When I first read the Oblate statutes of the Benedictine monastery of Pluscarden (which later became the basis for the Oblate statutes of the monastery of Norcia), I was struck by the advice that we could profitably take Chapter 4 of the Holy Rule and examine our lives based on it. My pondering of this chapter led me to the (hopefully not too audacious) step of organizing its material into a little pamphlet, as an examination of conscience that might be useful in preparing for Confession. I've attached this below.
Why would the Holy Rule of St. Benedict work well for all of us? St. Benedict himself says that he is preparing "a little rule for beginners," and the ages have proved that this rule of life is a school of holiness for all who incline the ear of the heart to its wisdom. Although some of its chapters don't immediately apply to everyday life as a layman, the Holy Rule is abundantly filled with mature spiritual counsel that readily lends itself to the Christian's battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil -- a duty we must always keep in mind, especially in the holy season of Lent when the Church puts it before us quite starkly.
As Bossuet said (and as Pope Benedict XVI would surely agree): "Cette règle, c’est un précis du christianisme, un docte et mystérieux abrégé de toute la doctrine de l’Évangile, de toutes les institutions des saints Pères, de tous les conseils de perfection": This rule is a synopsis of Christianity, a learned and mysterious abridgment of the whole doctrine of the Gospel, all the institutions of the holy fathers, and all the counsels of perfection.
(If anyone would like to have this as a Word document, so that you can be free to format in a different way, please email me.)
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