The Rule of Saint Benedict - Saint, Benedict, Abbot of Monte Cassino; Meisel, Anthony C. del Mastro, M. L. (Garden City, N.Y. : Image Books, 1975)
The different kinds of monks and their customs -- The qualities of the abbot -- The counsel of the brothers -- The instruments of good works -- Obedience -- Silence -- Humility -- The divine office at night (Matins) -- How many psalms are to be said in the night office -- How the night office is to be said in summer -- How Matins is to be celebrated on Sundays -- Lauds -- celebration -- Lauds -- ordinary days -- Night office on saints' days -- The seasons during which Alleluia is chanted -- The day office -- The number of psalms said in the day office -- Psalms -- order to be chanted -- How the office should be performed -- Reverence at prayer -- The deans of the monastery -- How the monks are to sleep -- Excommunication for faults -- The measure of excommunication -- Grave faults -- Those who meet with the excommunicated without leave of the abbot -- The abbot's care of the excommunicated -- Those who do not change their ways despite much correction -- Readmittance of departed brothers -- Correction of youths -- The cellarer -- Property and utensils -- Private ownership by monks -- The apportionment of necessities -- Weekly kitchen service -- Sick brothers -- Old men and children -- The weekly reader -- Food apportionment -- Drink apportionment -- Dining hours -- No talk after Compline -- Late-comers to the Divine Office and meals -- How the excommunicated are to make satisfaction -- Mistakes in the oratory -- Offense in other matters -- Sounding the Hours of the Divine Office -- Daily manual labor -- Observance of Lent -- Brothers who work at a distance from the oratory or are traveling -- Brothers who do not go far -- The oratory of the monastery -- The reception of guests -- The receipt of letters and presents -- Clothing and shoes -- The abbot's table -- Artisans and craftsmen -- The admission of new brothers -- Sons of noblemen or of poor men offered to God's service -- Priests who would live in the monastery -- Reception of pilgrim monks -- Priests of the monastery -- Rank in the monastery -- Election of the abbot -- Provost of the monastery -- The porter of the monastery -- Brothers sent on a journey -- When a brother is asked to do the impossible -- No one shall presume to defend another in the monastery -- No one is to presume to strike another -- The brothers ought to obey one another -- The good zeal monks should possess -- All perfection is not herein attained.
Keywords: Benedictines Rules.Monasticism and religious orders Italy History Middle Ages, 600-1500.