Saint Benedict Rules

How Saint Benedict Lives Out His Rules “The Rule of Saint Benedict” is a guideline for the Benedictine monks to follow in order to thrive in their relationship with God. In Saint Gregory’s account of “The Life of Saint Benedict,” Saint Benedict illustrates the rules he established and demonstrates how these rules help the monks to lead a holy life. Saint Benedict clearly lives out his own rules in a few instances such as, not becoming angry, practicing the steps of humility, and not succumbing to the desires of the flesh. One of Saint Benedict’s rules is, “Not to become angry” (Rule of Saint Benedict 52). By not becoming angry, monks will not acquire grudges against other monks. Saint Benedict displayed this rule after he had discovered that the monks deliberately poisoned his wine (The Life
This step of humility is also a very important rule that accompanies his rule of “Not to become angry.” Speaking gently makes a large difference in the vibe of a situation. Speaking in a raised voice initiates anger. Speaking gently also takes a large amount of self-control. Saint Benedict demonstrated this by not yelling at the monks after they poisoned his wine (The Life 202). The eleventh step of humility builds off of Saint Benedict’s rule of “Not to become angry” because to become angry, is a mental and a physical action. If a person is angry, however he does not show it, it take him more self-control to not demonstrate that he is angry than to not become angry in the first place. If a man is not angry, then he will appear not to be angry. Speaking gently, even when a man is angry, is a large step in not becoming angry. Saint Benedict made this step to remind the monks of his rule of not becoming angry. This step makes the monks remember that