Fry, Timothy, OSB, ed. Collegeville, Minn.: The Liturgical Press, 1982. (small paperback)

The classic translation of the Rule.  The language is contemporary and can be readily understood.

McQuiston, John II. Harrisburg: Morehouse Publishing, 2011.

A wonderful contemporary paraphrase of the Rule organized by topic. A good book to have for reflection and meditation.

Canham, Elizabeth J. Nashville, TN: Upper Room Publications, 1999.

An accessible interpretation of the Rule organized by topic with Prayers and reflection questions.  A leader’s guide is available for group work.  Still one of Jane’s favorite books to introduce Benedictine Spirituality.

Chittister, Joan, OSB.  The Crossroad Publishing Company, 2010.New York: Crossroad, 1997.

A reissue of Insights for the Ages.  Sr. Joan offers many insights as she unpacks the meaning of the Rule for her readers. The Rule is divided into daily readings with Sr. Joan’s reflections on each. A great book!

de Waal, Esther.  Harrisburg: Morehouse, 1997.

This excellent book focuses on the contradictions that this noted author sees in both Christianity and in the spirituality of the Rule of Benedict. She addresses the Rule in light of the relationships we have to God, self, others and the world.

She discusses the contradictions between prayer and the need for service in community, stressing how each is needed. At the end of each chapter she gives some wonderful reflection questions. This is the first book on the Rule that I read.

Homan, Fr. Daniel, OSB, and Lonni Collins Pratt.  Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2001.

Presents brief chapters explaining various key points in the Rule.  Topics include the vows, listening, prayer, humility, balance, conflict, community, joy, and leadership.  Each chapter includes suggestions for reflection and application.

Tomaine, Jane. Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse, 2005.

Jane wrote this book to share her love of The Rule of St. Benedict and its wisdom for everyday living.  Each chapter unpacks the topic, offers “tools” for daily application, and closes with a reflection of story.  For more information, click here

Sutera, Judith, OSB. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2021.

This gender-neutral translation is true to the original text as  written for St. Benedict’s monks.  Sutera’s translation offers an alternative for individuals and groups who prefer such a version over the masculine language of the original 

The book also incudes some background into the context in which the Rule was written.  Sutera also provides reflections on its meaning for contemporary life, making it a resource for those encountering the Rule for the first time or for those who have cherished it for years.

Holtz, Albert, OSB.  Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2014.

Using vignettes set in or near his monastery in downtown Newark, New Jersey, Benedictine monk Albert Holtz helps us to see that the Easter mystery, which can often seem abstract and distant, is in fact present all around us. Fr. Holtz offers a story, Scripture and a reflection for each day in the Easter season.

Earle, Mary C.  Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing, 2004.

In 1995 Mary C. Earle was hospitalized with acute pancreatitis.  Using St. Benedict’s ancient Rule – his ways of ordering the life and days of religious communities – Mary explores how the Benedictine vows of stability, obedience, and conversion of life can help anyone live with illness.

Chittister, Joan, OSB.  New York: Convergent Books, 2021.

Sister Joan’s book carries the wisdom of the monastic spiritual traditions into the twenty-first century.  She offers ways to live the ordinary life extraordinarily well, helping the reader grow in wisdom and in depth of spirituality.  Each day a chapter could be read and the contemporary application practiced.