Synopses & Reviews
In Responsorial Psalms for Weekday Mass: Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, Father Anthony Ruff, OSB, offers a simple chanted setting and makes it possible for the responsorial psalm to be sung at every daily Mass during the seasons of the liturgical year. These responsorial psalms were conceived for unaccompanied singing led by a single cantor, but keyboard accompaniments and 'tar chords are provided for those who desire it.
The melodic settings use the eight Gregorian chant modes, as found in the psalm tones of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. Type melodies, one for each mode, are employed repeatedly for varying antiphon texts, making it easier for cantor and congregation to pick up the antiphon melodies. The psalm verses are provided in two translations, the New American Bible translation of the United States Lectionary for Mass and the Grail translation, as revised in 1983 for inclusive human language. This unique collection of psalm music allows us to celebrate the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter more fully.
Download ready-to-use Seasonal Assembly Leaflets of the antiphons
Anthony Ruff, OSB, is a monk of Saint John's Abbey. He teaches theolo' litur' and'ian chant at Saint John's University and plays or' in the abbey. Ruff is the founding director of the National Catholic Youth Choir and is a frequent presenter across the U.S. on topics of liturgy and music. In addition to his many journal articles, he is the author of Sacred Music and Liturgical Reform: Treasures and Transformations."
Review
This translation and commentary will be a valuable resource for educators seeking to introduce undergraduates to the development of monasticism and hagiography.Religious Studies Review
Review
The book is written with great affection for the character St. Benedict both historically and as he appears in the Life. Moreover, Kardong provides insight into how Benedict is seen through Gregorys admiring eyes. For these reasons and because of the helpful line-by-line explication, the work may be helpful to both scholars and beginning students in the Benedictine studies, history, literature, and theology. Because the commentary so fully fills in the background and contextual picture surrounding the text, Kardongs book would also be of benefit to a general audience interested in deepening knowledge of St. Benedict and the traditions surrounding his life.Catholic Studies
Review
This is a useful tool to instruct anyone interested in Benedictine life. Benedictines
Review
If you are looking for a translation of The Life of Saint Benedict (Book 2 of the Dialogues) by Saint Gregory the Great with commentary, this book is an excellent one to take in hand. Especially for those in monastic formation, oblate formation, or monastic studies courses, it is a user-friendly volume that is compact and attractive.Cistercian Studies Quarterly
Review
In Terrence Kardongs many contributions to the explication of and commentary on St. Benedict's Rule, we have always found the sharp and well worded wisdom that opens the Rule and the human heart to the truth of each other. That same sharp wisdom and clear perception of humanity is now brought to Gregory the Greats life of St. Benedict. Our contention throughout this commentary, Kardong says, is that these stories are true” even if they never happened. Kardong's commentary goes deeper than what the stories say to reveal Gregory's intent to bring the reader to love Benedict and Gregory's skill in shaping each narrative and the overall narrative to give the reader a sense of continuity. And there is large truth herethe truth of Christ, of Benedict, of human persons and humanity.Sister Shawn Carruth, OSB
Review
Entering into the spirit of the Dialogues, Fr. Terrence offers us a lucid translation and a sensible commentary that explores the meaning of this spiritual classic. His vast knowledge allows him to link the text both to the Scriptures and to the spiritual tradition. His typical enthusiasm underlines the importance of St. Benedicts spiritual development. Finally Fr. Terrences clarity makes this work accessible to anyone interested in the spiritual life.Harry Hagan, OSB, Saint Meinrad Archabbey and School of Theology, Saint Meinrad, Indiana
Review
Terrence Kardong, OSB, has gifted us with a fresh new translation of and commentary on Gregorys Life of Benedict as depicted in the Dialogues. The commentary is interspersed throughout the book, following sections he has just translated. The net effect of this methodology is to create a much more rounded, continuous biography, rather than simply proceeding from Gregorys rather sketchy and sometimes dubious rendition. The author balances Gregorys Benedict with what we know from current scholarship. Father Terrence, master of the anecdote, displays once again his uncanny ability to express the profound with elegant simplicity. He has been able in this book to interweave the credible from Gregory with the believable of Benedict, as he reveals himself in his own Rule. The result, as always from Terrences pen, is both readable and reliable, as well as entertaining and enjoyable.Fr. John Crean, OblSB, PhD, Coeditor of MAGISTRA: A Journal of Womens S
Review
Fr. Terrence Kardong brings to his study of Pope Gregory's Life of Benedict the same critical eye and balanced judgment that he brings to the Rule of Benedict. His commentary and footnotes situate Gregorys work in the context of early medieval hagiography while alerting the reader to the issues of contemporary research. Kardong presents a calm perspective on the debate about Gregory's authorship of Dialogues II. His commentary fills a gap in American Benedictine scholarship.Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, Subiaco Abbey, Subiaco, Arkansas
Synopsis
In his classic Second Book of Dialogues, Pope Gregory the Great lionizes Saint Benedict as hero and casts him predominantly in the role of miracle worker. Yet in his Rule, Benedict comes across more as a practical community organizer and premier spiritual father. In this volume, Terrence Kardong offers a fresh take on Gregory the Great's classic. He alternates between translated sections of the Diablo's and his own commentary. Crisp and direct, and infused with his wry and ever-present sense of humor, Kardong's writings sure to build up the spiritual life of readers and, equally important, to make them love St. Benedict..
About the Author
Terrence G. Kardong, OSB, is a monk of Assumption Abbey in Richardton, North Dakota. Editor of American Benedictine Review, he also wrote Benedict's Rule published by the Liturgical Press.