… of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict, that is.
Reader Don asked me why I had gone with Doyle’s translation as opposed to Fry’s translation when purchasing a copy of the Holy Rule a ways back. A good question.
I first heard about Doyle’s translation from John’s website. Originally I was going to go purchase The Benedictine Handbook, but after browsing around in it on Amazon, I wasn’t keen on that particular translation. It was at that time that John posted a review of the Handbook, and mentioned Doyle’s translation. So, back to Amazon to “look” at the translation and read some selections.
When I as an Oblate Novice, my Monastery gave me Fry’s translation of the Holy Rule, in the red cover Rule of St. Benedict:1980. I do enjoy Fry’s translation. I like that he uses “brothers” and “abbot” and whatnot. I know some people prefer inclusive language, but that’s not something I particularly enjoy. There were several drawbacks for me from the RB:1980 – first off, I have worn it out. It’s held together by rubber bands, and I decided that as a full Oblate; I owed myself a copy of the Holy Rule that was a little more stout. Secondly, it’s what I call “Wall O’ Text” – just a lot of text. It’s grouped by chapters. It’s also a pocket edition, so it’s hard for me to read the smaller print.
Doyle’s translation – the blue hardcover edition – maintains the exclusive language, if you will; but provides the Holy Rule in a much easier format. The type is great, the layout is columnar, grouped into daily readings (you can read the Holy Rule three times a year that way). It’s easier on my eyes, and I greatly appreciate that.
After reading some (not all, yet) of Doyle’s translation I can see why John likes it. It’s not overly different from Fry’s translation, but I find it easier to understand what St. Benedict was trying to convey. Some parts of Fry’s translation were kind of hard for me to understand – not a limitation of Fry but moreso myself. I tend to need things broken down quite simply for me.
Eventually, I do want to purchase The Benedictine Handbook because it looks like a great companion, especially about Benedictine Saints. I also want to find a decent commentary of the Holy Rule, keeping with “brothers” and “abbot” and whatnot and not feminizing it or modernizing it. Eventually, I would like some other translations for the same reason why I have a plethora of different Bible translations – to compare and contrast and see what’s going on across translations. For now, I’m sticking with Doyle’s translation.
Elise is calling for me, but I hope that answers your question, Don. 
