Rule of Saint Benedict
The Rule of St. Benedict, St. Benedict and Benedictine Rule or (Latin: Rule of St. Benedict ( RB) ), is a by St. Benedict of Nursia penned in the year 529 Klosterregularium, which he set up for the community he founded the monastery of Monte Cassino in central Italy. Since the Middle Ages, it is the foundation of the Order of the Benedictines ( Ordo Sancti St. Benedict (OSB) ).
History and content
Model was the so-called master rule ( Regula magistri ), in addition to the influence of Augustine also usually are recognizable. The Rule of St. Benedict intended as a guideline for beginners in monastic life and is recommended as a supplement for advanced the rule of St. Basil of Caesarea. The RB consists of a prologue and 73 chapters.
The Prologue and Chapter 1 to 3 include Understanding the monastic life. Chapters 4-7 deal with the monastic virtues, especially obedience, silence and humility. Chapters 8 to 20 make arrangements for the opus Dei, the church, which occupies an important place in the Benedictine life. Chapters 21 to 30 clarify penalties for violations of the rule. Chapters 31-57 give instructions concerning the administration of the monastery, the services of the monks, the supply of the monks, the reception of guests and dealing with crafts and craftsmen from outside. Chapters 58 to 66 regulate the reception of novices, the rank order in the community, the establishment of Prior and Abbot and the duties of the porter. Under Chapter 58, the vows include the promise of resistance ( stabilitas loci, ie binding to a particular monastery), the monastic way of life and obedience. Chapters 67 to 72 are considered supplements. You determine the way the brothers under closer together. Chapter 73 is an epilogue.
The RB was probably originally intended only as a handout for the residents of Benedict's own monastery at Monte Cassino, is after the destruction of the monastery 577 for several decades no longer detectable, but was found in Gaul, where in the Council of Autun (c. 670 ) was demanded that in future should apply the RB in the Order. They should, in particular the rule of the iro -Scottish monk Columban ( the younger) replace, which was in Luxeuil and became widespread by the intense iro - Scottish mission. Thus, the RB widespread in Europe, but its has initially. In mixed form with other rules, especially the St. Columban used.
It was not until the reforms of Benedict of Aniane was the RB with the support of Louis the Pious, first in the Frankish Empire, and then in the entire Western world for own governing monastic rule. Kaiser Ludwig, son and successor of Charlemagne, reached the liability of the relevant resolutions of the Synod of Aachen ( 816-819 ), by having them made binding as capitularies. Thus, the unification of the monastic system could be effectively organized.
To complement the rule so-called Consuetudines emerged over time (Latin for " habits " ), texts that were considered for individual monasteries or entire monastery associations. Despite the uniform order of local features were thus additionally possible.
In addition to the Benedictines and Cistercians and Benedictines live Cistercian, Trappist and Trappist - both religious communities have emerged through reform of the Benedictines - and the Camaldolese and the community of Jerusalem to the Rule of St. Benedict.