, and the power of community and unity.Wi...

In their zeal for reform, early Protestant leaders tended to throw out Saint Benedict with the holy water. That is a mistake, writes Dennis Okholm, in Monk Habits for Everyday People. While on retreat in a Benedictine abbey, the author, a professor who was raised as a Pentecostal and a Baptist, observed how the meditative and ordered life of a monk lifted Jesus' teachings off the printed page and put them into daily practice. Vital aspects of devotion, humility, obedience, hospita...

The very title, "The ROSARY: Prayer for Thinking Christians" (Nihil Obstat: Diocese of Springfield, MA) directly challenges skeptics by contending that the Rosary with its repetitive prayer is for "thinking Christians." It begins with an eyebrow-raising report of a message spoken to a lone highway driver and then miraculously confirmed. The startling report does pass the "credibility test" of the Nihil Obstat censor and well-educated cover endorsers (Bud Macfarlane, Jr., MI, founder of the...

The classic reference work, in an edition first published before 1923. As a Word document, the file is over 14,000 pages long. We have added over 6,000 links to help you navigate to the word you want. (Searching for a word would take you to any instance of that word in definitions, not the word you want defined). With this version, you click on the first letter, then the first two letters, then on the word that's closest to to the one you want (like the guide words at the heads of pages in...

The Holy Spirit desires to be an integral and active part of our lives. He wants to be your friend.The Holy Spirit is the voice of the Trinity in our lives.He has a role that is just as important as the role that Jesus and the Father have. If we just casually acknowledge who He is we will not enter into the fullness of what God has for us. This book is to help teach us who the Holy Spirit is, how to walk with Him, discover who He is as a person, and how to make Him Lord in ...

Are You Sure You Know What Your Favorite Bible Stories Mean?A surprising number of popular Bible stories are commonly misused or misunderstood, even by well-intentioned Christians. In this concise yet thorough book, Eric J. Bargerhuff helps you fully understand the meaning of David and Goliath, Jonah and the Big Fish, the Woman Caught in Adultery, and other well-known Bible stories.Providing fascinating historical and scriptural insights, Bargerhuff helps y...

New York Times Bestseller: A "beautifully written" and "truly outstanding" novel based on the life of Paul the Apostle ( The Cincinnati Enquirer).Born a veritable great lion of God to a devout Jewish family, Saul of Tarsus is raised by his parents to embrace their love of humanity. Dogged by what he perceives as a lack of true faith, he embarks on a journey to save his people from sacrilege. But on the road to Damascus a vision of...