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The Life and Prayers of Saint Benedict
St. Benedict was not interested in fame, power, or legacy. He was only interested in living the Christian life to the fullest and helping those around him to do the same. The rest is history—and the work of Providence. St. Benedict is regarded as the Father of the Benedictine Order of both religious men and women that follow his Rule, a key principle of which is ora et labora—pray and work. Today, many people wear holy medals of St. Benedict, invoking his intercession for protection against the powers of evil. Not only consecrated religious but also many lay people find inspiration in his call to balance, discipline, and prayer. Historically, St. Benedict helped bridge the early Church with the medieval period by standing on the shoulders of the fathers of the monastic tradition and bringing that tradition solidly into a new era.
69 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 25, 2025
hagiographic vs things he actually wrote
I enjoyed reading about the famous Rule which has guided many monasteries for over a thousand years. I enjoyed reading the actual prayers St. Benedict had written.
🧚 However the recounting of miracles and visions was too fanciful for me. As were the stories of demons taking on various shapes, one appearing as a malevolent child tugging on a monk’s robe and pulling him away from his prayers. This is what is placed before you when hagiography is written. It paints the subject in colors of silver and gold and perfection, his struggles as struggles with comic book demons.
I will look for a biography, if any exist (since we are talking about 300 and 400 AD), that focuses on a real man of flesh and blood and spirit. I probably won’t be successful as he has passed into legend and mythology. I’ll get a sense of him only from his prayers and his Rule, not his hagiographers. That will have to suffice.
I enjoyed reading about the famous Rule which has guided many monasteries for over a thousand years. I enjoyed reading the actual prayers St. Benedict had written.
🧚 However the recounting of miracles and visions was too fanciful for me. As were the stories of demons taking on various shapes, one appearing as a malevolent child tugging on a monk’s robe and pulling him away from his prayers. This is what is placed before you when hagiography is written. It paints the subject in colors of silver and gold and perfection, his struggles as struggles with comic book demons.
I will look for a biography, if any exist (since we are talking about 300 and 400 AD), that focuses on a real man of flesh and blood and spirit. I probably won’t be successful as he has passed into legend and mythology. I’ll get a sense of him only from his prayers and his Rule, not his hagiographers. That will have to suffice.
February 1, 2020
A great deal of repetition/overlap w St. Gregory the Great.
April 28, 2019
Even as an orthodox Catholic, coming from a contemporary perspective I have to wonder to what degree the many anecdotes of miracles conveyed are shrouded in accrued myth and stories; at the same time what is conveyed -- and there is little denying -- how impressive and holy Benedict himself was as a saint and the extent of his influence. His recognition by Pope Paul IV as "Patron of Europe" in full recognition of his contributions are well merited.
http://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/...
"With the cross, thatis, with the law of Christ, he lent consistency and growth to the ordering of public and private life ... with the book, then, i.e, with culture, [he] saved the classical tradition of the ancients at a time when the humanistic patrimony was being lost, by transmitting it intact to its descendants, and by restoring the cult of knowledge. Lastly, it was with the plow, i.e., with the cultivation of the fields and with other similar initiatives, that he succeeded in transforming wastelands gone wild into fertil fields and gracious gardens; and by uniting prayer with manual labor ... he enobled and elevated human work."
The collection of prayers that follow are particularly beautiful (as well as practical).
http://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/...
"With the cross, thatis, with the law of Christ, he lent consistency and growth to the ordering of public and private life ... with the book, then, i.e, with culture, [he] saved the classical tradition of the ancients at a time when the humanistic patrimony was being lost, by transmitting it intact to its descendants, and by restoring the cult of knowledge. Lastly, it was with the plow, i.e., with the cultivation of the fields and with other similar initiatives, that he succeeded in transforming wastelands gone wild into fertil fields and gracious gardens; and by uniting prayer with manual labor ... he enobled and elevated human work."
The collection of prayers that follow are particularly beautiful (as well as practical).
February 22, 2018
I enjoy brief biographies because I can learn the most important things about someone without spending a lot of time. Consequently, I can become familiar with a lot more people than I would reading fewer longer books. This revealed Saint Benedict's faith and motivation as well as events in his life. Several of his prayers are included at the end.
August 30, 2017
Informative and inspiring
A great story documenting the life and believes of Saint Benedict, a man of great faith and devotion to God. The author has written about a man who wanted to please God and held all others to do the same.
A great story documenting the life and believes of Saint Benedict, a man of great faith and devotion to God. The author has written about a man who wanted to please God and held all others to do the same.
March 30, 2018
This is a nice brief biography of St. Benedict, known as the father of Western monasticism. It is a well written, easy read. Some books in this series read like high school reports. This one does not. It is very good.
November 27, 2021
great read yay
So i found some other books to buy through this book and feel eternally grateful… the book was easy to digest with no spelling errors and plenty of history but not any expert details that would make the book long and tedious— perfect for beginners
So i found some other books to buy through this book and feel eternally grateful… the book was easy to digest with no spelling errors and plenty of history but not any expert details that would make the book long and tedious— perfect for beginners
January 1, 2019
Spiritual reading
Reading this book will help being one closer to God simply by dwelling on the actions of this holy nan of God.
Reading this book will help being one closer to God simply by dwelling on the actions of this holy nan of God.
July 19, 2020
A good summary of saint Benedict´s life. The prayers at the end of the book are most valuable resource. My recommendation is to follow with a read of the Dialogues II of saint Gregory.
January 22, 2022
Words of a Saint
The book is well written and entertaining.
My eyes were opened to the Saint's life and my prayer life is better.
The book is well written and entertaining.
My eyes were opened to the Saint's life and my prayer life is better.
November 26, 2013
This is a review by Anthony T. Riggio of The Life and Prayers of Saint Benedict by Noah Wyatt(Kindle Edition)
This is a short biography of St. Benedict the founder of the Benedictine order and the progenitor of the Rules of Saint Benedict. These rules have become a cornerstone of not only the Benedictine Order but of many other monastic orders. It is a fast read and one which any admirer of the lives of the Saints would enjoy. This book is a Noah Wyatt edition/collection.
This is a short biography of St. Benedict the founder of the Benedictine order and the progenitor of the Rules of Saint Benedict. These rules have become a cornerstone of not only the Benedictine Order but of many other monastic orders. It is a fast read and one which any admirer of the lives of the Saints would enjoy. This book is a Noah Wyatt edition/collection.
January 26, 2015
Saint of great spiritual strength
This book helps readers understand how God can work in your life if you invite Him in. Saint Benedict was such cam man to listen to God's desires and implement the on Earth to help others see this truth too. Read this book and you too can see that miracles can and will happen if you pray and have faith.
This book helps readers understand how God can work in your life if you invite Him in. Saint Benedict was such cam man to listen to God's desires and implement the on Earth to help others see this truth too. Read this book and you too can see that miracles can and will happen if you pray and have faith.
October 18, 2015
Enjoyable
The fact that he is one of the main father's of modern monasticism. I found fascinating as well as the many miracles he had performed.
The fact that he is one of the main father's of modern monasticism. I found fascinating as well as the many miracles he had performed.
March 17, 2016
Interesting and inspirational
I never knew much about St. Benedict until reading this book. It was short and to the point. It makes a great addition to any library.
I never knew much about St. Benedict until reading this book. It was short and to the point. It makes a great addition to any library.
February 2, 2016
Informative. A short portrayal of St. Benedict's life.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews