The Way of Benedict: Eight Blessings for Lent

by Laurentia Johns

Overview

'For any who long for more order, peace and joy.' Stephen Cherry, Dean, King's College Cambridge

Our world badly needs Christ's light and peace. One way to bring these blessings to one another is to attend to our own hearts and to learn to live well.

Living Lent well involves turning back to God to receive his blessing. In this deep and practical book, a guide for Lent and the rest of the year, Sr Laurentia distils the sixth-century Rule of St Benedict as a series of blessings. Closely based on Scripture, the Rule highlights that the whole of life has a Lenten character and points to a joyful eternity.

This accessible guide also includes ideas for reflection and action at the end of each chapter.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780281075812
Publisher:	SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Publication date:	12/19/2019
Series:	The Way of , #1
Pages:	108
Product dimensions:	5.43(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Laurentia Johns has been a Benedictine nun at Stanbrook Abbey since 1990. A poet and regular speaker/writer on Benedictine spirituality, she has worked in formation and guest ministries and currently has care of the community’s oblates.

Table of Contents

Introduction xi
1 The blessing of beginning 1
2 The blessing of gospel living 15
3 The blessing of attentiveness 30
4 The blessing of the Word 47
5 The blessing of worship 64
6 The blessing of reverence 78
7 The blessing of welcoming 94
8 Epilogue: The blessing of 'beyond' 108
Notes 117
Copyright acknowledgements 122

Editorial Reviews

'This beautiful book introduces us to the Benedictine Rule as a wise way to live. Sr Laurentia outlines the teaching of St Benedict with great clarity and then suggests practical steps to live it out in daily life. In fractious times, this is a timely reminder that wisdom is universal.'

Abbot Christopher Jamison

'The ancient wisdom of St Benedict has so much to offer today to anyone seeking to live more authentically in a world of constant change and turmoil. This book is born of deep engagement and attention to the profound desires of the heart and is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the Benedictine way more deeply. Sr Laurentia writes beautifully, drawing the reader into a greater contemplation of the generous grace of God, whether starting out to understand, or an old hand at prayer. This is a Lent book that will be read for its joyfulness the whole year round.'

The Very Revd Dr Frances Ward

'Like the Rule of St Benedict on which it is based, this little book carries far more wisdom than one might at first imagine. The Way of Benedict offers the reader an honest appraisal of how the author, who has been an enclosed Benedictine nun for more than a quarter of a century, has come to understand the monastic principles by which she lives. Even more usefully, she shares countless insights that can help those of us whose lives are un-cloistered to open ourselves to the many blessings that we so regularly miss. This is a book to read slowly, to read repeatedly, to share with friends and to give to any who long for more order, peace and joy in their daily lives.'

Stephen Cherry

A deep, practical and joyful guide to the Rule of St Benedict as a series of blessings.

From the Publisher