The Practice of Reverence

Saint Benedict did not set out to reform society, endeavoring instead to teach people how to live together in one place with reverence before God, others, and the created world. The Practice of Reverence invites contemporary readers insight into how Benedict’s sixth-century wisdom still offers practical guidance for sanctifying daily life and fostering community today.

In The Practice of Reverence, a guest is guided by the abbey Guestmaster through Saint Benedict’s monastery, encountering monks whose lives exemplify various facets of reverence. Each encounter is centered on a specific chapter of the Rule and a monk whose role embodies Benedict’s wisdom, demonstrating how Saint Benedict's Rule encourages us to perceive every individual, task, and moment as sacred—from welcoming a stranger to washing dishes. Simple spiritual practices in the index help deepen reflection and put reverence into daily action.

Michael J. Peterson, OSB, is a monk of Saint John’s Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota. He is a retreat director, contributor to Give Us This Day and an avid swimmer.