Benedictine Monasticism

Touched by God
Edited by Laurentia Johns OSB and with a foreword by Henry Wansbrough OSB.

At a time when there seems to be an unusually keen interest in the monastic life and the Rule of St Benedict, but there are few authentic accounts of how the Benedictine life is actually experienced.

In this book ten monks and nuns give personal and honest accounts of what their monastic experience is like and how it brings them closer to God. It makes compelling, reassuring and uplifting reading. (Pb, 237pp)
Price: £12.99 / €16.54

Our Father St Benedict
by Regina Oberna OSB and Lourdes Vinas OSB.

It is tempting to imagine this little book was intended for children, mostly because of the naïve and charming illustrations throughout. But although the text deliberately aims at a simple 'voice', the thoughts themselves deserve not just an adult reader, but a reflective one.

This easy style, however, makes it particularly suitable for use with groups and for retreats, since it encourages the reader to engage with it in a personal way. (Pb, 126)
Price: £7.50 / €9.55

Praying with the Benedictines
"A window on the Cloister" edited by Gerric DeBona, OSB.

This is a collection of excerpts, most of them only half a page long, from Benedictine writers of the last 1,500 years. Each is an insight, a glimpse, into what a life of monastic prayer and living is intended to lead us to - the Vision of God. Contributions come from St Benedict, Gertrude the Great, St Anselm, Hildegard of Bingen, Abbot Chapman, Augustine Baker, Basil Hume, and dozens of others. It is the sort of little book that ends up covered in margin notes and turned down corners! (Pb, 64pp)
Price: £5.99 / €7.63

The Way of Simplicity
The Cistercian Tradition, by Esther de Waal.

De Waal reveals the riches of the Cistercian tradition and its relevance for today's world. The book draws not only on such twelfth century writers as Bernard of Clairvaux and Aelred of Rievaulx, but also on Thomas Merton and many contemporary Cistercians. These wrote on matters of perennial concern: the true self, growth, integration, friendship, the love of God and above all the life of prayer. (Pb, 164pp)
Price: £8.95 / €11.39

St Benedict and St Therese
The Little Rule and the Little Way by Dwight Longenecker

The writings of these two saints complement each other beautifully. The old monk's teaching is made explicit in the young girl's teaching. Therese went to a Benedictine school and always wore a Benedictine medal round her neck. For those who love both of these saints for the wisdom they offer us, here is a moving explanation of how each of them illuminates the other. (Pb, 215pp)
Price: £9.99 / €12.72

Benedictine Yearbook 2008
The official guide to the abbeys, priories, parishes and schools of the monks and nuns following the Rule of St Benedict in Great Britain, Ireland and their Overseas Foundations.
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Price: £3.50 / €4.46

Radical Hospitality
…Benedict's way of love, by Daniel Homan OSB and Lonni Collins Pratt. In this book the authors present a radical vision for a kinder world. For them, Benedictine hospitality is not cosy and comforting, but risky and world-rattling. It is not about 'sipping tea and making bland talk with people who live next door or work with you', it is rather about mutual reverence - 'a call to revere what is sacred in every person ever born'.
Price: £9.99 / €12.72

Benedict of Nursia
…his message for today, by Anselm Gruen. This is an easy, short but punchy introduction to Benedict's Spirituality. Chapter headings include: Living in the Presence of God; Prayer and Work; The Gift of Discernment; Benedictine Peace; Stabilitas and Order; Community. Reduced from £5.99 in July. Paperback, 63pp.
Price: £4.99 / €6.35

Desiring Life
Benedict on Wisdom and the Good Life, by Norvene Vest

This book addresses the issues of relationship, particularly our relationship to the world (wisdom); to ourselves (virtue); and to each other (ethics). Vest asks questions of pressing concern today, such as: What is the 'good life' we seek? How can we live fully and well? What sort of people should we as Christians try to be?
Price: £9.50 / €12.09

Friend of the Soul…
…a Benedictine Spirituality of Work, by Norvene Vest.

The author brings the insights of Benedict's Rule to the world of work. A gifted interpreter of Benedict's wisdom, Vest examines with empathy and clarity the plight of those who yearn for their work to be life-giving and meaningful, a service to others, and the place where they can experience the presence of God.

She brings a Benedictine perspective to the three areas of discontent in today's workplace: the stress of performance; overproduction; and acquisitiveness. To these she opposes the Benedictine principles of vocation (being called to what we do), stewardship (taking care of what we are given), and obedience (serving one another in love).
Price: £7.99 / €10.17

Finding Sanctuary
Monastic Steps for Everyday Life - by Abbot Christopher Jamison.

Following the success of the TV series, 'The Monastery', Abbot Christopher here offers ways in which the lessons of monastic living, and the teachings of St Benedict can be put into practice in our hectic, modern lives.

He speaks especially to those who are not sure what they believe but are looking for ways to find spiritual space and peace in the busy, and often confusing, modern world.
Price: £6.99 / €8.90

Strangers to the City
by Michael Casey, a monk of Tarrawarra.

One of the world's experts on monastic spirituality here offers his wise teachings on what it means to live today in the distinctive path of St Benedict. Eloquent and incisive, Casey invites us to embrace the challenge of gospel living, which is opposed to the dominant, secular culture around us. He presents thoughtful reflections on the values of asceticism, silence, leisure, reading, chastity and poverty, placing each of these ancient beiefs in a vibrant, contemporary context.

Strangers in the City is a for all who are interested in deepening their faith through the dynamics of the monastic experience.
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Price: £11.50 / €14.64

A life-giving way
A commentary on the Rule of St Benedict by Esther de Waal

Is it suprising that a sixth-century monastic text, the Rule of St Benedict, should be a guide for lay Christians living in today's world?

In fact, the questions which St benedict hd to face are still questions which face us today. How do I live with others? With the world? With myself? With God? How do I bring galance into my life?

St Benedict speaks to the heart, and this commentary approaches the Rule in a prayerful and reflective way. It will help many people who today are seeking a contemplative centre in a busy life.

St Benedict's writing is steeped in scripture. In the Middle Ages his rule was seen as a digest of the Bible. It therefore crosses the divides of the church and speaks to Christians of all denominations.
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Price: £12.99 / €16.54

Benedict's Way
by Lonni Collins Pratt and Fr Daniel Homan OSB.

The authors take 30 themes from the Rule of St Benedict. For each them they offer quotations from the Rule, from some 'Other voice', and some down to earth thoughts about practical application of Benedict's wisdom in daily life. Each chapter ends with suggestions of what to do next in order to make this wisdom your own. Reduced from £7.99 in July. 231pp, pb.
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Price: £6.99 / €8.90

Day by Day with St Benedict
by Terrence Kardong.

365 short meditations on verses of the Rule of St Benedict from one of the foremost scholars on the subject. Nevertheless, these well chosen words are thought provoking and sometimes display the wry humour of someone who has lived community life for over 40 years. It is a classic, newly available in paperback.
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Price: £9.99 / €12.72

St Benedict's Toolbox
The nuts and bolts of everday Benedictine living...by Jane Tomaine.

When St Benedict formed his first small communit of monks in the sixth century, Italy - and much of Europe - was in disarray. In the midst of these tumultuous times, Benedict offered his followes a "little rule", a guide about the size of a chequebook, that showed his monks the way to peace as they learned to prefer Christ above all things.

The Rule of Benedict still offers practical tools for living a Christ-centred life today. St Benedict's Toolbox is a primer on using these tools in our own tumultuous lives, showing us the power - and the timeliness - of this ancient way of life. 224 pages.
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Price: £10.99 / €13.99

Engaging Benedict
by Laura Swan

With its core values of contemplatoin, hospitality, and simplicity, the Rule remains as useful and fresh today as it was when Benedict created it in Italy those many centuries ago.

But the Rule is not without its difficulties in contemporary practice. This author, a Benedictine sister, looks at the the Rule with a critical eye, seeking to unpack those parts that are problematic and to uncover gems that support the yearnings of today's seekers.

By wrestling with the Rule, Laura Swan offers readers guidance on many difficult and painful questions.
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Price: £7.99 / €10.17

Basil Hume the Monk Cardinal
by Anthony Howard, paperback 342 pp.

This is the authorised biography of the late Cardinal, former Abbot of Ampleforth, who in his 23 years at Westminster provided spiritual leadership for so many, and not just for Roman Catholics.
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Price: £7.99 / €10.17

Benedictine Daily Prayer
This provides an everyday edition of the Divine Office for people who desire to pray with the church in a simple manner. Based on 1500 years of liturgical prayer within the Benedictine monastic tradition, it offers a rich resource for all, but is perhaps ideal for Benedictine Oblates.

The book is compact (12cm x 16cm x 4cm, or 4" x 6.5" x 1.5") but contains over 2,200 pages of the fine but very strong paper used in traditional missals. It is handsomely bound in soft burgundy leather with five coloured ribbons. (The picture is of the cardboard sleeve)
Price: £39.99 / €50.91

Saint Benedict's Rule
This hardback edition of Abbot Patrick Barry's translation of the Rule includes a wonderful 40 page introduction by him which brings alive the appeal and importance of this ancient text, which so many men and women live by still. Reduced from £12.99 in July!
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Price: £11.50 / €14.64

A Good Life
by Robert Benson

What makes a 'good life' in today's fast-paced, competitive world? In this book Robert Benson turns to the Rule of St Benedict for answers because it balances prayer, rest, community, and work in a way that has helped centuries of people to lead more fulfilling lives. With trademark humour and elegant prose, Benson shares his own sturggle to balance a spiritual life with the demanding roles of father, husband, and writer. Anyone who feels pulled in too many directions will find in this book thoughtful, ancient wisdom for creating a life of deep meaning and joy.
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Price: £9.99 / €12.72

Saint Benedict's Prayer Book
This hardbacked prayer book includes a two week cycle of morning prayer, a one week cycle of evening prayer, and a short version of Compline or night prayer. It also has chapters on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, praying the bible, the Rosary, prayers for the dying and the dead, prayers to know by heart and other prayers. Each page has a quotation from the Rule of St Benedict at the foot.
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Price: £10.00 / €12.73

The Way of Simplicity
Esther de Waal in this book reveals the riches of the Cistercian tradition and its relevance for today's world. It draws not only on such twelfth-century writers as Bernard of Clairvaux and Aelred of Rievaulx, but also on Thomas Merton and many contemporary Cistercians.
For more information, click here.
Price: £8.95 / €11.39

The Rule of Benedict for Beginners
by Wil Derkse, subtitled "Spirituality for Daily Life". This book describes how individuals - and organizations as well - who function apart from a monastery may emulate elements of Benedictine spirituality and follow the Benedictine motto of "worship and work" in their daily schedules. Sorry, this item is TEMPORARILY OUT OF SOCK.
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Price: £7.50 / €9.55

Benedict's Dharma
- Buddhists reflect on the rule of Saint Benedict. It may seem strange that Buddhists might have insights into the Rule of Saint Benedict, but after reading just a few passages you find that a fresh outlook can totally renew the way we read it and live it.

Contains Abbot Patrick's translation of the Rule in full. Edited by Patrick Henry.
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Price: £12.99 / €16.54

Living with Contradiction
by Esther de Waal, subtitled "Benedictine wisdom for Everyday Living". These simple, inviting reflections on the Rule of St Benedict take as their starting point the tensions and uncertainties that we can experience in our personal lives and in the world at large. From its ancient wisdom, we can discover how these ambiguities can become the doors that lead us to a place of healing.
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Price: £7.99 / €10.17

Saint Benedict for the Laity
by Eric Dean has for thirty years reflected on and put into practice the Rule of St Benedict. In this book he comments on how the Rule "has important things to say even to those of us who - because we are already acommitted to lives in the secular sphere - can never think of a monastic vocation. The Rule can speak to us of values which, even apart from the daily structures of monastic life, are relevant to our own lives in 'the outside world.' "
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Price: £9.50 / €12.09

The Benedictine Handbook
Written not so much for monks and nuns but rather for those who belong in the wider sense, to the benedictine family. All who look to St Benedict and his followers for support and a sense of belonging will enjoy dipping into this five part handbook of history and spirituality.
Price: £15.99 / €20.36

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