Chapter LXXII – De Bono Zelum
A Typographic Homage to the Rule of Saint Benedict
Chapter 72 of the Rule of Saint Benedict, titled De Bono Zelum (“On Good Zeal”), is a brief but powerful meditation on the spirit of community and fraternal love that Benedict envisioned for monastic life. Written in the early 6th century, the Rule emphasizes mutual honor, patience, obedience, and above all, a fervent love for God and one another. It ends the Rule not with regulations, but with a call to interior transformation and humility — a fitting spiritual seal.
Artistic Intent
This visual work presents Chapter 72 through contemplative typography, evoking both manuscript tradition and modern reverence. The Latin and English texts appear in parallel, fostering both liturgical resonance and devotional accessibility. An illuminated red initial “S” introduces the piece with solemnity, and a ghostlike silhouette of a Benedictine monk anchors the spiritual tone without distraction.
This artwork is part of a broader visual project — Digital Benedictine — which seeks to render sacred texts in ways that inspire contemplation, not just display.
Visual Elements
- Layout: Latin text in bold serif, English translation in softer tone and lighter color
- Typography: Hamlet Cicero for sacred formality; EB Garamond for grace and legibility
- Illumination: A hand-rendered red “S” inspired by medieval initials
- Symbolism: A low-opacity image of a monk, standing silently at the base of the composition
- Color Palette: Parchment beige, deep ashred, muted gray — chosen for monastic warmth
Devotional Note
This piece is not a decorative print. It is a visual meditation, designed to be read slowly — or prayed with. Its lines echo the call to “prefer nothing whatever to Christ,” and invite viewers into the Benedictine vision of loving discipline, patient humility, and zeal that leads to eternal life.
✥ Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam ✥
Availability
This work is available as a fine art print through Fine Art America, suitable for sacred spaces, monastic settings, home altars, or as a devotional gift.