The High History of &rim Benedict and his Monks. Collated by a Monk of Douai Abbey. (Sands. 15s.)
Reviewed by DOM THEODORE WESSELING, O.S.B.
THIS book contains in an attractive style and in conveniently short chapters-118 of them—some of what one might call the " inside " history of St. Benedict and his followers. The passages are drawn from Bede's Ecclesiastical History, the Dialogues of St. Gregory. the Rule of St. Benedict, the Lives of Alban Buller and Capgrave's Golden Legend-. There is as much spiritual advice as hagiographic detail to be culled from thew sources and the monk of Douai Abbey has rendered a signal service in making this treasure available to the general public. At the same time it must be admitted that the passing to and fro throughout the centuries without any apparent order is somewhat of a strain on the mind and does not encourage continuous reading. There is no Preface and the author may have his reasons for his arrangement, but 1 have failed to trace them. On the whole, it is a genuine and stimulating Addition to our spiritual reading-list which should be of value for Lent—according to St. Benedict's advice in his Rule.