Henceforth I worked no more alone despite / memories of bitterness, gall and slight…
Category Archives: Rule of St. Benedict
Worthy Oratory
An oratory is a physical structure constructed to demarcate a sacred space dedicated to prayer. There, members of a community can come and go freely to pray individually, without disturbing or being disturbed by the bustle of ordinary life. Without the interior compunction that recognizes the worth of the sacred, no physical structure can by …
Say Sorry
If someone commits a fault…he must at once come before the abbot and community and of his own accord admit his fault and make satisfaction. (Rule of St. Benedict 46.1-3) Piety is honesty plus contrition. Religious exercises become void if in interactions with other people you never admit to having done wrong. Self-deprecation before God …
Cultivate Silence
My children, “…diligently cultivate silence…” (Be still and know that I am God.) Rule of St. Benedict 42 The spiritual discipline of silence has an age-old history. In the spectrum of spiritual disciplines, it belongs to the category of fasting. Exercises such as fasting–from food or from mental stimulus–not only benefit our physical and mental …
Helpers For The Chef
Household Chores If the community is rather large, he should be given helpers, that with their assistance he may calmly perform the duties of his office. Necessary items are to be requested and given at the proper times, so that no one may be disquieted or distressed in the house of God. (Rule of St. …
Good Taste
He will provide the brothers their allotted amount of food without any pride or delay, lest they be led astray. For he must remember what the Scripture says that person deserves who leads one of the little ones astray [Matthew 18:6]. (Rule of St. Benedict 31.16) The chef serves. When you take charge of the …
Character Of The Chef
Temperate Definition There should be chosen from the community someone who is wise, mature in conduct, temperate…. If any brother happens to make an unreasonable demand of him, he should not reject him with disdain and cause him distress, but reasonably and humbly deny the improper request….knowing for certain that he will be held accountable …
Comfort The Wayward
The abbot must exercise the utmost care and concern for wayward brothers . . . . Therefore, he ought to use every skill of a wise physician and send in . . . mature and wise brothers who . . . may support the wavering brother, urge him to be humble as a way of …
The Lord Is My Shepherd
The Lord Is My Shepherd Psalm 23 Even under the shadow of horror I will not fear evil For Christ is my companion. You let me lean on the staff that you hold steady You wield the weapon that beats off attackers You have brought food for the journey, and no enemy dares approach the …
Hold Your Peace
The ninth step of humility is that a monk controls his tongue and remains silent. . . . for Scripture warns, In a flood of words you will not avoid sinning (Proverbs 10:19). [Rule of St. Benedict 7.56-58] When you get to the point of being able to hold your tongue, you know that the …