Benedictines follow the Rule, which St. Benedict wrote for monks e arly in the 6th century: Preferring noth ing whatever to Christ (RB 4:21), seeking to live the Gospel in a radical way, they are gathered in community , committed to the brotherhood by a promise of stability in chaste love and led in the way of conversion by the guidance of a superior to whom they promise obedience. Today the Rule of St Benedict is followed by thousands of people as monks, nuns and oblates (people who try to live according to the Rule insofar as their circumstances allow, not in monasteries but "in the world") and there is growing interest in what St Benedict has to teach those who would not describe themselves as particularly religious but who desire to live in a … St. Benedict’s Rule for monastic living has been soul inspiring and formative for countless numbers of persons who have lived as monks, nuns, priests, deacons, teachers, parish workers, seekers of holiness, and so many others. St. Benedict, in full Saint Benedict of Nursia, Nursia also spelled Norcia, (born c. 480 ce, Nursia [Italy]—died c. 547, Monte Cassino; feast day July 11, formerly March 21), founder of the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino and father of Western monasticism; the rule that he established became the norm for monastic living throughout Europe. Mr. J. Frank Henderson edits a website that provides information about the history, dissemination and use of the Rule of Benedict adapted for and by women. Thus, the even-numbered chapters below have been adapted for a women's community. Rule of St. Benedict Saint Benedict, Abbot of Monte Cassino working in them (cf Ps 14[15]:4 ), saying with the Prophet: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us; by to Thy name give glory… How to Live: What the Rule of St. Benedict Teaches Us About Happiness, Meaning, and Community St Benedict lived in the 5th century, and wrote his famous Rule as a practical guide for abbots and brother monks living together in a monastic community. It is a short book, consisting of 73 chapters (no more than paragraphs), and sets out St Benedict's vision of how the values of the gospel can be lived out in a community. The odd-numbered chapters are for a men's community such as Saint Benedict would have known. Study the Holy Rule of St. Benedict Introduction to Study the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict and Abbot Philip Lawrence’s accompanying commentary.