Section 05: The Shape of the Life

How the Rule, in practice, orders a monk’s day and governs a community. The two files cover, first, the Opus Dei — the Divine Office as the “work of God,” to which “nothing is to be preferred” (RB 43) — and the horarium, the balanced daily round of prayer, sacred reading (lectio divina), and manual labor that the Rule lays out hour by hour (RB 8–20, 48); and, second, the abbot and the community: the abbot as father and “physician of souls,” the twelve steps of humility that are the spiritual ladder of the Rule (RB 7), and the hospitality that receives “all guests as Christ” (RB 53).

Tradition: Pre-Schism Western (Latin) / Orthodox reception

Contents

File Topic
The Opus Dei and the Horarium The Divine Office as the Opus Dei, the “work of God,” to which nothing is preferred (RB 43); the eight hours of the daily and night Office and the weekly psalter (RB 8–19); the balanced day of Office, lectio divina, and manual labor (RB 48); the horarium through the seasons; food, sleep, and the measure of the day
The Abbot and the Community The abbot as father (abba) and “physician of souls,” elected and accountable (RB 2, 64); the twelve steps of humility, the spiritual ladder of the Rule (RB 7); the calling of all the brethren to counsel (RB 3); the deans and the cellarer; hospitality — “all guests are to be received as Christ” (RB 53)

How to Use

  • Read The Opus Dei and the Horarium for the daily and liturgical shape of Benedictine life — the rhythm of prayer, reading, and work that the abstract ora et labora names.
  • Read The Abbot and the Community for the human and spiritual government of the monastery — the office of abbot, the ladder of humility that is the Rule’s spiritual core, and the law of hospitality.
  • The principles behind this daily shape are set out in Stability, Obedience, Conversion.

Cross-References