The Benedictine Way for Spirituality

Few guides to Christian spirituality have proven themselves more useful, adaptable and enduring than The Rule of St. Benedict (d. 547). Originally conceived for monks, Benedictine spirituality underwrites the Book of Common Prayer and permeates the Anglican way of spiritual growth. A biblical spirituality, it is fixed in the scriptures and features plenteous use of psalmody. A monastic spirituality, it is concerned for community and the cultivation of charity. An embodied spirituality, the Benedictine way fastens our spiritual life to the outward disciplines proven to foster inward growth.

“We propose, therefore,” Benedict writes in his prologue, “to establish a school of the Lord’s service and in setting it up we hope we shall lay down nothing that is harsh or hard to bear… [that] through the continual practice of…the life of faith, our hearts may be opened wide, and the way of God’s commandments will be run in a sweetness of love that is beyond words.”

A school of the Lord’s service: that’s Nashotah House. Practicing the Benedictine disciplines of work, study and prayer together, the members of our community grow in faith, hope and a love beyond words.