Book Group: Wisdom, The Good Life

Discover what it truly means to live the good life through the timeless wisdom of Scripture and the Benedictine tradition.

Join us for a lunch-hour five-week book study (online via Zoom) of Wisdom: The Good Life: Wisdom Literature and the Rule of Benedict by Benedictine scholar Sister Irene Nowell, OSB. Drawing from the rich wisdom books of the Old Testament alongside the enduring insights of the Rule of St. Benedict, Nowell offers a practical and deeply spiritual guide for anyone longing to live with greater purpose, joy, discernment, and peace. Rather than presenting wisdom as something reserved for scholars or saints, she reveals it as a way of life available to each of us in the ordinary moments of every day. Each chapter includes thoughtful reflection questions and meditative prayers, making this an ideal resource for shared conversation and personal growth.

Whether you are new to Benedictine spirituality or have long sought to deepen your understanding of the Rule of St. Benedict, this study invites you into meaningful conversation about the questions that matter most: How do we respond to suffering? How do we cultivate healthy relationships? Where do we encounter God in the routines of daily life? And what does it mean to become a truly wise person?

Together, we will read, reflect, and encourage one another as we seek to embody the wisdom that leads to a flourishing life.

Reading Schedule

• September 16: Introduction & Preface
• September 23: Chapter 1 (Fear of the Lord: Beginning of Wisdom) + Chapter 2 (Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? The Mystery of Suffering)
• September 30: Chapter 3 (Wisdom and Creation) + Chapter 4 (Wisdom in the Daily: Eating and Drinking; Possessions)
• October 7: Chapter 5 (Listening: The Way to Wisdom) + Chapter 6 (Wisdom in the Daily: Relationships and Reconciliation)
• October 14: Chapter 7 (Wisdom and Joy) + Chapter 8 (Christ: Wisdom of God, Center of Our Lives)

You do not need to be a biblical scholar or familiar with the Rule of St. Benedict to participate—only a desire to grow in wisdom and to share the journey with others. Bring your questions, your experiences, and an open heart. Come discover how ancient wisdom continues to illuminate modern life and how the Benedictine way offers a hopeful path toward living well in today’s world.

Purchase the book in advance from Liturgical Press ($10) and join us for five weeks of rich conversation, prayerful reflection, and practical wisdom. We look forward to welcoming you.