Preface

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents v
3. Abbreviations vi
4. Preface vii
5. Introduction: Learning and Spirituality 1
6. THE FORMATION OF MONASTIC CULTURE
7. 1. The Conversion of St. Benedict 11
8. 2. St. Gregory, Doctor of Desire 25
9. 3. Cult and Culture 37
10. THE SOURCES OF MONASTIC CULTURE
11. 4. Devotion to Heaven 53
12. 5. Sacred Learning 71
13. 6. The Ancient Traditional Spirituality 89
14. 7. Liberal Studies 112
15. THE FRUITS OF MONASTIC CULTURE
16. 8. Literary Genres 153
17. 9. Monastic Theology 191
18. 10. The Poem of the Liturgy 236
19. Epilogue: Literature and the Mystical Life 255
20. APPENDICES
21. I. The Rule of St. Benedict and the Canticle of Canticles 273
22. II. The Monk who Slept during the Office 274
23. III. The Speculative Theology of Dom Bertrand 275
24. IV. Monastic Theology 276
25. V. St. Anselm 277
26. Index 279