The Way of Peace - A Guide for Living Well: Wisdom from St. Benedict of Nursia.

On the fateful morning of October 30th, 2016, the ancient monastery of Norcia – the birthplace of St. Benedict – was brought to it's knees. For three months the region had been rocked by a series of earthquakes that progressively weakened the towns of the Italian countryside. On Sunday morning the 30th, the noble Basilica built over the birthplace of St. Benedict & St. Scholastica was reduced to rubble. The monks, who only in the year 2000 had returned to revive western monasticism at its very birthplace, have been displaced. They continue to remain in the region and minister to the people of the town and hopefully soon to begin the work of rebuilding.

The monks of Norcia and the displaced townspeople need your help and support.

Exactly ten years to the day before the earthquake, I spent a week discerning the monastic life with the monks in Norcia and was given a copy of the Rule by Fr. Benedict, the sub-prior. That gift has had a profound impact on my life, and so I've decided to collect the most significant passages from the Rule that can form a guide for everyday life of people like you and me, and share it with you. Every sale of this work contributes to the restoration of Christian life and worship in the town of Norcia (Nursia). With your purchase of this book you can be assured that 70% of the proceeds are going to support the work of the monks and the rebuilding of their venerable monastery.

It is my sincere hope that in the not too distant future we may all be able to meet together and worship in the holy place that our collective contributions have helped to rebuild.

These selected passages from St. Benedict's Rule for Monks (newly translated and topically organized) capture the core essence of the wisdom that has guided the organization and stability of the worldwide movement of Benedictine Monasticism for over 1,400 years. Benedictine Monasteries guided by these principles have been at the heart of cultural renewal and civilization throughout the western world, and these same principles have the power to guide and transform modern society.

The wisdom of St. Benedict is not only for cloistered monks, but has a spiritual power to transform your own life with the peace and stability granted by God, as well as the practical impact on sanctifying your work and everyday life. It is my hope that applying these principles as a rule and guide for your life will empower you to carry out the work of cultural renewal and Gospel evangelization in our own day, bringing much needed peace to a world longing for Christ.