The Benedictine Handbook

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Which of the following is the name which came to be applied to the way of life set forth in the book? The Pattern of St. Benedict The Rule of St. Benedict The Dictates of St. Benedict The Commands of St. Benedict

2. Which of the following is a problem condemned repeatedly in the book, as something that leads to instability in the community? Not washing Sleeping late Eating too much Murmuring

3. A common event at monasteries was "lectio divina" (divine reading), the recitation of sections of Scripture or the writings of Church fathers. In what manner did Benedict recommend monks leave the room afterwards? However they wished to do so Singing hymns In silence Reciting prayers out loud

4. Every person in good health in a Benedictine community was expected to do which of the following? Run laps around the residence hall every morning Keep the cells clean enough to pass random inspections Recite one book of the Bible from memory, without errors Work or chores, to foster humility and fight laziness

5. What is an oblate? A person in charge of maintenance at the chapel A person who can't remember their prayers A person who follows the Rule of St. Benedict but does not live in a monastery An assistant to the librarian

6. St. Benedict required people to follow a routine in work and in religious observances. Which of these activities were done in the morning and evening, every day? Prayer Picking produce in the monastery garden Cooking one's own food Repairing antiquated books in the library

7. In what language was the first edition of the book printed? Latin French Hebrew Greek

8. In Chapter 56, who is to eat meals with the guests of the monastery? The abbot The bell-ringer The cook The new residents

9. As with people from any walk of life, monks too had to be on guard against the vices that beset human nature. Which of these actions is forbidden in Chapter 70 of the book? Striking one another Breaking a fast before its scheduled end Drinking alcohol Going outside without the permission of superiors

10. Chapter 22 describes a number of details about life in the monastery. Which of these is a real item? If you were caught with candy in your room, you could be expelled Monks were to sleep in their habits Prospective members under 25 had to get permission from their parents No copying materials out of a book without the abbot's permission