The Very First Advice Column

According to the New England Quarterly (vol. 98, Issue 3, Sept. 2025), the very first advice column ever written appeared in 1691. The Athenian Gazette, or Casuistical Mercury (often shortened to Athenian Mercury was founded by John Duton. This periodical set out to answer questions submitted by the readers. According to the article, Mary Beth Norton, author of “I Humbly Beg Your Speedy Answer”, writes in her introduction of her book that this periodical “solicited and answered questions on a variety of topics such as science, medicine, military tactics, law, and the Bible. It also served as the world’s first advice column to publish advice on ‘personal matters’”. Pauline Phillips (Dear Abby) and Eppie Lederer (Ann Landers) had a combined daily readership of 200,000,000 people. It is natural to seek the advice of another.  

St. Benedict was sought after for his advice. Some, according to tradition, were not so fond of his advice and tried to kill him by poison (see the biography of St. Benedict by St. Gregory for more details). Others, however, accepted Benedict’s advice and sought to live their lives according to his Way. Lay and Religious, families and business leaders turn to the Rule of Benedict for advice, which centers on a life-long search for God through obedience, humility, prayer, and service. It might even be a bit fair to say that our Holy Father Benedict had John Duton beat in the advice column business by 1,151 years! 

Out of sheer fun, I asked Google AI the following question: “If St. Benedict of Nursia had published a newspaper, what would he have named it?” Google AI had a creative response: “Potential names

include: Ora et Labora Weekly; The Listener; The Silent Hour; The Daily Stability; The Cenobite; The Good Zeal. Then, of course, I thought of The Ladder and The Moderator (Moderation in all things) as potential names. And what would be the focus of this periodical? 

“To turn daily chores into a form of spiritual service” (Google AI). 

Playing a little more, I inquired what the topics might look like. Here are some imaginative topics in St. Benedict’s self-help paper: On Idleness vs Burnout– “The work is never finished. Stop when the bell rings, move to the next thing, trusting you have done enough;” On Relationships and Conflict- “Make peace before sunset”; On Lifestyle and Moderation– “Read to feed your soul.” 

And just as Ann Landers and dear Abby had a closing signature, St. Benedict’s could have been “May the Holy Cross be your light”. 

In the month of March we celebrated St. Benedict’s feast day (March 21) and St. Frances of Rome on March 9th (Patroness of all Benedictine Oblates). These are the following Benedictine feasts in March: 1st, 3rd, 9th, 11th, 16th, 20th, 21st, 25th, 26th, and 31st. I’ll let you Google to find their names! 

As we march out of Lent and enter into the Joy of the Resurrection this Easter season, may the month of April find you following the advice of St. Benedict in the Rule: 

“Listen carefully to the master’s instructions… and faithfully put it into practice (Prologue:1), keep a lamp burning (ch.22:4) and don’t sleep with (your) knives.” (Ch 22:5) 

Happy Easter.