St Benedict's Ladder Poem by Brother Jonathan Gardner

Saint Benedict's twelve steps to humility,
Is like a ladder that we each should ascend.
For in applying them to our life we might achieve sanctity,
And reach bliss and tranquility in the end

The first step is to know God, to 'see' Him in all,
And the second, to follow His will,
The third step is to obey God in things great and small,
And the fourth, to be patient, endure and tranquil.

The fifth step is to be honest about our shortcomings and accept blame,
And the sixth, to be content with a little in life.
The seventh step is to keep ones ego humble and tame.
And the eighth, is not to seek difference, but live without strife.

The ninth step is to that in our speech we show restraint
And the tenth, to be of a serious mind.
The eventh step is to encourage with words, without complaint
And the twelfth step, to combine both intent and action, to be kind.


[Brother Jonathan Gardner]
Copyright © ®2008, Brother Jonathan Gardner. All rights reserved.

Notes:
This poem is based on St Benedict's 'laddrer', that is the twelve steps to humility, as recorded by St Benedict's writings in 'The Rule'. If interested, there are some good books on 'The Rule' eg 'Seeking God' by Esther De Waal