Benedictine Work and Life

Before Bendedict, people worked to survive, which meant usually from sun-up to sun-down. The idea of scheduled work time did not exist. For this reason Benedict is sometimes considered the father of the modern concept of work itself. Additionally, he insisted that the end of work was that "in all things God may be glorified". Manual work was an opportunity to work "as unto the Lord" (Col.3:23), and to pray contemplatively while working. This combined with the sense that "God's gaze is upon you , wherever you may be" produced a sacramental approach to work.

All the tools of the monastery were to be treated "as if they were consecrated chalices."(RB 31) As such, all work became an opportunity to encounter God, all nature became an outward and visible sign of the eternal Creator behind it, and repetitive tasks such as gardening became as sacred as formal worship. Very importantly however, we find in the same chapter: "Everything should be done in moderation, though, for the sake of the timorous".


"Since his primary goal was union with God, the material results of his work were less important to the monk than the growth in virtue that accompanied them....Refusing to be the slave of the material universe, he became its master. As a result, he moved in serenity. A leisure of spirit marked all he did with the sign of freedom and peace." (Introduction to The Rule of St. Benedict, translated by Anthony C. Meisel and ML. del Mastro). Freedom, moderation, and peace - these are hallmarks of the Benedictine approach to work and life.