Description: St. Benedict (480-547) was the father of Western monasticism whose Rule inspired monastic life in the Western Church for centuries to come. He was the first person to try to understand how human beings can live together in a community with any degree of authenticity. He pointed out the importance of leadership and laid out systems for the ownership of property, the division of labor and the value of shared living where one feels appreciated and at home. Work and prayer combined with a genuine spirit of hospitality came to characterize the Benedictine way. His ideas are as relevant today as they were when they were first penned, not just for the Church, but for the world of politics and international unity as well. Part One tells the story of his early years; Part Two presents the wisdom of St. Benedict; and Part Three provides excerpts from the Rule.

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