Live the Rule: 6 Tips From St. Benedict

Benedictine Father Meinrad Miller, who teaches theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, has shared some great advice for holiness over at St. Benedict’s Abbey website. First, though, he celebrates the wisdom of two late priests: Father Lorenzo Albacete and Father Benedict Groeschel. Read the whole article here. Below, find his tips.

6 Tips For Growing in Holiness

By Father Meinrad Miller

As monks, we take a vow of Conversatio Morum; principally, St. Benedict is telling us to grow in holiness each day. As you strive after holiness, here are a few tips to help you along the way:

1: Be mindful every day of God’s work in your life.
Take time to examine your conscience to see both the blessings in your life, and areas where you can request God’s light and grace.

2: Participate in the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.
It is not what we do, but what God does in us in the liturgy. The monks take time in our Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours to pray slowly and allow the Word of God to reach deep into our hearts.

3: Read.
The final chapter of St. Benedict’s Rule is all about reading the Scriptures, the Church Fathers, the early Monks. People often tell me that reading good material helps their spiritual life. I highly recommend the works of Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete and Fr. Benedict Groeschel.

4: Work on doing good deeds (RB 4) in humility (RB 7) and with Good Zeal (RB 73).
These chapters really define “fidelity to the monastic life,” one of the vows of Benedictine monks. When we do good deeds in humility and with good zeal, then we are no longer lukewarm.

5: Take time for silence.
Our noisy world would have us plugged in for hours with the outside world. Take time to be silent, and to just be.

6: Always see Christ in those around you.
Saint Mother Teresa spoke of the five-finger Gospel: You did it to me. Do not be afraid to allow God to work through you to bring His divine mercy to the world.

Find Father Meinrad’s article, and downloadable 6 Tips image, here.