Written some fifteen centuries ago, The Rule of St. Benedict is still read and studied by thousands of men and women throughout the world. In recent years more and more lay people have turned to the Rule, and have found within its pages a deep and practical spirituality which is helpful to them in coping with the problems and challenges they meet in their everyday lives. This new edition of the classic Parry translation of the Rule has been prepared for a general audience and comes complete with an introduction by Esther de Waal which offers a commentary both on the underlying themes of the Rule and on the contents of specific chapters. In addition the notes and references from the previous edition have been retained, and the text has been set in large and readable type. In the words of Abbot Parry's masterly translation we come face to face with St. Benedict himself, and we come to appreciate anew the magnificent combination of spirituality and practically that make the Rule a uniquely valuable source book for us today.
