Always We Begin Again by John McQuiston II

The Benedictine way of living has fascinated me since I discovered it wasn't left back in the Middle Ages but still exists in monasteries around the world. There are many practicing oblates; my favorite author Kathleen Norris is one and explains this practice in her book Cloister Walk:  "An oblation is an abbreviated yet powerful profession of monastic vows; you attach yourself to a particular monastery by signing a document on the altar during Mass in which you promise to follow the Rule of St. Benedict insofar as your situation in life will allow."

In Always We Begin Again, John McQuiston II has "translated" the Rule of St. Benedict and the service of the Morning Prayer from the Common Prayer Book  into his own words. He makes no claim to it being a precisely accurate statement of the original.  It is only a paraphrase that is consistent with the spirit of the Rule and is intended to make the means of the Rule available for use by those whose lives occur primarily outside church and monastery. He gives examples for a Weekday Schedule and Morning, Mid-day, and Evening Meditation and offers the readet this suggestion:

"Each day we should expose ourselves to the inspiration of others. Thousands of saints and wise men and women have left us messages of hope and encouragement. Read what is honest. Read the scriptures and the commentaries. Read great literature and poetry. Read the psalms. Read that which expresses the anguish and the exhilaration of experience and teaches us that we are not alone."  

I keep this book handy for reviewing.