A rule of life is a set of rhythms and practices we choose to live out in order to make space for our highest priorities, values, relationships, and callings.

St. Benedict authored the first well-known rule of life for monks in the 6th century, and both religious communities and official church movements have had clearly defined rules of life ever since. Yet, outside of religious communities and official movements like Cursillo or Focolare, etc., very few lay Catholics in ordinary parishes know how to write a rule of life for prayer, study, rest, community, mission, and the like.

The Image of a Trellis

One use of the word “rule” (regula in Latin) is “a straight piece of wood,” like a ruler. But long ago it was sometimes used to denote a trellis for plants, upon which a vine can grow, as in a vineyard. With this in mind, recall Jesus’ metaphor of the vine and the branches found in John 15.

What does the structure of a trellis do for a vine? It gives it the spacing and structure it needs to keep growing, to stay protected (from predation, rot, and getting trampled on), and to bear much more fruit than it would otherwise.

This is what a prayerfully chosen rule of life does for our relationship with God. When we choose to order our lives around the practices and rhythms that best position us to experience God’s rest, receive his Spirit, tune us into his voice, and share his life with others, we construct a trellis upon which we can continue to grow, be healed, and bear fruit for the Kingdom. A rule of life helps our good intentions to follow Jesus and grow in virtue become a reality, instead of just another hope on a never-ending list of competing demands for our time.