Peace in Benedictine Spirituality: Peace with God and Peace in Human Relationships
With Fr. Donald Raila O.S.B.
April 18, 2026
In his Holy Rule St. Benedict mentions “peace” or its equivalent a number of times, and “Benedictine peace” is sometimes seen as a goal for societies and nations. The monk is to “seek after peace and pursue it” (Prologue), and the common sharing of goods is to be arranged so that “all the members will be at peace” (Chapter 34). This retreat will explore passages of the Holy Rule that call upon the Christian to practice the disciplines that lead to the constant practice of God’s presence and an interior peace with God. The retreat will also point out attitudes and behaviors that foster peace in families and communities. Some of the “tools” to be recommended are silence, humility, obedience (and listening), and the avoidance of murmuring.
Leader
Father Donald Raila, O.S.B., has been director of the Oblate program at Saint Vincent for more than 25 years. A popular retreat master, he has been a priest for more than 40 years. He has Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a doctorate in applied mathematics from Princeton University, as well as Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees from Saint Vincent Seminary. He has written three books and edited two, including Joy in the Life of a Follower of St. Benedict: An Exploration of Joy in Lent and in the…
Learn more about Fr. Donald Raila O.S.B.