Rule of St. Benedict

Installation

at the Benedictine Abbey of Admont, 2007

Approximation

The fundamental idea underlying this work is the statement from the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council: In the earthly liturgy, we participate as a foretaste in that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem, toward which we are journeying as pilgrims (Sacrosanctum Concilium I,8).

The installation symbolizes the journey of humankind, of Christians, and of pilgrims. The baptismal font and the altar serve as a link between Paradise as the origin—as described in the Book of Genesis in the Old Testament—and the promise of Paradise in the New Testament. They represent the source—the Eucharist—from which the Christian’s life draws sustenance. But they also represent the beginning and the end.

A path made of sand—a reference to the journey of the people of Israel through the desert—leads the viewer, accompanied by excerpts from the text describing the Garden of Eden in Genesis, from the baptismal font to the altar, which bears texts from all four Gospels (Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Morning), as well as the Lord’s Prayer. Surrounding the altar are the vestments—as used in the celebration of the Eucharist—symbolizing, as it were, a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy. Integrated into the installation are quotations from the Rule of St. Benedict as wisdom for life and faith, serving as signposts on the pilgrimage to God and thus to Paradise.

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Description

Ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus! – May God be glorified in all things!

The glorification of God in life and through life—this is how the meaning and purpose of the Rule of St. Benedict can be summarized. In a prologue and 73 chapters, the Italian monastic father seeks to provide his disciples with guidance on this matter. The paths to this end include prayer, asceticism, obedience, and the monastic way of life. Benedict does not call for extremes. He sets moderate standards that can apply to every person. Guided by Sacred Scripture, he recommends, for example, various tools of the spiritual life (Regula Benedicti (RB), Chapter 4). These include the Ten Commandments and the works of mercy, as well as general guidelines, such as making peace after a quarrel before sunset (RB 4:73).

The essence of the Rule of St. Benedict can be expressed in three imperatives:
Ora – pray!
Labora – work!
Lege – read!

Pray—to praise God in solemn liturgy, to give thanks to Him, and to ask Him for help. Work—to earn a living and to prevent sloth and idleness. Read—to understand the Word of God ever more deeply and to put it into practice in daily life. St. Benedict sees his work as a guide to fulfillment and happiness in life. And so the final chapter states: “Therefore, whoever you are, as you hasten toward the heavenly homeland, take this simple rule as your starting point and fulfill it with the help of Christ” (RB 73:8).

Father Winfried Schwab, OSB, Admont Abbey

This post is also available in: German

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