p. 11
grammar and spirituality
he intends to define terms and recall ideas
"angusto initio"
11b Life of St Benedict, book II of Dialogues by St Gregory
Rule for Monks (by St Benedict)
p 12
He gave up liberal studies -- grammar, rhetoric, law
symbolic meaning of his act
-- escape from school milieu
12b
2 germs of monastic culture:
studies taken up,
then renounced and transcended
"Scienter nescius et sapienter indoctus"
Summary:
p 11
Two series of texts were influential in development of monastic theology: those of St Benedict and those of St Gregory
They "contain in germ the two essential components of this culture: Grammar and Spirituality."
His plan to to (1) define terms (2) recall ideas that will be essential.
"angusto initio" -- the narrow initial path leading to the flowering shown in St Bernard and the 12th century.
He is saying that we will begin from the difficult and narrow beginning to trace the development of this culture.
First, the Rule, and Benedict's Life as written in Gregory's Dialogues.
Life of ST Benedict: STudies
From Gregory's Life we have the story of young Benedict leaving Rome and school to lead a life entirely consecrated to God. The story is often invoked and has become a symbol, a paradigm for the monastic life.
Benedict's conversion is just as pivotal as St Augustine's for an understanding of his work and influence.
His studies were the liberalia studio of his time -- grammar, rhetoric, law
He was still a youth (puer) when he left, so there is question of how far he got. He probably learned grammar which had a wider meaning of letters
He left in disgust and holy fear, not because of studies per se, and certainly not implied that he was doing poorly at them, but because of the moral dangers in the student life.
page 12 "" look for underlined quotes in book
search for God, separation from world. This is the germ of monastic culture.
-- studies undertaken, but transcended.
Example of St Caesarius of Arles. He went to study under a famous teacher, but left.
Paradox in Benedictine "scienter nescius et sapienter indoctus" This became the seeds of culture in the church.
The Rule: Monkish Learning.
Questions about the culture of the author, and the expected culture of the monks.
1. Benedict does not seem hugely erudite. He quotes or draws from or uses other Rules of the time. His work is notable not for learning itself but for the wisdom and understanding employed in it.
2. What does he expect of culture in the monk? Unlike manual labor, it is not laid out in the Rule, rather mostly assumed. Possibly this is because for aristocrats, manual labor would be more at issues than learning was for the peasants?
The same elements, of knowledge of letters and search foro God, that appear in the Life also appear in the Rule.
Lectio divina --tto practice it you must have a book at hand and the knowledge of how to read it and write "meditari aut legere"
Every monk is to receive a Codex for Lent, which implies a considerable library or collection of texts to distribute.
Readings in Scripture and from Cassian and Basil are done in the refectory, at Compline etc.
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