RE109: THE BENEDICTINES

A School for the Lord’s Service

DESCRIPTION: An overview of the rich and ancient heritage of the Benedictine Order
within the monastic tradition, beginning with St. Benedict, father of western
monasticism and co-patron of Europe. This course will include, among other things, an
introduction to the Rule of Benedict, monastic spirituality and prayer—in common and
lectio divina, a history of the Order, highlighting influential monks and nuns, art and
music, and the Benedictines today.

TEXTS:
 Benedict of Nursia: His Message for Today. Anselm Grün, O.S.B.; Linda M.
Maloney, translator (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, © 2006).
 RB80: The Rule of Benedict in English . Timothy Fry, O.S.B., editor
(Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, © 1981).
 Saint Benedict’s Rule for Fair Play in Sports. Larry Haeg, © 2007.

REQUIREMENTS: The following are essential for a successful completion of the course:
 Prompt attendance at all classes & observance of the dress code.
 Registration on class website.
 Satisfactory scores on quizzes (announced).
 Satisfactory completion of assignments.
 Participation in class discussions.
 Preparation for class, i.e. notebook, text, pen/pencil.
 No cell phones or other electronic devices during class, including laptops
unless requested by guidance counselor.

EVALUATION: Grades will be determined as follows:

 Quizzes 30%
 Unit Exams 25%
 Monastic Luminaries 10%
 Term Paper 25%
 Class Participation 10%
 Extra Credit available on request & at teacher’s discretion

Quizzes will be based on the reading assignments. Unit exam(s) will consist of
objective questions and essays. Each student will choose a monastic luminary
from history (cf. list). You will be required to make a brief presentation in class
and complete a term paper, due May 1, 2009.
The term paper will be 3-4 pages in length, biographical in nature, and
include what he or she has to offer us in a 21 st “school for the Lord’s service.”
The paper must include footnotes and a bibliography. Please use only one (1)

1
 internet source. It is to be double-spaced, and typed in a 12-point, Roman-style
font.

INSTRUCTOR: Reverend Edward Seton Fittin, O.S.B., B.A. in Art (Mount Saint Mary’s
University); M.Div. in Theology (The Catholic University of America). Contact:
edward@delbarton.org; ext. 2039 (office).

TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE:

 Pre-Christian & Early Christian Roots of Monasticism (Power Point)
 The Rule (selected chapters; T. Kardong)
 Monastic History
1. Outline (website)
2. Origins of NJ Benedictines (G. Hayes)
 St. Benedict & Sports (Haeg)
 The Benedictines & the Arts (N. Cochran)
1. St. John’s Bible (video)
2. Monastery tour
 St. Benedict Today (Grün)
 Cyber-monasticism; conclusions
 A Benedictine Whodunit: Br. Cadfæl, the 12th century sleuth!

MONASTIC LUMINARIES
1. Aelred of Rievaulx (St.) 18. Gertrude of Helfta (St.)
2. Anselm (St.) 19. Gregory the Great (St.)
3. Augustine of Canterbury (St.) 20. Gregory VII (St.)
4. Basil (St.) 21. Hilda of Whitby (St.)
5. Basil Hume 22. Hildegard (St.)
6. Bede the Venerable (St.) 23. John Cassian (St.)
7. Benedicta Riepp 24. McLachlan, Laurentia
8. Bernard of Clairvaux (St.) 25. Mechtild (St.)
9. Bernard Tolomei (St.) 26. Merton, Thomas
10. Boniface (St.) 27. Michel, Virgil
11. Boniface Wimmer 28. Placid & Maur (Sts.)
12. Celestine V (St.) 29. Prosper Guéranger
13. Chittester, Joan 30. Romuald (St.)
14. Cîteaux, Holy Abbots of (Sts.) 31. Scholastica (St.)
15. Cluny, Holy Abbots of (Sts.) 32. Weakland, Rembert
16. Columba Marmion (Bl.)
17.