What the Rule of St. Benedict Has to Offer Us Today

Pope Leo XIV addressed the dangers of prioritizing efficiency over human connection in his first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas. The Pope noted that when efficiency serves as the primary measure of value, people may view themselves as projects to be optimized instead of individuals called to relationship and communion.

The Rule of St. Benedict offers a framework for finding meaning through relationship and communion. Established by St. Benedict of Nursia following the collapse of Roman social and economic structures, the Rule provides guidance on listening intently, practicing the liturgy of work, and sharing silence. The Rule emphasizes the importance of listening with the ears of the heart to connect with God.