Prayers for Family

Labor  |  Parenting  |  catholic family life  |  family prayer

Ora et Labora: Prayer and Work

By: Debra Black September 1st, 2025

In St. Benedict’s rule for living monastic life, Debra Black finds many pearls of wisdom for living in our domestic church. Whatever good work thou dost begin, beg of Him with most earnest prayer to perfect. (Rule of St. Benedict, preface, p. 3, 5) How the Catholic Home Should Run I was in a Catholic bookstore several decades back when a man pointed to the book of St. Benedict’s Rule and said to me, “This is how every home should be run.” Intrigued, I bought the book. Back then we didn’t hear about our home being the domestic church, but the saints do teach us to turn our heart and mind to God as we go through the day. A life which melds prayer and work sounds inviting, even dreamy! Then the reality of the daily grind sets in, and it seems like everyone needs a piece of you, leaving little to nothing of your heart to give to God.