The love of learning, which goes together with the desire for God, entails reading and knowledge. Evidently St. Benedict wanted to further the culture of the mind in his sons. This entails the presence in the monastery of a well-supplied library, because every monk must receive a codex for Lent. The final part of the Benedictine Rule invites the monks to read the Holy Scriptures (lectio divina), , Cassian, Saint Basil and the “holy catholic Fathers”. Additionally, one must be able to read in the refectory, in the choir, and before guests.

On the whole, reading (including general interest books) has an essential place in a monastery, and some monks (“scholastic” monks) are allowed to engage in a curriculum, generally in view of future priesthood. Thus the monastery takes literally and fully assumes its status as a “school for the service of the Lord”.