Restoring Beauty to the World

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Ora et labora.… “Pray and work.”

This is the motto of the Rule of St. Benedict, written in 516 by the famous founder of Western monasticism, Benedict of Nursia. For fifteen centuries Benedictine monks have lived their lives according to this motto, performing manual labor and praying to God. Many laypeople have similarly taken this motto to heart, forming lay Benedictine societies or simply adhering to “the rule” in their daily lives.

“St. Benedict found the world, physical and social, in ruins,” observed the great churchman John Henry Newman, “and his mission was to restore it… quietly, patiently, gradually.”

At The Imaginative Conservative, we similarly seek to preserve the good, the true, and the beautiful of the Western Tradition. Our creed: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

We are blessed to have the generous support of many loyal readers. And so we would add to Benedict’s Rule the idea of giving to further the work of restoring a world in ruins: “Pray, work, give.”

The financial support of our readers makes it possible for us to share our hope-filled dedication to the true, the good, and the beautiful. Please join us by making your donation today. Every donation, large or small, joins with our labor and prayer to restore the best of the Western Tradition.

For your consideration:

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The Imaginative Conservative is sponsored by The Free Enterprise Institute (non-profit 501c3). Your donation to the Institute in support of The Imaginative Conservative is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law (for contribution by mail please contact us at aline.roach@thefreeenterpriseinstitute.org).

The top image is courtesy of Pixabay.

W. Winston Elliott III is Editor-in-Chief of The Imaginative Conservative and President of The Free Enterprise Institute. Additionally, Mr. Elliott is Visiting Professor of Liberal Arts in the Honors College of Houston Christian University, and member of the Board of Rosary College. He earned his Master of Arts in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College, Master of Arts in Theology from the University of St. Thomas (Houston), and Master of Business Administration, with Honors, from the University of Houston.