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The Benedictine Handbook Trivia Quiz

Written by St. Benedict of Nursia in the sixth Century, this book went on to become admired by Christians around the world. Here is a quiz about the book. Thanks, and I hope you enjoy.

A multiple-choice quiz by neon000. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
neon000

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
289,801

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
634

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the following is the name which came to be applied to the way of life set forth in the book? Hint

The Commands of St. Benedict

The Pattern of St. Benedict

The Rule of St. Benedict

The Dictates of St. Benedict

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following is a problem condemned repeatedly in the book, as something that leads to instability in the community? Hint

Not washing

Murmuring

Eating too much

Sleeping late

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? Hint

Singing hymns

In silence

Reciting prayers out loud

However they wished to do so

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Question 4 of 10

4. Every person in good health in a Benedictine community was expected to do which of the following? Hint

Work or chores, to foster humility and fight laziness

Recite one book of the Bible from memory, without errors

Run laps around the residence hall every morning

Keep the cells clean enough to pass random inspections

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Question 5 of 10

5. What is an oblate? Hint

A person who can't remember their prayers

A person in charge of maintenance at the chapel

An assistant to the librarian

A person who follows the Rule of St. Benedict but does not live in a monastery

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Question 6 of 10

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? Hint

Cooking one's own food

Prayer

Picking produce in the monastery garden

Repairing antiquated books in the library

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Question 7 of 10

7. In what language was the first edition of the book printed? Hint

Hebrew

Greek

French

Latin

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Question 8 of 10

8. In Chapter 56, who is to eat meals with the guests of the monastery? Hint

The cook

The abbot

The bell-ringer

The new residents

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Question 9 of 10

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? Hint

Drinking alcohol

Going outside without the permission of superiors

Breaking a fast before its scheduled end

Striking one another

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Question 10 of 10

10. Chapter 22 describes a number of details about life in the monastery. Which of these is a real item? Hint

Monks were to sleep in their habits

Prospective members under 25 had to get permission from their parents

If you were caught with candy in your room, you could be expelled

No copying materials out of a book without the abbot's permission

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following is the name which came to be applied to the way of life set forth in the book?

Answer: The Rule of St. Benedict

The rule was adopted by those who joined the Order of St. Benedict. The book sets forth a number of guidelines for prayer, work and other aspects of daily life in a monastery. Many laypeople today also use the book as a help in meditation and a deepening of their prayer lives.

2. Which of the following is a problem condemned repeatedly in the book, as something that leads to instability in the community?

Answer: Murmuring

It is described as something akin to resentful or malicious complaints. All the other actions would not be approved of as well, but they are not discussed at length in the book. Murmuring is first mentioned in Chapter Five, and several times afterward.

Answer: In silence

This was out of respect for anyone who might stay behind in order to continue praying. Benedict cautioned the monks not to break someone else's concentration.

4. Every person in good health in a Benedictine community was expected to do which of the following?

Answer: Work or chores, to foster humility and fight laziness

Monasteries often kept small farms and other cottage industries, in order to help the residents support themselves. A monk might be given any particular task, such as tilling a garden or manufacturing clothes. Work was seen as something which not only created useful supplies, it also kept people from becoming slothful.

5. What is an oblate?

Answer: A person who follows the Rule of St. Benedict but does not live in a monastery

The term is used by other religious orders as well. The concept is similar to that of the "third order," or a layperson's division of a religious group. This allows members to take part in prayer, retreats, pilgrimages and other activities without taking vows as a monk or nun.

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?

Answer: Prayer

The 2003 edition of "The Benedictine Handbook" includes two weeks' worth of morning and evening prayer. These readings include selections from the Psalms, as well as hymns and other prayers.

7. In what language was the first edition of the book printed?

Answer: Latin

Benedict was living in the Abbey of Monte Cassino when he wrote the Rule, with the goal of increasing discipline and piety among monks. This was about 530 A.D. Some monasteries, supported by rich patrons, had become lax in their ways and suffered vices such as gluttony, little contemplation, and other ills.

The Rule helped combat these issues by replacing them with structure and responsibility.

8. In Chapter 56, who is to eat meals with the guests of the monastery?

Answer: The abbot

Guests were "to be received as Christ Himself." This declaration was given in Chapter 53. Hospitality proceeded out of humility and love for others.

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?

Answer: Striking one another

Although fighting may not have been the most common issue in the communities, when it did happen, it was not taken lightly. Those who had any physical altercations were to be "rebuked before everyone else."

10. Chapter 22 describes a number of details about life in the monastery. Which of these is a real item?

Answer: Monks were to sleep in their habits

This was to allow the monk to be able to wake up at any time and be ready to attend special prayer services. It also eliminated the need to spend money on extra clothes, or to attract attention to oneself.

Source: Author neon000

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