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St. Benedict of Nursia – July 11
St. Benedict of Nursia is the patron saint of Serendipity Farmhouse and this blog. Today is his feast. We are Oblates of St. Benedict and we strive to live by his Holy Rule. Prayer and Work, practicing hospitality and leading a spiritual life have become primary considerations for daily life at SFH.

Because we are in the midst of our growing season, and the heat and humidity are oppressive, we take heart from the Rule of St. Benedict. This extract from Chapter 48 provides an insight on how we try learn from the Rule and apply it to our daily lives.

 

CHAPTER 48: THE DAILY MANUAL LABOR

364px-Heiligenkreuz.St._Benedict-AIdleness is the enemy of the soul. Therefore, the brothers should have specified periods for manual labor as well as for prayerful reading.

We believe that the times for both may be arranged as follows: From Easter to the first of October, they will spend their mornings after Prime till about the fourth hour at whatever work needs to be done. From the fourth hour until the time of Sext, they will devote themselves to reading. But after Sext and their meal, they may rest on their beds in complete silence; should a brother wish to read privately, let him do so, but without disturbing the others. They should say None a little early, about midway through the eighth hour, and then until Vespers they are to return to whatever work is necessary. They must not become distressed if local conditions or their poverty should force them to do the harvesting themselves. When they live by the labor of their hands, as our fathers and the apostles did, then they are really monks. Yet, all things are to be done with moderation on account of the fainthearted.

(As taken from The Rule of St. Benedict – In Latin and English with Notes – 1980)

Picture Credit: St Benedict of Nursia writing the Benedictine rule, portrait in the church of Heiligenkreuz Abbey near Baden bei Wien, Lower Austria. Portrait (1926) by Herman Nieg (1849-1928) |Source= own photo |Date= 21 June 2006

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3 thoughts on “St. Benedict of Nursia – July 11”

  1. Didn’t look at email yesterday, due to being involved with things at the parish, but you all were on my mind. A belated Happy Feast of St. Benedict, my friends! Remind me, what are the times of the day to which those hours correspond. I haven’t heard the terms Prime, None and Sext in awhile.

    Reply

    1. The answer to your question is most simply stated by Liturgy of the Hours – Wikipedia
      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgy_of_the_Hours

      Prime or Early Morning Prayer (First Hour = approximately 6 a.m.) Terce or Mid-Morning Prayer (Third Hour = approximately 9 a.m.) Sext or Midday Prayer (Sixth Hour = approximately 12 noon) None or Mid-Afternoon Prayer (Ninth Hour = approximately 3 p.m.)

      The Liturgy of the Hours and the times for prayer have changed over time, especially after Vatican II. You can find abbreviated descriptions of the current norms at: How to Pray the Liturgy of the Hours
      https://divineoffice.org/liturgy-of-the-hours/how-to-pray-the-liturgy-of-the-hours/

      For a thorough discussion, refer to GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS Congregation for Divine Worship at: https://www.ewtn.com/library/curia/cdwgilh.htm#Ch%20I-III

      There should be an abbreviated version of the General Instruction at the very of your CHRISTIAN PRAYER: The Liturgy of the Hours

      Reply

      1. I did look at the Instruction, but did not find the times, only the form the prayers should take. Perhaps a more careful reading…
        And so, I pray Morning prayer between 8 and 9am and Evening Prayer whenever I get upstairs after work – anywhere from 6pm to midnight! Very unorthodox, I’d say. Gosh – it’s 9:30 and I’d better get myself upstairs!!

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