rule of benedict, the rule of the ancient benedictine order

8/13/2019 Rule of Benedict, the Rule of the Ancient Benedictine Order

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The Holy Rule of St. Benedict

The 1949 Edition

Translated by Rev. Boniface Verheyen, OSB

of St. Benedict's Abbey, tchison, !ansas

Electronic te"t #$ith added scri%ture references&

%re%ared by Br. Boniface Butter$orth, OSB

'sed By (er)ission

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1:O the !inds or the "ie o #on$s

Chapter %:&hat !ind o #an the Abbot Ought to Be

Chapter :O Calling the Brethren or Counsel

Chapter (:The )nstru*ents o +ood &or$s

Chapter ,:O Obedience

Chapter -:O Silence

Chapter :O /u*ility

Chapter 0:O the i2ine Oice during the Night

Chapter 3:/o4 #any Psal*s Are to Be Said at the Night Oice

Chapter 15:/o4 the Oice )s to Be Said during the Su**er Season

Chapter 11:/o4 the Night Oice )s to Be Said on Sundays

Chapter 1%:/o4 "auds Are to Be Said

Chapter 1:/o4 "auds Are to Be Said on &ee$ ays

Chapter 1(:/o4 the Night Oice )s to Be Said on the 6easts o the Saints

Chapter 1,:At &hat Ti*es the Alleluia )s to Be Said

Chapter 1-:/o4 the &or$ o +od )s to Be Peror*ed during the ay

Chapter 1:/o4 #any Psal*s Are to Be Sung at These /ours

Chapter 10:)n &hat Order the Psal*s Are to Be Said

Chapter 13:O the #anner o 7eciting the Psalter

Chapter %5:O 7e2erence at Prayer

Chapter %1:O the eans o the #onastery

Chapter %%:/o4 the #on$s Are to Sleep

Chapter %:O E8co**unication or 6aults

Chapter %(:&hat the #anner o E8co**unication Should Be
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Chapter %,:O +ra2er 6aults

Chapter %-:O Those &ho 4ithout the Co**and o the Abbot Associate 4ith the

E8co**unicated

Chapter %:/o4 Concerned the Abbot Should Be about the E8co**unicated

Chapter %0:O Those &ho /a2ing Oten Been Corrected o Not A*end

Chapter %3:&hether Brethren &ho "ea2e the #onastery Ought to Be 7ecei2edAgain

Chapter 5:/o4 9oung Boys Are to Be Corrected

Chapter 1:The !ind o #an the Cellarer o the #onastery Ought to Be

Chapter %:O the Tools and +oods o the #onastery

Chapter :&hether #on$s Ought to /a2e Anything o Their O4n

Chapter (:&hether All Should 7ecei2e in Eual #easure &hat )s Necessary

Chapter ,:O the &ee$ly Ser2ers in the !itchen

Chapter -:O the Sic$ Brethren

Chapter :O the Aged and Children

Chapter 0:O the &ee$ly 7eader

Chapter 3:O the ;uantity o 6ood

Chapter (5:O the ;uantity o rin$

Chapter (1:At &hat Ti*es the Brethren Should Ta$e Their 7eection

Chapter (%:That No One Spea$ ater Co*plin

Chapter (:O Those &ho Are Tardy in Co*ing to the &or$ o +od or to Table

Chapter ((:O Those &ho Are E8co**unicated ery 6ar A4ay

Chapter ,%:O the Oratory o the #onastery

Chapter ,:O the 7eception o +uests

Chapter ,(:&hether a #on$ Should 7ecei2e "etters or Anything Else

Chapter ,,:O the Clothing and the 6ootgear o the Brethren

Chapter ,-:O the Abbot's Table

Chapter ,:O the Artists o the #onastery

Chapter ,0:O the #anner o Ad*itting Brethren

Chapter ,3:O the Children o the Noble and o the Poor &ho Are Oered

Chapter -5:O Priests &ho #ay &ish to "i2e in the #onastery

Chapter -1:/o4 Stranger #on$s Are to Be 7ecei2ed

Chapter -%:O the Priests o the #onastery

Chapter -:O the Order in the #onastery

Chapter -(:O the Election o the Abbot

Chapter -,:O the Prior o the #onastery
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Chapter --:O the Porter o the #onastery

Chapter -:O the Brethren &ho Are Sent on a =ourney

Chapter -0:) a Brother is Co**anded to o )*possible Things

Chapter -3:That in the #onastery No One Presu*e to eend Another

Chapter 5:That No One Presu*e to Stri$e Another

Chapter 1:That the Brethren be Obedient to One AnotherChapter %:O the >irtuous ?eal &hich the #on$s Ought to /a2e

Chapter :O This@ that Not the &hole Obser2ance o 7ighteousness is "aid o4n

in this 7ule

P7O"O+E

*isten, O )y son, to the %rece%ts of thy )aster, and incline the ear of thy

heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully e"ecute the ad)onitions of thy

lovin+ ather, that by the toil of obedience thou )ayest return to Hi) fro)

$ho) by the sloth of disobedience thou hast +one a$ay.

To thee, therefore, )y s%eech is no$ directed, $ho, +ivin+ u% thine o$n

$ill, ta-est u% the stron+ and )ost e"cellent ar)s of obedience, to do battle

for hrist the *ord, the true !in+.

/n the first %lace, be+ of Hi) by )ost earnest %rayer, that He %erfect

$hatever +ood thou dost be+in, in order that He $ho hath been %leased tocount us in the nu)ber of His children, need never be +rieved at our evil

deeds. or $e ou+ht at all ti)es so to serve Hi) $ith the +ood thin+s $hich

He hath +iven us, that He )ay not, li-e an an+ry father, disinherit his

children, nor, li-e a dread lord, enra+ed at our evil deeds, hand us over to

everlastin+ %unish)ent as )ost $ic-ed servants, $ho $ould not follo$ Hi)

to +lory.

*et us then rise at len+th, since the Scri%ture arouseth us, sayin+0 /t is no$

the hour for us to rise fro) slee% #Ro) 12011&3 and havin+ o%ened our eyes

to the deifyin+ li+ht, let us hear $ith a$estruc- ears $hat the divine voice,

cryin+ out daily, doth ad)onish us, sayin+0 Today, if you shall hear his

voice, harden not your hearts #(s 9495607&. nd a+ain0 He that hath ears

to hear let hi) hear $hat the S%irit saith to the churches #Rev 80&. nd

$hat doth He say: ;; o)e, children, hear-en unto )e, / $ill teach you the

fear of the *ord #(s 22246018&. Run $hilst you have the li+ht of life, that

the dar-ness of death overta-e you not #


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He %roclai)eth these $ords, saith a+ain0 =ho is the )an that desireth life

and loveth to see +ood days #(s 22246012&: /f hearin+ this thou ans$erest,

/ a) he, >od saith to thee0 /f thou $ilt have true and everlastin+ life,

-ee% thy ton+ue fro) evil, and thy li%s fro) s%ea-in+ +uile3 turn a$ay fro)

evil and do +ood3 see- after %eace and %ursue it #(s 22246014;15&. nd$hen you shall have done these thin+s, )y eyes shall be u%on you, and )y

ears unto your %rayers. nd before you shall call u%on )e / $ill say0

Behold, / a) here #/s 5709&.

=hat, dearest brethren, can be s$eeter to us than this voice of the *ord

invitin+ us: See, in His lovin+ -indness, the *ord sho$eth us the $ay of

life. Therefore, havin+ our loins +irt $ith faith and the %erfor)ance of +ood

$or-s, let us $al- His $ays under the +uidance of the >os%el, that $e )ay

be found $orthy of seein+ Hi) $ho hath called us to His -in+do) #cf 1

Thes 8018&.

/f $e desire to d$ell in the tabernacle of His -in+do), $e cannot reach it in

any $ay, unless $e run thither by +ood $or-s. But let us as- the *ord $ith

the (ro%het, sayin+ to Hi)0 *ord, $ho shall d$ell in Thy tabernacle, or

$ho shall rest in Thy holy hill #(s 1415601&:

fter this ?uestion, brethren, let us listen to the *ord ans$erin+ andsho$in+ us the $ay to this tabernacle, sayin+0 He that $al-eth $ithout

ble)ish and $or-eth @ustice3 he that s%ea-eth truth in his heart3 $ho hath

not used deceit in his ton+ue, nor hath done evil to his nei+hbor, nor hath

ta-en u% a re%roach a+ainst his nei+hbor #(s 1415608;2&, $ho hath brou+ht

to nau+ht the foul de)on te)%tin+ hi), castin+ hi) out of his heart $ith his

te)%tation, and hath ta-en his evil thou+hts $hilst they $ere yet $ea- and

hath dashed the) a+ainst hrist #cf (s 14156043 (s 12A12609&3 $ho

fearin+ the *ord are not %uffed u% by their +oodness of life, but holdin+ that

the actual +ood $hich is in the) cannot be done by the)selves, but by the

*ord, they %raise the *ord $or-in+ in the) #cf (s 1415604&, sayin+ $ith the

(ro%het0 ot to us, O *ord, not to us3 by to Thy na)e +ive +lory #(s

11211501609&. Thus also the %ostle (aul hath not ta-en to hi)self any

credit for his %reachin+, sayin+0 By the +race of >od, / a) $hat / a) #1

or 1501C&. nd a+ain he saith0 He that +lorieth, let hi) +lory in the *ord

#8 or 1C01&.

Hence, the *ord also saith in the >os%el0 He that heareth these )y $ords


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and doeth the), shall be li-ened to a $ise )an $ho built his house u%on a

roc-3 the floods ca)e, the $inds ble$, and they beat u%on that house, and it

fell not, for it $as founded on a roc- #Dt 084;85&. The *ord fulfillin+

these $ords $aiteth for us fro) day to day, that $e res%ond to His holy

ad)onitions by our $or-s. Therefore, our days are len+thened to a truce forthe a)end)ent of the )isdeeds of our %resent life3 as the %ostle saith0

!no$est thou not that the %atience of >od leadeth thee to %enance #Ro)

804&: or the +ood *ord saith0 / $ill not the death of the sinner, but that he

be converted and live #Ee- 22011&.

o$, brethren, that $e have as-ed the *ord $ho it is that shall d$ell in His

tabernacle, $e have heard the conditions for d$ellin+ there3 and if $e fulfil

the duties of tenants, $e shall be heirs of the -in+do) of heaven. Our hearts

and our bodies )ust, therefore, be ready to do battle under the biddin+s of

holy obedience3 and let us as- the *ord that He su%%ly by the hel% of His

+race $hat is i)%ossible to us by nature. nd if, flyin+ fro) the %ains of

hell, $e desire to reach life everlastin+, then, $hile there is yet ti)e, and $e

are still in the flesh, and are able durin+ the %resent life to fulfil all these

thin+s, $e )ust )a-e haste to do no$ $hat $ill %rofit us forever.

=e are, therefore, about to found a school of the *ordFs service, in $hich $e

ho%e to introduce nothin+ harsh or burdenso)e. But even if, to correct vices

or to %reserve charity, sound reason dictateth anythin+ that turneth out

so)e$hat strin+ent, do not at once fly in dis)ay fro) the $ay of salvation,

the be+innin+ of $hich cannot but be narro$. But as $e advance in the

reli+ious life and faith, $e shall run the $ay of >odFs co))and)ents $ith

e"%anded hearts and uns%ea-able s$eetness of love3 so that never de%artin+

fro) His +uidance and %erseverin+ in the )onastery in His doctrine till

death, $e )ay by %atience share in the sufferin+s of hrist, and be found

$orthy to be coheirs $ith Hi) of His -in+do).

C/APTE7 )

Of the Kinds or the Life of Monks

/t is $ell -no$n that there are four -inds of )on-s. The first -ind is that of

enobites, that is, the )onastic, $ho live under a rule and an bbot.

The second -ind is that of nchorites, or Her)its, that is, of those $ho, no

lon+er in the first fervor of their conversion, but tau+ht by lon+ )onastic

%ractice and the hel% of )any brethren, have already learned to fi+ht a+ainst


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the devil3 and +oin+ forth fro) the ran- of their brethren $ell trained for

sin+le co)bat in the desert, they are able, $ith the hel% of >od, to co%e

sin+le;handed $ithout the hel% of others, a+ainst the vices of the flesh and

evil thou+hts.

But a third and )ost vile class of )on-s is that of Sarabaites, $ho have

been tried by no rule under the hand of a )aster, as +old is tried in the fire

#cf (rov 8081&3 but, soft as lead, and still -ee%in+ faith $ith the $orld by

their $or-s, they are -no$n to belie >od by their tonsure. *ivin+ in t$oFs

and threeFs, or even sin+ly, $ithout a she%herd, enclosed, not in the *ordFs

shee%fold, but in their o$n, the +ratification of their desires is la$ unto

the)3 because $hat they choose to do they call holy, but $hat they disli-e

they hold to be unla$ful.

But the fourth class of )on-s is that called *andlo%ers, $ho -ee% +oin+

their $hole life lon+ fro) one %rovince to another, stayin+ three or four

days at a ti)e in different cells as +uests. l$ays rovin+ and never settled,

they indul+e their %assions and the cravin+s of their a%%etite, and are in

every $ay $orse than the Sarabaites. /t is better to %ass all these over in

silence than to s%ea- of their )ost $retched life.

Therefore, %assin+ these over, let us +o on $ith the hel% of >od to lay do$na rule for that )ost valiant -ind of )on-s, the enobites.

C/APTE7 ))

What Kind of Man the Abbot Ought to Be

The bbot $ho is $orthy to be over a )onastery, ou+ht al$ays to be

)indful of $hat he is called, and )a-e his $or-s s?uare $ith his na)e of

Su%erior. or he is believed to hold the %lace of hrist in the )onastery,

$hen he is called by his na)e, accordin+ to the sayin+ of the %ostle0 Gouhave received the s%irit of ado%tion of sons, $hereby $e cryAbba#ather&

#Ro) 7015&. Therefore, the bbot should never teach, %rescribe, or

co))and #$hich >od forbid& anythin+ contrary to the la$s of the *ord3 but

his co))ands and teachin+ should be instilled li-e a leaven of divine @ustice

into the )inds of his disci%les.

*et the bbot al$ays bear in )ind that he )ust +ive an account in the dread

@ud+)ent of >od of both his o$n teachin+ and of the obedience of hisdisci%les. nd let the bbot -no$ that $hatever lac- of %rofit the )aster of

the house shall find in the shee%, $ill be laid to the bla)e of the she%herd.


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)in+lin+ +entleness $ith severity, as the occasion )ay call for, let hi)

sho$ the severity of the )aster and the lovin+ affection of a father. He )ust

sternly rebu-e the undisci%lined and restless3 but he )ust e"hort the

obedient, )ee-, and %atient to advance in virtue. But $e char+e hi) to

rebu-e and %unish the ne+li+ent and hau+hty. *et hi) not shut his eyes tothe sins of evil;doers3 but on their first a%%earance let hi) do his ut)ost to

cut the) out fro) the root at once, )indful of the fate of Heli, the %riest of

Silo #cf 1 Sa) 8011;4017&. The $ell;dis%osed and those of +ood

understandin+, let hi) correct at the first and second ad)onition only $ith

$ords3 but let hi) chastise the $ic-ed and the hard of heart, and the %roud

and disobedient at the very first offense $ith stri%es and other bodily

%unish)ents, -no$in+ that it is $ritten0 The fool is not corrected $ith

$ords #(rov 89019&. nd a+ain0 Stri-e thy son $ith the rod, and thou shalt

deliver his soul fro) death #(rov 82014&.

The bbot ou+ht al$ays to re)e)ber $hat he is and $hat he is called, and

to -no$ that to $ho) )uch hath been entrusted, fro) hi) )uch $ill be

re?uired3 and let hi) understand $hat a difficult and arduous tas- he

assu)eth in +overnin+ souls and acco))odatin+ hi)self to a variety of

characters. *et hi) so ad@ust and ada%t hi)self to everyone ;; to one

+entleness of s%eech, to another by re%roofs, and to still another by

entreaties, to each one accordin+ to his bent and understandin+ ;; that he not

only suffer no loss in his floc-, but )ay re@oice in the increase of a $orthy

fold.

bove all thin+s, that the bbot )ay not ne+lect or undervalue the $elfare

of the souls entrusted to hi), let hi) not have too +reat a concern about

fleetin+, earthly, %erishable thin+s3 but let hi) al$ays consider that he hath

underta-en the +overn)ent of souls, of $hich he )ust +ive an account. nd

that he )ay not %erha%s co)%lain of the $ant of earthly )eans, let hi)

re)e)ber $hat is $ritten0 See- ye first the -in+do) of >od and His

@ustice, and all these thin+s shall be added unto you #Dt A022&. nd a+ain0

There is no $ant to the) that fear Hi) #(s 2224601C&. nd let hi) -no$

that he $ho underta-eth the +overn)ent of souls )ust %re%are hi)self to

+ive an account for the)3 and $hatever the nu)ber of brethren he hath

under his char+e, let hi) be sure that on @ud+)ent day he $ill, $ithout

doubt, have to +ive an account to the *ord for all these souls, in addition to

that of his o$n. nd thus, $hilst he is in constant fear of the She%herdFs


9/53

future e"a)ination about the shee% entrusted to hi), and is $atchful of his

account for others, he is )ade solicitous also on his o$n account3 and $hilst

by his ad)onitions he had ad)inistered correction to others, he is freed

fro) his o$n failin+s.

C/APTE7 )))

Of Calling the Brethren for Counsel

=henever $ei+hty )atters are to be transacted in the )onastery, let the

bbot call to+ether the $hole co))unity, and )a-e -no$n the )atter

$hich is to be considered. Havin+ heard the brethrenFs vie$s, let hi) $ei+h

the )atter $ith hi)self and do $hat he thin-eth best. /t is for this reason,

ho$ever, $e said that all should be called for counsel, because the *ord

often revealeth to the youn+er $hat is best. *et the brethren, ho$ever, +ivetheir advice $ith hu)ble sub)ission, and let the) not %resu)e stubbornly

to defend $hat see)eth ri+ht to the), for it )ust de%end rather on the

bbotFs $ill, so that all obey hi) in $hat he considereth best. But as it

beco)eth disci%les to obey their )aster, so also it beco)eth the )aster to

dis%ose all thin+s $ith %rudence and @ustice. Therefore, let all follo$ the

Rule as their +uide in everythin+, and let no one rashly de%art fro) it.

*et no one in the )onastery follo$ the bent of his o$n heart, and let no onedare to dis%ute insolently $ith his bbot, either inside or outside the

)onastery. /f any one dare to do so, let hi) be %laced under the correction

of the Rule. *et the bbot hi)self, ho$ever, do everythin+ in the fear of the

*ord and out of reverence for the Rule, -no$in+ that, beyond a doubt, he

$ill have to +ive an account to >od, the )ost @ust

The Instruments of Good Works

#1& /n the first %lace to love the *ord >od $ith the $hole heart, the $hole

soul, the $hole stren+th...

#8& Then, oneFs nei+hbor as oneFs self #cf Dt 8802;293 D- 1802C;213 *-

1C08&.

#2& Then, not to -ill...


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#4& ot to co))it adultery...

#5& ot to steal...

#A& ot to covet #cf Ro) 1209&.

#& ot to bear false $itness #cf Dt 190173 D- 1C0193 *- 1708C&.

#7& To honor all )en #cf 1 (t 801&.#9& nd $hat one $ould not have done to hi)self, not to do to another #cf

Tob 401A3 Dt 0183 *- A021&.

#1C& To deny oneFs self in order to follo$ hrist #cf Dt 1A0843 *- 9082&.

#11& To chastise the body #cf 1 or 908&.

#18& ot to see- after %leasures.

#12& To love fastin+.

#14& To relieve the %oor.

#15& To clothe the na-ed...

#1A& To visit the sic- #cf Dt 8502A&.

#1& To bury the dead.

#17& To hel% in trouble.

#19& To console the sorro$in+.

#8C& To hold oneFs self aloof fro) $orldly $ays.

#81& To %refer nothin+ to the love of hrist.

#88& ot to +ive $ay to an+er.#82& ot to foster a desire for reven+e.

#84& ot to entertain deceit in the heart.

#85& ot to )a-e a false %eace.

#8A& ot to forsa-e charity.

#8& ot to s$ear, lest %erchance one s$ear falsely.

#87& To s%ea- the truth $ith heart and ton+ue.

#89& ot to return evil for evil #cf 1 Thes 50153 1 (t 209&.

#2C& To do no in@ury, yea, even %atiently to bear the in@ury done us.

#21& To love oneFs ene)ies #cf Dt 50443 *- A08&.

#28& ot to curse the) that curse us, but rather to bless the).

#22& To bear %ersecution for @ustice sa-e #cf Dt 501C&.

#24& ot to be %roud...

#25& ot to be +iven to $ine #cf Ti 103 1 T) 202&.

#2A& ot to be a +reat eater.

#2& ot to be dro$sy.

#27& ot to be slothful #cf Ro) 18011&.


11/53

#29& ot to be a )ur)urer.

#4C& ot to be a detractor.

#41& To %ut oneFs trust in >od.

#48& To refer $hat +ood one sees in hi)self, not to self, but to >od.

#42& But as to any evil in hi)self, let hi) be convinced that it is his o$n andchar+e it to hi)self.

#44& To fear the day of @ud+)ent.

#45& To be in dread of hell.

#4A& To desire eternal life $ith all s%iritual lon+in+.

#4& To -ee% death before oneFs eyes daily.

#47& To -ee% a constant $atch over the actions of our life.

#49& To hold as certain that >od sees us every$here.

#5C& To dash at once a+ainst hrist the evil thou+hts $hich rise in oneFs

heart.

#51& nd to disclose the) to our s%iritual father.

#58& To +uard oneFs ton+ue a+ainst bad and $ic-ed s%eech.

#52& ot to love )uch s%ea-in+.

#54& ot to s%ea- useless $ords and such as %rovo-e lau+hter.

#55& ot to love )uch or boisterous lau+hter.

#5A& To listen $illin+ly to holy readin+.#5& To a%%ly oneFs self often to %rayer.

#57& To confess oneFs %ast sins to >od daily in %rayer $ith si+hs and tears,

and to a)end the) for the future.

#59& ot to fulfil the desires of the flesh #cf >al 501A&.

#AC& To hate oneFs o$n $ill.

#A1& To obey the co))ands of the bbot in all thin+s, even thou+h he

hi)self #$hich Heaven forbid& act other$ise, )indful of that %rece%t of the

*ord0 =hat they say, do ye3 $hat they do, do ye not #Dt 8202&.

#A8& ot to desire to be called holy before one is3 but to be holy first, that

one )ay be truly so called.

#A2& To fulfil daily the co))and)ents of >od by $or-s.

#A4& To love chastity.

#A5& To hate no one.

#AA& ot to be @ealous3 not to entertain envy.

#A& ot to love strife.

#A7& ot to love %ride.


12/53

#A9& To honor the a+ed.

#C& To love the youn+er.

#1& To %ray for oneFs ene)ies in the love of hrist.

#8& To )a-e %eace $ith an adversary before the settin+ of the sun.

#2& nd never to des%air of >odFs )ercy.

Behold, these are the instru)ents of the s%iritual art, $hich, if they have

been a%%lied $ithout ceasin+ day and ni+ht and a%%roved on @ud+)ent day,

$ill )erit for us fro) the *ord that re$ard $hich He hath %ro)ised0 The

eye hath not seen, nor the ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of

)an, $hat thin+s >od hath %re%ared for the) that love Hi) #1 or 809&.

But the $or-sho% in $hich $e %erfor) all these $or-s $ith dili+ence is the

enclosure of the )onastery, and stability in the co))unity.

C/APTE7 >

Of Obedience

The first de+ree of hu)ility is obedience $ithout delay. This beco)eth

those $ho, on account of the holy sub@ection $hich they have %ro)ised, or

of the fear of hell, or the +lory of life everlastin+, hold nothin+ dearer than

hrist. s soon as anythin+ hath been co))anded by the Su%erior they

%er)it no delay in the e"ecution, as if the )atter had been co))anded by>od Hi)self. Of these the *ord saith0 t the hearin+ of the ear he hath

obeyed De #(s 1176045&. nd a+ain He saith to the teachers0 He that

heareth you heareth De #*- 1C01A&.

Such as these, therefore, instantly ?uittin+ their o$n $or- and +ivin+ u%

their o$n $ill, $ith hands disen+a+ed, and leavin+ unfinished $hat they

$ere doin+, follo$ u%, $ith the ready ste% of obedience, the $or- of

co))and $ith deeds3 and thus, as if in the sa)e )o)ent, both )atters ;;

the )asterFs co))and and the disci%leFs finished $or- ;; are, in the

s$iftness of the fear of >od, s%eedily finished to+ether, $hereunto the

desire of advancin+ to eternal life ur+eth the). They, therefore, seie u%on

the narro$ $ay $hereof the *ord saith0 arro$ is the $ay $hich leadeth to

life #Dt 014&, so that, not livin+ accordin+ to their o$n desires and

%leasures but $al-in+ accordin+ to the @ud+)ent and $ill of another, they

live in )onasteries, and desire an bbot to be over the). Such as these truly

live u% to the )a"i) of the *ord in $hich He saith0 / ca)e not to do Dy

o$n $ill, but the $ill of Hi) that sent De #


13/53

This obedience, ho$ever, $ill be acce%table to >od and a+reeable to )en

then only, if $hat is co))anded is done $ithout hesitation, delay,

lu-e$ar)ness, +ru)blin+ or co)%laint, because the obedience $hich is

rendered to Su%eriors is rendered to >od. or He Hi)self hath said0 He

that heareth you heareth De #*- 1C01A&. nd it )ust be rendered by thedisci%les $ith a +ood $ill, for the *ord loveth a cheerful +iver #8 or 90&.

or if the disci%le obeyeth $ith an ill $ill, and )ur)ureth, not only $ith

li%s but also in his heart, even thou+h he fulfil the co))and, yet it $ill not

be acce%table to >od, $ho re+ardeth the heart of the )ur)urer. nd for

such an action he ac?uireth no re$ard3 rather he incurreth the %enalty of

)ur)urers, unless he )a-eth satisfactory a)end)ent.

C/APTE7 >)

Of Silence

*et us do $hat the (ro%het saith0 / said, / $ill ta-e heed of )y $ays, that /

sin not $ith )y ton+ue0 / have set a +uard to )y )outh, / $as du)b, and

$as hu)bled, and -e%t silence even fro) +ood thin+s #(s 2729608;2&.

Here the %ro%het sho$eth that, if at ti)es $e ou+ht to refrain fro) useful

s%eech for the sa-e of silence, ho$ )uch )ore ou+ht $e to abstain fro)

evil $ords on account of the %unish)ent due to sin.

Therefore, because of the i)%ortance of silence, let %er)ission to s%ea- be

seldo) +iven to %erfect disci%les even for +ood and holy and edifyin+

discourse, for it is $ritten0 /n )uch tal- thou shalt not esca%e sin #(rov

1C019&. nd else$here0 eath and life are in the %o$er of the ton+ue

#(rov 17081&. or it belon+eth to the )aster to s%ea- and to teach3 it

beco)eth the disci%le to be silent and to listen. /f, therefore, anythin+ )ust

be as-ed of the Su%erior, let it be as-ed $ith all hu)ility and res%ectful

sub)ission. But coarse @ests, and idle $ords or s%eech %rovo-in+ lau+hter,

$e conde)n every$here to eternal e"clusion3 and for such s%eech $e do

not %er)it the disci%le to o%en his li%s.

C/APTE7 >))

Of umilit!

Brethren, the Holy Scri%ture crieth to us sayin+0 Every one that e"alteth

hi)self shall be hu)bled3 and he that hu)bleth hi)self shall be e"alted

#*- 140113 17014&. Since, therefore, it saith this, it sho$eth us that every

e"altation is a -ind of %ride. The (ro%het declareth that he +uardeth hi)self


14/53

a+ainst this, sayin+0 *ord, )y heart is not %uffed u%3 nor are )y eyes

hau+hty. either have / $al-ed in +reat )atters nor in $onderful thin+s

above )e #(s 12C121601&. =hat then: /f / $as not hu)bly )inded, but

e"alted )y soul3 as a child that is $eaned is to$ards his )other so shalt

Thou re$ard )y soul #(s 12C121608&.

Hence, brethren, if $e $ish to reach the +reatest hei+ht of hu)ility, and

s%eedily to arrive at that heavenly e"altation to $hich ascent is )ade in the

%resent life by hu)ility, then, )ountin+ by our actions, $e )ust erect the

ladder $hich a%%eared to en 87018&. =ithout a

doubt, $e understand this ascendin+ and descendin+ to be nothin+ else but

that $e descend by %ride and ascend by hu)ility. The erected ladder,

ho$ever, is our life in the %resent $orld, $hich, if the heart is hu)ble, is by

the *ord lifted u% to heaven. or $e say that our body and our soul are the

t$o sides of this ladder3 and into these sides the divine callin+ hath inserted

various de+rees of hu)ility or disci%line $hich $e )ust )ount.

The first de+ree of hu)ility, then, is that a )an al$ays have the fear of >od

before his eyes #cf (s 252A608&, shunnin+ all for+etfulness and that he be

ever )indful of all that >od hath co))anded, that he al$ays considereth in

his )ind ho$ those $ho des%ise >od $ill burn in hell for their sins, and that

life everlastin+ is %re%ared for those $ho fear >od. nd $hilst he +uardeth

hi)self ever)ore a+ainst sin and vices of thou+ht, $ord, deed, and self;$ill,

let hi) also hasten to cut off the desires of the flesh.

*et a )an consider that >od al$ays seeth hi) fro) Heaven, that the eye of

>od beholdeth his $or-s every$here, and that the an+els re%ort the) to

Hi) every hour. The (ro%het telleth us this $hen he sho$eth >od thus ever

%resent in our thou+hts, sayin+0 The searcher of hearts and reins is >od

#(s 01C&. nd a+ain0 The *ord -no$eth the thou+hts of )en #(s

92946011& nd he saith0 Thou hast understood )y thou+hts afar off #(s

127129602&. nd0 The thou+hts of )an shall +ive %raise to Thee #(s

5A6011&. Therefore, in order that he )ay al$ays be on his +uard a+ainst

evil thou+hts, let the hu)ble brother al$ays say in his heart0 Then / shall

be s%otless before Hi), if / shall -ee% )yself fro) ini?uity #(s 1176084&.

=e are thus forbidden to do our o$n $ill, since the Scri%ture saith to us0

nd turn a$ay fro) thy evil $ill #Sir 1702C&. nd thus, too, $e as- >od


15/53

in %rayer that His $ill )ay be done in us #cf Dt A01C&. =e are, therefore,

ri+htly tau+ht not to do our o$n $ill, $hen $e +uard a+ainst $hat Scri%ture

saith0 There are $ays that to )en see) ri+ht, the end $hereof %lun+eth into

the de%ths of hell #(rov 1A085&. nd also $hen $e are filled $ith dread at

$hat is said of the ne+li+ent0 They are corru%ted and beco)e abo)inablein their %leasure #(s 1214601&. But as re+ards desires of the flesh, let us

believe that >od is thus ever %resent to us, since the (ro%het saith to the

*ord0 Before Thee is all )y desire #(s 227601C&.

=e )ust, therefore, +uard thus a+ainst evil desires, because death hath his

station near the entrance of %leasure. =hence the Scri%ture co))andeth,

sayin+0 >o no after thy lusts #Sir 1702C&. /f, therefore, the eyes of the *ord

observe the +ood and the bad #cf (rov 1502& and the *ord al$ays loo-eth

do$n fro) heaven on the children of )en, to see $hether there be anyone

that understandeth or see-eth >od #cf (s 1214608&3 and if our actions are

re%orted to the *ord day and ni+ht by the an+els $ho are a%%ointed to $atch

over us daily, $e )ust ever be on our +uard, brethren, as the (ro%het saith

in the %sal), that >od )ay at no ti)e see us +one aside to evil and beco)e

un%rofitable #(s 1214602&, and havin+ s%ared us in the %resent ti)e,

because He is -ind and $aiteth for us to be chan+ed for the better, say to us

in the future0 These thin+s thou hast done and / $as silent #(s 495C6081&.

The second de+ree of hu)ility is, $hen a )an loveth not his o$n $ill, nor is

%leased to fulfill his o$n desires but by his deeds carrieth our that $ord of

the *ord $hich saith0 / ca)e not to do Dy o$n $ill but the $ill of Hi)

that sent De #od a )an sub@ect

hi)self to a Su%erior in all obedience, i)itatin+ the *ord, of $ho) the

%ostle saith0 He beca)e obedient unto death #(hil 807&.

The fourth de+ree of hu)ility is, that, if hard and distasteful thin+s are

co))anded, nay, even thou+h in@uries are inflicted, he acce%t the) $ith

%atience and even te)%er, and not +ro$ $eary or +ive u%, but hold out, as

the Scri%ture saith0 He that shall %ersevere unto the end shall be saved #Dt

1C088&. nd a+ain0 *et thy heart ta-e coura+e, and $ait thou for the *ord

#(s 8A86014&. nd sho$in+ that a faithful )an ou+ht even to bear every

disa+reeable thin+ for the *ord, it saith in the %erson of the sufferin+0 or


16/53

Thy sa-e $e suffer death all the day lon+3 $e are counted as shee% for the

slau+hter #Ro) 702A3 (s 42446088&. nd secure in the ho%e of the divine

re$ard, they +o on @oyfully, sayin+0 But in all these thin+s $e overco)e

because of Hi) that hath loved us #Ro) 702&. nd li-e$ise in another

%lace the Scri%ture saith0 Thou, O >od, hast %roved us3 Thou hast tried usby fire as silver is tried3 Thou hast brou+ht us into a net, Thou hast laid

afflictions on our bac- #(s A5AA601C;11&. nd to sho$ us that $e ou+ht to

be under a Su%erior, it continueth, sayin+0 Thou hast set )en over our

heads #(s A5AA6018&. nd fulfillin+ the co))and of the *ord by %atience

also in adversities and in@uries, $hen struc- on the one chee- they turn also

the other3 the des%oiler of their coat they +ive their cloa- also3 and $hen

forced to +o one )ile they +o t$o #cf Dt 5029;41&3 $ith the %ostle (aul

they bear $ith false brethren and bless those $ho curse the) #8 or

1108A3 1 or 4018&.

The fifth de+ree of hu)ility is, $hen one hideth fro) his bbot none of the

evil thou+hts $hich rise in his heart or the evils co))itted by hi) in secret,

but hu)bly confesseth the). oncernin+ this the Scri%ture e"horts us,

sayin+0 Reveal thy $ay to the *ord and trust in Hi) #(s 2A2605&. nd it

saith further0 onfess to the *ord, for He is +ood, for His )ercy endureth

forever #(s 1C51CA6013 (s 11117601&. nd the (ro%het li-e$ise saith0 /

have ac-no$led+ed )y sin to Thee and )y in@ustice / have not concealed. /

said / $ill confess a+ainst )yself )y in@ustice to the *ord3 and Thou hast

for+iven the $ic-edness of )y sins #(s 2128605&.

The si"th de+ree of hu)ility is, $hen a )on- is content $ith the )eanest

and $orst of everythin+, and in all that is en@oined hi) holdeth hi)self as a

bad and $orthless $or-)an, sayin+ $ith the (ro%het0 / a) brou+ht to

nothin+ and / -ne$ it not3 / a) beco)e as a beast before Thee, and / a)

al$ays $ith Thee #(s 826088;82&.

The seventh de+ree of hu)ility is, $hen, not only $ith his ton+ue he

declareth, but also in his in)ost soul believeth, that he is the lo$est and

vilest of )en, hu)blin+ hi)self and sayin+ $ith the (ro%het0 But / a) a

$or) and no )an, the re%roach of )en and the outcast of the %eo%le #(s

818860&. / have been e"alted and hu)bled and confounded #(s

777601A&. nd also0 /t is +ood for )e that Thou hast hu)bled )e, that /)ay learn Thy co))and)ents #(s 117119601,2&.


17/53

The ei+hth de+ree of hu)ility is, $hen a )on- doeth nothin+ but $hat is

sanctioned by the co))on rule of the )onastery and the e"a)%le of his

elders.

The ninth de+ree of hu)ility is, $hen a )on- $ithholdeth his ton+ue fro)

s%ea-in+, and -ee%in+ silence doth not s%ea- until he is as-ed3 for the

Scri%ture sho$eth that in a )ultitude of $ords there shall not $ant sin

#(rov 1C019&3 and that a )an full of ton+ue is not established in the earth

#(s 12914C6018&.

The tenth de+ree of hu)ility is, $hen a )on- is not easily )oved and ?uic-

for lau+hter, for it is $ritten0 The fool e"alteth his voice in lau+hter #Sir

81082&.

The eleventh de+ree of hu)ility is, that, $hen a )on- s%ea-eth, he s%ea-

+ently and $ithout lau+hter, hu)bly and $ith +ravity, $ith fe$ and sensible

$ords, and that he be not loud of voice, as it is $ritten0 The $ise )an is

-no$n by the fe$ness of his $ords.

The t$elfth de+ree of hu)ility is, $hen a )on- is not only hu)ble of heart,

but al$ays letteth it a%%ear also in his $hole e"terior to all that see hi)3

na)ely, at the =or- of >od, in the +arden, on a @ourney, in the field, or

$herever he )ay be, sittin+, $al-in+, or standin+, let hi) al$ays have his

head bo$ed do$n, his eyes fi"ed on the +round, ever holdin+ hi)self +uilty

of his sins, thin-in+ that he is already standin+ before the dread @ud+)ent

seat of >od, and al$ays sayin+ to hi)self in his heart $hat the %ublican in

the >os%el said, $ith his eyes fi"ed on the +round0 *ord, / a) a sinner and

not $orthy to lift u% )ine eyes to heaven #*- 17012&3 and a+ain $ith the

(ro%het0 / a) bo$ed do$n and hu)bled e"ceedin+ly #(s 22760;93 (s

117119601C&.

Havin+, therefore, ascended all these de+rees of hu)ility, the )on- $ill

%resently arrive at that love of >od, $hich bein+ %erfect, casteth out fear #1

)))


18/53

Of the "i#ine Office during the $ight

Da-in+ due allo$ance for circu)stances, the brethren $ill rise durin+ the

$inter season, that is, fro) the calends of ove)ber till Easter, at the ei+hth

hour of the ni+ht3 so that, havin+ rested till a little after )idni+ht, they )ay

rise refreshed. The ti)e, ho$ever, $hich re)ains over after the ni+ht office

#Datins& $ill be e)%loyed in study by those of the brethren $ho still have

so)e %arts of the %sal)s and the lessons to learn.

But fro) Easter to the aforesaid calends, let the hour for celebratin+ the

ni+ht office #Datins& be so arran+ed, that after a very short interval, durin+

$hich the brethren )ay +o out for the necessities of nature, the )ornin+

office #*auds&, $hich is to be said at the brea- of day, )ay follo$ %resently.

C/APTE7 )

o% Man! &salms Are to Be Said at the $ight Office

urin+ the $inter season, havin+ in the first %lace said the verse0 "eus' in

ad(utorium meum intende) "omine' ad ad(u#andum me festina, there is ne"t

to be said three ti)es,"omine' labia mea a*eries' et os meum annuntiabit

laudem tuam#(s 5C51601&. To this the third %sal) and the Gloriaare to be

added. fter this the 94th %sal) $ith its anti%hon is to be said or chanted.

Hereu%on let a hy)n follo$, and after that si" %sal)s $ith anti%hons. =hen

these and the verse have been said, let the bbot +ive the blessin+. ll bein+

seated on the benches, let three lessons be read alternately by the brethren

fro) the boo- on the readin+ stand, bet$een $hich let three res%onsories be

said. *et t$o of the res%onsories be said $ithout the Gloria, but after the

third lesson, let hi) $ho is chantin+ say the Gloria. =hen the cantor

be+inneth to sin+ it, let all rise at once fro) their seats in honor and

reverence of the Blessed Trinity.

*et the ins%ired boo-s of both the Old and the e$ Testa)ents be read at

the ni+ht offices, as also the e"%ositions of the) $hich have been )ade by

the )ost e)inent orthodo" and atholic athers.

fter these three lessons $ith their res%onsories, let si" other %sal)s follo$,

to be sun+ $ithAlleluia. fter these let the lessons fro) the %ostle follo$,

to be said by heart, then the verse, the invocation of the litany, that is, K!rie

eleison. nd thus let the ni+ht office co)e to an end.

C/APTE7


19/53


20/53

t *auds on Sunday, let the AAth %sal) be said first si)%ly, $ithout an

anti%hon. fter that let the 5Cth %sal) be said $ithAlleluia3 after this let the

11th and the A8d be said3 then the blessin+ and the %raises, one lesson fro)

the %ocaly%se, said by heart, a res%onsory, the )brosian hy)n, the verse

and the canticle fro) the >os%el, the litany, and it is finished.

C/APTE7 )))

o% Lauds Are to Be Said on Week "a!s

On $ee- days let *auds be celebrated in the follo$in+ )anner, to $it0 *et

the AAth %sal) be said $ithout an anti%hon, dra$in+ it out a little as on

Sunday, that all )ay arriver for the 5Cth, $hich is to be said $ith an

anti%hon. fter this let t$o other %sal)s be said accordin+ to custo)3

na)ely, the 5th and the 25th on the second day, the 48d and the 5Ath on thethird day, the A2rd and the A4th on the fourth day, the 7th and the 79th on

the fifth day, the 5th and the 91st on the si"th day, and on Saturday the

148d and the canticle of euterono)y, $hich should be divided into t$o

Glorias. On the other days, ho$ever, let the canticle fro) the (ro%hets, each

for its %ro%er day, be said as the Ro)an hurch sin+eth it. fter these let the

%sal)s of %raise follo$3 then one lesson fro) the %ostle, to be said fro)

)e)ory, the res%onsory, the )brosian hy)n, the verse, the canticle fro)

the >os%el, the litany, and it is finished.

O$in+ to the sandals $hich are $ont to s%rin+ u%, the )ornin+ and the

evenin+ office should, %lainly, never end unless the *ordFs (rayer is said in

the hearin+ of all by the Su%erior in its %lace at the end3 so that in virtue of

the %ro)ise $hich the brethren )a-e $hen they say, or+ive us as $e

for+ive #Dt A018&, they )ay cleanse the)selves of failin+s of this -ind.

t the other hours $hich are to be said, ho$ever, let only the last %art of this

%rayer be said aloud, so that all )ay ans$er, But deliver us fro) evil #Dt

A012&.

C/APTE7 )>

o% the $ight Office Is to Be Said on the +easts of the Saints

On the feasts of the saints and on all sole)n festivals let the ni+ht office be

%erfor)ed as $e said it should be done on Sunday3 e"ce%t that the %sal)s,

the anti%hons, and the lessons %ro%er for that day be said3 but let the nu)berabove )entioned be )aintained.


21/53

C/APTE7 >

At What Times the Alleluia Is to Be Said

ro) holy Easter until (entecost let theAlleluiabe said $ithout

inter)ission, both $ith the %sal)s and $ith the res%onsories3 but fro)

(entecost until the be+innin+ of *ent let it be said every ni+ht at the

nocturns $ith the si" latter %sal)s only. Ho$ever, on all Sundays outside of

*ent, let the canticles, *auds, (ri)e, Tierce, Se"t, and one be said $ith

Alleluia. *et Ves%ers, ho$ever, be said $ith the anti%hon3 but let the

res%onsories never be said $ithAlleluia, e"ce%t fro) Easter to (entecost.

C/APTE7 >)

o% the Work of God Is to Be &erformed during the "a!

s the (ro%het saith0 Seven ti)es a day / have +iven %raise to Thee #(s

117119601A4&, this sacred sevenfold nu)ber $ill be fulfilled by us in this

$ise if $e %erfor) the duties of our service at the ti)e of *auds, (ri)e,

Tierce, Se"t, one, Ves%ers, and o)%lin3 because it $as of these day

hours that he hath said0 Seven ti)es a day / have +iven %raise to Thee #(s

117119601A4&. or the sa)e (ro%het saith of the ni+ht $atches0 t

)idni+ht / arose to confess to Thee #(s 11711960A8&. t these ti)es,

therefore, let us offer %raise to our reator for the @ud+)ents of His@ustice3 na)ely, at *auds, (ri)e, Tierce, Se"t, one, Ves%ers, and

o)%lin3 and let us rise at ni+ht to %raise Hi) #cf (s 117119601A4, A8&.

C/APTE7 >))

o% Man! &salms Are to Be Sung at These ours

=e have no$ arran+ed the order of the %sal)ody for the ni+ht and the

)ornin+ office3 let us ne"t arran+e for the succeedin+ Hours. t the first

Hour let three %sal)s be said se%arately, and not under one Gloria. *et thehy)n for the sa)e Hour be said after the verse"eus' in ad(utorium#(s

A9C608&, before the %sal)s are be+un. Then, after the co)%letion of three

%sal)s, let one lesson be said, a verse, theK!rie eleison, and the collects.

t the third, the si"th, and the ninth Hours, the %rayer $ill be said in the

sa)e order3 na)ely, the verse, the hy)n %ro%er to each Hour, the three

%sal)s, the lesson, the verse, theK!rie eleison, and the collects. /f the

brotherhood is lar+e, let these Hours be sun+ $ith anti%hons3 but if s)all, letthe) be said $ithout a brea-.


22/53

*et the office of Ves%ers be ended $ith four %sal)s and anti%hons3 after

these %sal)s a lesson is to be recited, ne"t a res%onsory, the )brosian

hy)n, a verse, the canticle fro) the >os%el, the litany, the *ordFs (rayer,

and the collects.

*et o)%lin end $ith the sayin+ of three %sal)s, $hich are to be said

strai+ht on $ithout an anti%hon, and after these the hy)n for the sa)e Hour,

one lesson, the verse,K!rie eleison, the blessin+, and the collects.

C/APTE7 >)))

In What Order the &salms Are to Be Said

/n the be+innin+ let there be said the verse,"eus' in ad(utorium meum

intende) "omine' ad ad(u#andum me festina#(s A9C608&, and the Gloria,

follo$ed by the hy)n for each Hour. t (ri)e on Sunday, then, there are to

be said four sections of the 117th %sal). t the other Hours, ho$ever,

na)ely Tierce, Se"t, and one, let three sections of the sa)e %sal) be said.

But at (ri)e on Donday let three %sal)s be said, na)ely, the first, the

second, and the si"th3 and thus each day at (ri)e until Sunday, let three

%sal)s be said each ti)e in consecutive order u% to the 19th %sal), yet so

that the ninth %sal) and the 1th be each divided into t$o Glorias3 and thus

it $ill co)e about that at the ni+ht office on Sundays $e al$ays be+in $iththe 8Cth %sal).

t Tierce, Se"t, and one, on Donday, ho$ever, let the nine sections $hich

re)ain over the 117th %sal) be said, three sections at each of these Hours.

The 117th %sal) havin+ thus been %arceled out for t$o days, na)ely,

Sunday and Donday, let there be sun+ on Tuesday for Tierce, Se"t, and

one, three %sal)s each, fro) the 119th to the 18th, that is, nine %sal)s.

These %sal)s $ill al$ays be re%eated at the sa)e Hours in @ust the sa)e

$ay until Sunday, observin+ also for all these days a re+ular succession of

the hy)ns, the lessons, and the verses, so, na)ely, that on Sunday the

be+innin+ is al$ays )ade $ith the 117th %sal).

*et Ves%ers be sun+ daily $ith the sin+in+ of four %sal)s. *et these %sal)s

be+in $ith the 1C9th to the 14th, e"ce%tin+ those $hich are set aside for

the other Hours3 na)ely, fro) the 11th to the 18th, and the 122d, and the

148d. ll the rest are to be said at Ves%ers3 and as the %sal)s fall three

short, those of the aforesaide %sal)s $hich are found to be lon+er, are to be

divided3 na)ely, the 127th, the 142d, and the 144th. But because the 11Ath


23/53

is short, let it be @oined to the 115th. The order of the %sal)s for Ves%ers

havin+ thus been arran+ed let the rest, na)ely, the lessons, the res%onsories,

the hy)ns, the verses, and the canticles, be said as $e have directed above.

t o)%lin, ho$ever, let the sa)e %sal)s be re%eated every day3 na)ely,

the 4th, the 9Cth, and the 122d.

Havin+ arran+ed the order of the office, let all the rest of the %sal)s $hich

re)ain over, be divided e?ually into seven ni+ht offices, by so dividin+ such

of the) as are of +reater len+th that t$elve fall to each ni+ht. =e es%ecially

i)%ress this, that, if this distribution of the %sal)s should %erchance

dis%lease anyone, he arran+e the) if he thin-eth another better, by all )eans

seein+ to it that the $hole (salter of one hundred and fifty %sal)s be said

every $ee-, and that it al$ays start a+ain fro) the be+innin+ at Datins onSunday3 because those )on-s sho$ too la" a service in their devotion $ho

in the course of a $ee- chant less than the $hole (salter $ith is custo)ary

canticles3 since $e read, that our holy forefathers %ro)%tly fulfilled in one

day $hat $e lu-e$ar) )on-s should, %lease >od, %erfor) at least in a

$ee-.

C/APTE7 )

Of the Manner of ,eciting the &salter

=e believe that >od is %resent every$here and that the eyes of the *ord

behold the +ood and the bad in every %lace #cf (rov 1502&. *et us fir)ly

believe this, es%ecially $hen $e ta-e %art in the =or- of >od. *et us,

therefore, al$ays be )indful of $hat the (ro%het saith, Serve ye the *ord

$ith fear #(s 8011&. nd a+ain, Sin+ ye $isely #(s 4A4607&. nd, / $ill

sin+ %raise to Thee in the si+ht of the an+els #(s 12127601&. Therefore, let

us consider ho$ it beco)eth us to behave in the si+ht of >od and His

an+els, and let us so stand to sin+, that our )ind )ay be in har)ony $ith

our voice.

C/APTE7

Of ,e#erence at &ra!er

/f $e do not venture to a%%roach )en $ho are in %o$er, e"ce%t $ith

hu)ility and reverence, $hen $e $ish to as- a favor, ho$ )uch )ust $e

beseech the *ord >od of all thin+s $ith all hu)ility and %urity of devotion:nd let us be assured that it is not in )any $ords, but in the %urity of heart

and tears of co)%unction that $e are heard. or this reason %rayer ou+ht to


24/53

be short and %ure, unless, %erha%s it is len+thened by the ins%iration of

divine +race. t the co))unity e"ercises, ho$ever, let the %rayer al$ays be

short, and the si+n havin+ been +iven by the Su%erior, let all rise to+ether.

C/APTE7 )

Of the "eans of the Monaster!

/f the brotherhood is lar+e, let brethren of +ood re%ute and holy life be

chosen fro) a)on+ the) and be a%%ointed eans3 and let the) ta-e care of

their deaneries in everythin+ accordin+ to the co))and)ents of >od and

the directions of their bbot. *et such be chosen eans as the bbot )ay

safely trust to share his burden. *et the) not be chosen for their ran-, but

for the )erit of their life and their $isdo) and -no$led+e3 and if any of

the), %uffed u% $ith %ride, should be found bla)e$orthy and, after havin+been corrected once and a+ain and even a third ti)e, refuseth to a)end, let

hi) be de%osed, and one $ho is $orthy be %laced in his stead. =e )a-e the

sa)e re+ulation $ith reference to the (rior.

C/APTE7 ))

o% the Monks Are to Slee*

*et the brethren slee% sin+ly, each in a se%arate bed. *et the) receive the

beddin+ befittin+ their )ode of life, accordin+ to the direction of their

bbot. /f it can be done, let all slee% in one a%art)ent3 but if the nu)ber

doth not allo$ it, let the) slee% in tens or t$enties $ith the seniors $ho

have char+e of the). *et a li+ht be -e%t burnin+ constantly in the cell till

)ornin+.

*et the) slee% clothed and +irded $ith cinctures or cords, that they )ay be

al$ays ready3 but let the) not have -nives at their sides $hilst they slee%,

lest %erchance the slee%in+ be $ounded in their drea)s3 and the si+n havin+been +iven, risin+ $ithout delay, let the) hasten to outstri% each other to the

=or- of >od, yet $ith all +ravity and decoru). *et the youn+er brethren

not have their beds beside each other, but inter)in+led $ith the older ones3

and risin+ to the =or- of >od, let the) +ently encoura+e one another on

account of the e"cuses of the dro$sy.

C/APTE7 )))

Of -.communication for +aults

/f a brother is found stubborn or disobedient or %roud or )ur)urin+, or


25/53

o%%osed to anythin+ in the Holy Rule and a conte)ner of the

co))and)ents of his Su%eriors, let hi) be ad)onished by his Su%eriors

once and a+ain in secret, accordin+ to the co))and of our *ord #cf Dt

17015;1A&. /f he doth not a)end let hi) be ta-en to tas- %ublicly before all.

But if he doth not refor) even then, and he understandeth $hat a %enalty itis, let hi) be %laced under e"co))unication3 but if even then he re)aineth

obstinate let hi) under+o cor%oral %unish)ent.

C/APTE7 )>

What the Manner of -.communication Should Be

The de+ree of e"co))unication or %unish)ent ou+ht to be )eted out

accordin+ to the +ravity of the offense, and to deter)ine that is left to the

@ud+)ent of the bbot. /f, ho$ever, anyone of the brethren is detected ins)aller faults, let hi) be debarred fro) eatin+ at the co))on table.

The follo$in+ shall be the %ractice res%ectin+ one $ho is e"cluded fro) the

co))on table0 that he does not intone a %sal) or an anti%hon nor read a

lesson in the oratory until he hath )ade satisfaction3 let hi) ta-e his )eal

alone, after the refection of the brethren3 thus0 if, for instance, the brethren

ta-e their )eal at the si"th hour that brother $ill ta-e his at the ninth, and if

the brethren ta-e theirs at the ninth, he $ill ta-e his in the evenin+, until bydue satisfaction he obtaineth %ardon.

C/APTE7 >

Of Gra#er +aults

But let the brother $ho is found +uilty of a +raver fault be e"cluded fro)

both the table and the oratory. *et none of the brethren @oin his co)%any or

s%ea- $ith hi). *et hi) be alone at the $or- en@oined on hi), %erseverin+

in %enitential sorro$, )indful of the terrible sentence of the %ostle $hosaith, that such a )an is delivered over for the destruction of the flesh, that

the s%irit )ay be saved in the day of the *ord #1 or 505&. *et hi) +et his

food alone in such ?uantity and at such a ti)e as the bbot shall dee) fit3

and let hi) not be blessed by anyone %assin+ by, nor the food that is +iven

hi).

C/APTE7 >)

Of Those Who %ithout the Command of the Abbot Associate %ith the-.communicated


26/53

/f any brother %resu)e to associate $ith an e"co))unicated brother in any

$ay, or to s%ea- $ith hi), or to send hi) a )essa+e, $ithout the co))and

of the bbot, let hi) incur the sa)e %enalty of e"co))unication.

C/APTE7 >))

o% Concerned the Abbot Should Be about the -.communicated

*et the bbot sho$ all care and concern to$ards offendin+ brethren

because they that are in health need not a %hysician, but they that are sic-

#Dt 9018&. Therefore, li-e a %rudent %hysician he ou+ht to use every

o%%ortunity to send consolers, na)ely, discreet elderly brethren, to console

the $averin+ brother, as it $ere, in secret, and induce hi) to )a-e hu)ble

satisfaction3 and let the) cheer hi) u% lest he be s$allo$ed u% $ith

over)uch sorro$ #8 or 80&3 but, as the sa)e %ostle saith, confir) yourcharity to$ards hi) #8 or 807&3 and let %rayer be said for hi) by all.

The bbot )ust ta-e the ut)ost %ains, and strive $ith all %rudence and eal,

that none of the floc- entrusted to hi) %erish. or the bbot )ust -no$ that

he has ta-en u%on hi)self the care of infir) souls, not a des%otis) over the

stron+3 and let hi) fear the threat of the (ro%het $herein the *ord saith0

=hat ye sa$ to be fat, that ye too- to yourselves, and $hat $as diseased

you thre$ a$ay #Ee- 2402;4&. nd let hi) follo$ the lovin+ e"a)%le ofthe >ood She%herd, $ho, leavin+ the ninety;nine shee% on the )ountains,

$ent to see- the one that had +one astray, on $hose $ea-ness He had such

%ity, that He $as %leased to lay it on His sacred shoulders and thus carry it

bac- to the fold #cf *- 1505&.

C/APTE7 >)))

Of Those Who a#ing Often Been Corrected "o $ot Amend

/f a brother hath often been corrected and hath even been e"co))unicatedfor a fault and doth not a)end, let a )ore severe correction be a%%lied to

hi), na)ely, %roceed a+ainst hi) $ith cor%oral %unish)ent.

But if even then he doth not refor), or %uffed u% $ith %ride, should %erha%s,

$hich >od forbid, even defend his actions, then let the bbot act li-e a

%rudent %hysician. fter he hath a%%lied soothin+ lotions, oint)ents of

ad)onitions, )edica)ents of the Holy Scri%tures, and if, as a last resource,

he hath e)%loyed the caustic of e"co))unication and the blo$s of the lash,and seeth that even then his %ains are of no avail, let hi) a%%ly for that

brother also $hat is )ore %otent than all these )easures0 his o$n %rayer and


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that of the brethren, that the *ord $ho is all;%o$erful )ay $or- a cure in

that brother.

But if he is not healed even in this $ay, then finally let the bbot dis)iss

hi) fro) the co))unity, as the %ostle saith0 (ut a$ay the evil one fro)

a)on+ you #1 or 5012&3 and a+ain0 /f the faithless de%art, let hi) de%art

#1 or 015&3 lest one diseased shee% infect the $hole floc-.

C/APTE7 )

Whether Brethren Who Lea#e the Monaster! Ought to Be ,ecei#ed Again

/f a brother, $ho throu+h his o$n fault leaveth the )onastery or is e"%elled,

desireth to return, let hi) first %ro)ise full a)end)ent of the fault for

$hich he left3 and thus let hi) be received in the last %lace, that by this

)eans his hu)ility )ay be tried. /f he should leave a+ain, let hi) be

received even a third ti)e, -no$in+ that after this every )eans of return

$ill be denied hi).

C/APTE7

o% /oung Bo!s Are to Be Corrected

Every a+e and understandin+ should have its %ro%er disci%line. =henever,

therefore, boys or i))ature youths or such as can not understand ho$ +rave

a %enalty e"co))unication is, are +uilty of a serious fault, let the) under+o

severe fastin+ or be disci%lined $ith cor%oral %unish)ent, that they )ay be

corrected.

C/APTE7 )

The Kind of Man the Cellarer of the Monaster! Ought to Be

*et there be chosen fro) the brotherhood as ellarer of the )onastery a

$ise )an, of settled habits, te)%erate and fru+al, not conceited, irritable,

resentful, slu++ish, or $asteful, but fearin+ >od, $ho )ay be as a father to

the $hole brotherhood.

*et hi) have the char+e of everythin+, let hi) do nothin+ $ithout the

co))and of the bbot, let hi) do $hat hath been ordered hi) and not

+rieve the brethren. /f a brother should %erchance re?uest anythin+ of hi)

unreasonably let hi) not sadden the brother $ith a cold refusal, but %olitely

and $ith hu)ility refuse hi) $ho as-eth a)iss. *et hi) be $atchful of his

o$n soul, al$ays )indful of the sayin+ of the %ostle0 or they that have

)inistered $ell, shall %urchase to the)selves a +ood de+ree #1 T) 2012&.


28/53

*et hi) %rovide for the sic-, the children, the +uests, and the %oor, $ith all

care, -no$in+ that, $ithout doubt, he $ill have to +ive an account of all

these thin+s on @ud+)ent day. *et hi) re+ard all the vessels of the

)onastery and all its substance, as if they $ere sacred vessels of the altar.

*et hi) ne+lect nothin+ and let hi) not +ive $ay to avarice, nor let hi) be$asteful and a s?uanderer of the +oods of the )onastery3 but let hi) do all

thin+s in due )easure and accordin+ to the biddin+ of his bbot.

bove all thin+s, let hi) be hu)ble3 and if he hath not the thin+s to +ive, let

hi) ans$er $ith a -ind $ord, because it is $ritten0 +ood $ord is above

the best +ift #Sir 1701&. *et hi) have under his char+e everythin+ that the

bbot hath entrusted to hi), and not %resu)e to )eddle $ith )atters

forbidden hi). *et hi) +ive the brethren their a%%ortioned allo$ance

$ithout a ruffle or delay, that they )ay not be scandalied, )indful of $hat

the ivine =ord declareth that he deserveth $ho shall scandalie one of

these little ones0 /t $ere better for hi) that a )illstone $ere han+ed about

his nec- and that he $ere dro$ned in the de%th of the sea #Dt 170A&.

/f the co))unity is lar+e, let assistants be +iven hi), that, $ith their hel%,

he too )ay fulfil the office entrusted to hi) $ith an even te)%er. *et the

thin+s that are to be +iven be distributed, and the thin+s that are to be +otten

as-ed for at the %ro%er ti)es, so that nobody )ay be disturbed or +rieved in

the house of >od.

C/APTE7 ))

Of the Tools and Goods of the Monaster!

*et the bbot a%%oint brethren on $hose life and character he can rely, over

the %ro%erty of the )onastery in tools, clothin+, and thin+s +enerally, and let

hi) assi+n to the), as he shall dee) %ro%er, all the articles $hich )ust be

collected after use and stored a$ay. *et the bbot -ee% a list of these

articles, so that, $hen the brethren in turn succeed each other in these trusts,

he )ay -no$ $hat he +iveth and $hat he receiveth bac-. /f anyone,

ho$ever, handleth the +oods of the )onastery slovenly or carelessly let hi)

be re%ri)anded and if he doth not a)end let hi) co)e under the disci%line

of the Rule.

C/APTE7 )))

Whether Monks Ought to a#e An!thing of Their O%n

The vice of %ersonal o$nershi% )ust by all )eans be cut out in the


29/53

)onastery by the very root, so that no one )ay %resu)e to +ive or receive

anythin+ $ithout the co))and of the bbot3 nor to have anythin+ $hatever

as his o$n, neither a boo-, nor a $ritin+ tablet, nor a %en, nor anythin+ else

$hatsoever, since )on-s are allo$ed to have neither their bodies nor their

$ills in their o$n %o$er. Everythin+ that is necessary, ho$ever, they )ustloo- for fro) the ather of the )onastery3 and let it not be allo$ed for

anyone to have anythin+ $hich the bbot did not +ive or %er)it hi) to

have. *et all thin+s be co))on to all, as it is $ritten. nd let no one call or

ta-e to hi)self anythin+ as his o$n #cf cts 4028&. But if anyone should be

found to indul+e this )ost baneful vice, and, havin+ been ad)onished once

and a+ain, doth not a)end, let hi) be sub@ected to %unish)ent.

C/APTE7 )>

Whether All Should ,ecei#e in -0ual Measure What Is $ecessar!

/t is $ritten, istribution $as )ade to everyone accordin+ as he had need

#cts 4025&. =e do not say by this that res%ect should be had for %ersons

#>od forbid&, but re+ard for infir)ities. *et hi) $ho hath need of less than-

>od and not +ive $ay to sadness, but let hi) $ho hath need of )ore,

hu)ble hi)self for his infir)ity, and not be elated for the indul+ence sho$n

hi)3 and thus all the )e)bers $ill be at %eace.

bove all, let not the evil of )ur)urin+ a%%ear in the least $ord or si+n for

any reason $hatever. /f anyone be found +uilty herein, let hi) be %laced

under very severe disci%line.

C/APTE7 >

Of the Weekl! Ser#ers in the Kitchen

*et the brethren serve each other so that no one be e"cused fro) the $or- in

the -itchen, e"ce%t on account of sic-ness or )ore necessary $or-, because+reater )erit and )ore charity is thereby ac?uired. *et hel% be +iven to the

$ea-, ho$ever, that they )ay not do this $or- $ith sadness3 but let all have

hel% accordin+ to the sie of the co))unity and the circu)stances of the

%lace. /f the co))unity is lar+e, let the ellarer be e"cused fro) the

-itchen, or if, as $e have said, any are en+a+ed in )ore ur+ent $or-3 let the

rest serve each other in charity.

*et hi) $ho is to +o out of the $ee-ly service, do the cleanin+ on Saturday.*et hi) $ash the to$els $ith $hich the brethren $i%e their hands and feet.

*et hi) $ho +oeth out, as $ell as hi) $ho is to co)e in, $ash the feet of


30/53

all. *et hi) return the utensils of his de%art)ent to the ellarer clean and

$hole. *et the ellarer +ive the sa)e to the one $ho co)eth in, so that he

)ay -no$ $hat he +iveth and $hat he receiveth bac-.

n hour before )eal ti)e let the $ee-ly servers receive each a cu% of drin-

and a %iece of bread over the %rescribed %ortion, that they )ay serve their

brethren at the ti)e ti)e of refection $ithout )ur)urin+ and undue strain.

On sole)n feast days, ho$ever, let the) abstain till after Dass.

s soon as the )ornin+ office on Sunday is ended, let the $ee-ly servers

$ho co)e in and $ho +o out, cast the)selves u%on their -nees in the

oratory before all, as-in+ their %rayers. *et hi) $ho +oeth out of the $ee-ly

service, say the follo$in+ verse0Benedictus es' "omine "eus' 0ui ad(u#isti

me et consolatus se me#an 20583 (s 757A601&. The one +oin+ out havin+said this three ti)es and received the blessin+, let the one $ho co)eth in

follo$ and say0"eus in ad(utorium meum intende) "omine' ad ad(u#andum

me festina#(s A9C608&. nd let this also be re%eated three ti)es by all, and

havin+ received the blessin+ let hi) enter u%on his $ee-ly service.

C/APTE7 >)

Of the Sick Brethren

Before and above all thin+s, care )ust be ta-en of the sic-, that they be

served in very truth as hrist is served3 because He hath said, / $as sic-

and you visited De #Dt 8502A&. nd s lon+ as you did it to one of these

Dy least brethren, you did it to De #Dt 8504C&. But let the sic- the)selves

also consider that they are served for the honor of >od, and let the) not

+rieve their brethren $ho serve the) by unnecessary de)ands. These )ust,

ho$ever, be %atiently borne $ith, because fro) such as these a )ore

bountiful re$ard is +ained. *et the bbotFs +reatest concern, therefore, be

that they suffer no ne+lect.

*et a cell be set a%art for the sic- brethren, and a >od;fearin+, dili+ent, and

careful attendant be a%%ointed to serve the). *et the use of the bath be

offered to the sic- as often as it is useful, but let it be +ranted )ore rarely to

the healthy and es%ecially the youn+. Thus also let the use of )eat be

+ranted to the sic- and to the very $ea- for their recovery. But $hen they

have been restored let the) all abstain fro) )eat in the usual )anner.

But let the bbot e"ercise the ut)ost care that the sic- are not ne+lected by

the ellarer or the attendants, because $hatever his disci%les do a)iss


31/53

falleth bac- on hi).

C/APTE7 >))

Of the Aged and Children

lthou+h hu)an nature is of itself dra$n to feel co)%assion for these life;

%eriods, na)ely, old a+e and childhood, still, let the decree of the Rule )a-e

%rovision also for the). *et their natural $ea-ness be al$ays ta-en into

account and let the strictness of the Rule not be -e%t $ith the) in res%ect to

food, but let there be a tender re+ard in their behalf and let the) eat before

re+ular hours.

C/APTE7 >)))

Of the Weekl! ,eader

Readin+ )ust not be $antin+ at the table of the brethren $hen they are

eatin+. either let anyone $ho )ay chance to ta-e u% the boo- venture to

read there3 but let hi) $ho is to read for the $hole $ee- enter u%on that

office on Sunday. fter Dass and o))union let hi) as- all to %ray for

hi) that >od )ay $ard off fro) hi) the s%irit of %ride. nd let the

follo$in+ verse be said three ti)es by all in the oratory, he be+innin+ it0

"omine' labia mea a*eries' et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam#(s

5C51601&, and thus havin+ received the blessin+ let hi) enter u%on the

readin+.

*et the dee%est silence be )aintained that no $his%erin+ or voice be heard

e"ce%t that of the reader alone. But let the brethren so hel% each other to

$hat is needed for eatin+ and drin-in+, that no one need as- for anythin+. /f,

ho$ever, anythin+ should be $anted, let it be as-ed for by )eans of a si+n

of any -ind rather than a sound. nd let no one %resu)e to as- any

?uestions there, either about the boo- or anythin+ else, in order that nocause to s%ea- be +iven to the devil6 #E%h 4083 1 T) 5014&, unless,

%erchance, the Su%erior $isheth to say a fe$ $ords for edification.

*et the brother $ho is reader for the $ee- ta-e a little bread and $ine before

he be+inneth to read, on account of Holy o))union, and lest it should be

too hard for hi) to fast so lon+. fter$ard, ho$ever, let hi) ta-e his )eal

in the -itchen $ith the $ee-ly servers and the $aiters. The brethren,

ho$ever, $ill not read or sin+ in order, but only those $ho edify theirhearers.


32/53

C/APTE7 )

Of the 1uantit! of +ood

Da-in+ allo$ance for the infir)ities of different %ersons, $e believe that

for the daily )eal, both at the si"th and the ninth hour, t$o -inds of coo-ed

food are sufficient at all )eals3 so that he $ho %erchance cannot eat of one,

)ay )a-e his )eal of the other. *et t$o -inds of coo-ed food, therefore, be

sufficient for all the brethren. nd if there be fruit or fresh ve+etables, a

third )ay be added. *et a %ound of bread be sufficient for the day, $hether

there be only one )eal or both dinner and su%%er. /f they are to eat su%%er,

let a third %art of the %ound be reserved by the ellarer and be +iven at

su%%er.

/f, ho$ever, the $or- hath been es%ecially hard, it is left to the discretionand %o$er of the bbot to add so)ethin+, if he thin- fit, barrin+ above all

thin+s every e"cess, that a )on- be not overta-en by indi+estion. or

nothin+ is so contrary to hristians as e"cess, as our *ord saith0 See that

your hearts be not overchar+ed $ith surfeitin+ #*- 81024&.

*et the sa)e ?uantity of food, ho$ever, not be served out to youn+ children

but less than to older ones, observin+ )easure in all thin+s.

But let all e"ce%t the very $ea- and the sic- abstain alto+ether fro) eatin+

the flesh of four;footed ani)als.

C/APTE7 "

Of the 1uantit! of "rink

Every one hath his %ro%er +ift fro) >od, one after this )anner and another

after that #1 or 0&. /t is $ith so)e hesitation, therefore, that $e

deter)ine the )easure of nourish)ent for others. Ho$ever, )a-in+

allo$ance for the $ea-ness of the infir), $e thin- one he)ina of $ine a

day is sufficient for each one. But to $ho) >od +ranteth the endurance of

abstinence, let the) -no$ that they $ill have their s%ecial re$ard. /f the

circu)stances of the %lace, or the $or-, or the su))erFs heat should re?uire

)ore, let that de%end on the @ud+)ent of the Su%erior, $ho )ust above all

thin+s see to it, that e"cess or drun-enness do not cree% in.

lthou+h $e read that $ine is not at all %ro%er for )on-s, yet, because

)on-s in our ti)es cannot be %ersuaded of this, let us a+ree to this, at least,

that $e do not drin- to satiety, but s%arin+ly3 because $ine )a-eth even


33/53

$ise )en fall off #Sir 1908&. But $here the %overty of the %lace $ill not

%er)it the aforesaid )easure to be had, but )uch less, or none at all, let

those $ho live there bless >od and )ur)ur not. This $e char+e above all

thin+s, that they live $ithout )ur)urin+.

C/APTE7 ")

At What Times the Brethren Should Take Their ,efection

ro) holy Easter till (entecost let the brethren dine at the si"th hour and

ta-e su%%er in the evenin+. ro) (entecost on, ho$ever, durin+ the $hole

su))er, if the )on-s have no $or- in the fields and the e"cess of the heat

doth not interfere, let the) fast on =ednesday and riday until the ninth

hour3 but on the other days let the) dine at the si"th hour. This si"th hour

for dinner is to be continued, if they have $or- in the fields or the heat ofthe su))er is +reat. *et the bbot %rovide for this3 and so let hi) )ana+e

and ada%t everythin+ that souls )ay be saved, and that $hat the brethren do,

they )ay do $ithout havin+ a reasonable cause to )ur)ur. ro) the ides of

Se%te)ber until the be+innin+ of *ent let the) al$ays dine at the ninth

hour. urin+ *ent, ho$ever, until Easter, let the) dine in the evenin+. But

let this evenin+ hour be so arran+ed that they $ill not need la)%;li+ht

durin+ their )eal3 but let everythin+ be finished $hilst it is still day. But at

all ti)es let the hour of )eals, $hether for dinner or for su%%er, be so

arran+ed that everythin+ is done by dayli+ht.

C/APTE7 "))

That $o One S*eak after Com*lin

Don-s should al$ays be +iven to silence, es%ecially, ho$ever, durin+ the

hours of the ni+ht. Therefore, on every day, $hether of fast or of a )id;day

)eal, as soon as they have risen fro) their evenin+ )eal, let all sit to+ether

in one %lace, and let one read the onferences or the *ives of the athers, or

so)ethin+ else that $ill edify the hearers3 not, ho$ever, the He%tateuch or

the Boo-s of the !in+s, because it $ould not be $holeso)e for $ea- )inds

to hear this %art of the Scri%ture at that hour3 they should, ho$ever, be read

at other ti)es. But if it $as a fast;day, then, $hen Ves%ers have been said,

and after a short interval, let the) ne"t co)e to+ether for the readin+ of the

onferences, as $e have said3 and $hen the four or five %a+es have been

read, or as )uch as the hour $ill %er)it, and all have asse)bled in one

%lace durin+ the ti)e of the readin+, let hi) also co)e $ho $as %erchance


34/53

en+a+ed in $or- en@oined on hi). ll, therefore, havin+ asse)bled in one

%lace, let the) say o)%lin, and after +oin+ out fro) o)%lin, let there be

no )ore %er)ission fro) that ti)e on for anyone to say anythin+.

/f, ho$ever, anyone is found to brea- this rule, let hi) under+o heavy

%unish)ent, unless the needs of +uests should arise, or the bbot should

%erha%s +ive a co))and to anyone. But let even this be done $ith the

ut)ost +ravity and )oderation.

C/APTE7 ")))

Of Those Who Are Tard! in Coming to the Work of God or to Table

s soon as the si+nal for the ti)e of the divine office is heard, let everyone,

leavin+ $hatever he hath in his hands, hasten $ith all s%eed, yet $ith

+ravity, that the

rule of benedict, the rule of the ancient benedictine order

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