Friend of the Soul: A Benedictine Spirituality of Work

A well-known interpreter of the Bendictine way, Oblate Norvene Vest articulates with empathy and clarity the anguish of those who desire their work to be life-giving and meaningful. . . . By focusing on these timeless Benedictine principles of vocation, stewardship, and obedience, she gives the working reader a sense of inner stabilility in an increasingly chaotic workplace, and a higher vision, a place to stand from which to take risks and offer hope to the walking wounded of today’s marketplace.

Given the raised profile and significance of work among those who have jobs and the increasing number of people who are prevented from gaining employment owing to structural changes in the labor market, the Church must direct its energies to developing a holistic theology of work and employment. Norvene Vest has given us a valuable building block. Friend of the Soul is recommended reading.

Like Benedict, Vest applies Scripture to a workplace that little resembles biblical settings. Far from prescribing a motivational bromide to the dispirited worker, the author develops a plausible approach to sanctifying workplace relationships, tools and tasks.

Norvene Vest . . . views work as a holy endeavor-as vocation, stewardship, and obedience. The spiritual understanding of work, which has been operative in Benedictine monasteries around the world, sees our labor as an expression of our God-given gifts and talents. It contributes to the upbuilding of community, and it incarnates the process of serving others. Vest challenges us to unite work and prayer and, by so doing, to extend the kingdom of God.