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Benedict in the World

Benedict in the World presents biographical sketches of nineteen men and women who were oblates of the Order of St. Benedict, that is, members of the Benedictine family of a given monastery who lived in the world, observing the Rule of St. Benedict as they raised families and pursued professions and careers.

Dorothy Day, Rumer Godden, Jacques and Raissa Maritain, Walker Percy, H. A. Reinhold, and Elena Cornaro are among the oblate subjects of this book.

St. Benedict's 'little rule for beginners' is not just for people who live in monasteries. These nineteen men and women found in the Rule of Benedict, and in their association with monastic communities that profess to live by it, a sure path to holiness as laypeople. And what a diverse and fascinating group of people they are! German king, French novelist, American Indian psychologist, African American teacher... all walking together in their common and continuing quest for God."

Abbot John Klassen, O.S.B.
Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota

"Ours is a moment in the history of religious life when we are witnessing a burgeoning interest in associations with religious communities that are alternatives to the norm of canonically vowed membership. This book celebrates the existence of an alternative association that has existed within Benedictine monasticism for approximately ten centuries."

Prioress Ephrem Hollermann, O.S.B.
Saint Benedict's Monastery, St. Joseph,
Minnesota

What a timely idea for a book! The oblate movement is booming, but the very concept of oblate
is not so clear. This collection of short biographies goes a long way toward answering that question."

Terrence Kardong, O.S.B., Editor
The American Benedictine Review

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