Praying With Benedict

Praying with Benedict is an excellent introduction to Benedictine spirituality. It has been a successful book for group sharing as well as for individual prayer.

I just finished praying through Katherine Howard's excellent spiritual guidebook,"Praying with Benedict". Howard's book offers readers more than just information on the prayer life of Benedict. She invites you into a deeper, richer experience of intimacy with God in prayer, simply by reading through this book, section by section. Each chapter includes a brief statement of the theme, an opening prayer, biographical stories about Benedict, selections from the Rule of Benedict, and practical reflections, or spiritual exercises for participation in prayer with Benedict's approach to the spiritual life. Howard closes each chapter with a selection from Scripture and a closing prayer. I found my experience of prayer deepening as I journeyed with Benedict through these chapters, exploring such themes as "thirsting for the living God", "the love of Christ", "work for the good of all" and "hospitality". For another book which explores the Rule of St. Benedict, offering insights for parents on the holy calling of raising children, look for "The Family Cloister: Benedictine Wisdom for the Home", by David Robinson, (New York: Crossroad, 2000).