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Handout #63 |
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The abbot in the Rule of St. Benedict |
| It is well-known that there are four sorts of monks. The first is of cenobites, who dwell in convents under the direction of a rule and an abbot .. (ch. 1)An abbot qualified to govern a monastery ought always to remember the name he bears, and to maintain by his good life the title of superior; for he is esteemed to supply the place of Christ in the monastery, being called by his name; according to the apostle: 'You have received the spirit of the adoption of sons, whereby we cry Abba, Father' **When anyone take upon him the office of abbot, he is to instruct his disciples in two ways. That is: he is to lay before them what is good and holy, more by example than by words; to teach the law of the Lord by word of mouth to such as are of a quicker comprehension, and by example to those of harder heart and meaner capacities. He ought to create by his conduct an aversion from the thing which he condemns in his discourse, then he will not prove a castaway while he preaches to others .... (Ch. 2)Whenever any matter of moment is to be debated in the monastery, the abbot is to assemble the whole community, and to lay open the business before them; and after having heard their opinions, and maturely debated with himself, he may resolve on what he judges most profitable. We have for this reason ordained that the whole community shall be assembled because God often reveals what is best to the young (Ch. 3)The first degree of humility is a prompt and ready obedience. This is fitting for those who love Christ above all else. By reason of the holy duty they have undertaken, or for fear of hell, or for eternal glory, they make no more delay to comply, the very instant anything is appointed them, than if God himself had given the command (Ch. 5)Rule of St. Benedict |
