In the Prologue of his Rule, St. Benedict maps out the road that leads to heaven; he lays the foundation for life in a community that seeks God. The themes that are present throughout the Rule - obedience, humility, prayer, fear of the Lord, eternal life - are grounded in the Prologue.

By reflecting on the Prologue one verse at a time, Michael Casey, OCSO, delves into the richness of meaning that can be found in Benedict's words. These reflections, first given as talks and made available on his community's web site, build a bridge between the sixth-century text and twenty-first-century Christians. In The Road to Eternal Life, Casey invites readers to reflect on the Prologue in light of their own experiences, to seek the road that leads to salvation.

Recently I asked Brother Patrick Hart of Gethsemani who was the best writer of our times. He said, you mean, after Merton? I said, yes. Who would be the best of my generation? He replied, without hesitation, Michael Casey, OCSO. Brother Patrick went on to say, he writes with clarity and depth. Reading this new book on the Prologue of the Rule of Benedict confirms Brother Patrick's affirmation.Meg Funk, OSB, Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, Indiana
This book is a fine, careful pondering of one of the best-loved sections of Benedict’s Rule. Appropriate for all spiritual seekers who yearn to shape their life on gospel values.Books That Merit Attention St. Placid Priory Newsletter
As usual with Michael Casey’s books, The Road to Eternal Life is a treasure of monastic wisdom made accessible to people of today, in lay or monastic life. It doesn’t sacrifice depth but gives the reader the strong meat necessary to grow in the spiritual life.Christine Fletcher, Benedictine University, Lisle, IL

Michael Casey, OCSO, has been a monk of Tarrawarra Abbey (Australia) since 1960. In the intervening years he has conducted many retreats and workshops on every continent (except Antarctica) and has written many articles on topics relating to monastic history and spirituality. He is also the author of many books, including The Road to Eternal Life: Reflections on the Prologue of Benedict's Rule and Seventy-Four Tools for Good Living: Reflections on the Fourth Chapter of Benedict’s Rule, both from Liturgical Press.