Humility Rules: Saint Benedict’s Twelve-Step Guide to Genuine Self-Esteem

168 Pages·2017·6.83 MB·English

by  Augustine Wetta

HUMILITY RULES
J. AUGUSTINE WETTA, O.S.B.
Monk of Saint Louis Abbey
HUMILITY RULES
Saint Benedict 's Twelve-Step
Guide to Genuine
Self-Esteem
IGNATIUS PRESS SAN FRANCISCO
Scripture quotations are from Revised Standard Version of the Bible—Second Catholic Edition
(Ignatius Edition) Copyright © 2006 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States
of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Cover art:
Saint Benedict with Skateboard
by Jean C. Wetta
Cover design by Augustine Wetta, O.S.B.
© 2017 by Ignatius Press, San Francisco
All rights reserved
ISBN 978-1-62164-149-0 (PB)
ISBN 978-1-68149-787-7 (EB)
Library of Congress Control Number 2017932733
Printed in the United States of America
For my godmother, Tina Stretch
I see the beauty of Your grace;
I contemplate its radiance,
and I reflect its light.
I am caught up in its unspeakable splendor.
I am drawn outside of myself as I think of myself.
What I am, what I have become—O what wonder!
My eyes are open, for in my own presence,
I feel such esteem, reverence, even fear,
as though I were actually standing before You.
I am bewildered, overwhelmed by this fear.
I do not know whether to sit or stand,
what to do with these arms and legs that are Yours,
for what works, what deeds I should use them,
these wondrous divine marvels.
Grant me to speak, and also to do what I say,
O my Maker, my Creator, my God!
—Saint Symeon the New Theologian
Hymns 2, 19–27

CONTENTS
Introduction
Saint Benedict's Ladder of Humility
Step 1: Fear of God
Step 2: Self-Denial
Step 3: Obedience
Step 4: Perseverance
Step 5: Repentance
Step 6: Serenity
Step 7: Self-Abasement
Step 8: Prudence
Step 9: Silence
Step 10: Dignity
Step 11: Discretion
Step 12: Reverence
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
Illustration Sources
Notes