Rule of St. Benedict: A Commentary (Classic Reprint)

A mpleforth in 1917, and was not at first intended for publication. It has been published through the urgency of several friends, who persuaded the trans-- lator that some such commentary on the Rule, in English, was needed and would be welcomed. The translation endeavours to be a faithful and accurate rendering of the original. In this endeavour the translator has received constant help from the Benedictines of Quarr, for which he is deeply grateful. He is aware that he has not entirely avoided the defects which are usual in translations, and for this he asks the indulgence of his readers. The differences between the translation and the original are in considerable. A few modifications of the text have been rendered necessary by the publication of the Codex Juris Canonici. An index has been supplied, and an English version of the Rule set parallel with the Latin text. In constructing this version free use has been made of current versions, especially of the excellent Rule of St. Benedict of Abbot Hunter-B lair. Latin quotations in the text have generally been translated. On one further point the translator feels that he owes a word of explanation, both to the general reader and to his own brethren. The Benedictine monasteries of the world are grouped in Congregations, generally on a national basis. A mong these Congregations there is considerable diversity of discipline and custom; and this though all follow the same Rule. Such diversity has been characteristic of Benedictinism from the beginning. Now the translator is a member of the English Benedictine Congregation, a very ancient body with a unique tradition. It is natural therefore that there should be points of interpretation on which he would differ from the author of the Commentary. But he has not allowed his own opinions to affect the translation; he does not even think it necessary to mention them;
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)