,,st4 ,,benedict',s ,,rule ,,for ,,monasteries ,translated from the ,latin by ,leonard ,j4 ,doyle ,,the ,,liturgical ,,press ,st ,john's ,abbey ,collegeville1 ,minnesota ,this translation of the ,holy ,rule of ,st4 ,benedict was made from the third edition of the text as edited by ,dom ,cuthbert ,butler of ,downside ,abbey in ,england 7,st4 ,louis3 ,b4 ,herder ,book ,co41 #aice74 ,nihil obstat3 ,basil ,stegmann1 ,o4,s4,b41 ,censor librorum4 ,imprimi potest3 ,alcuin ,deutsch1 ,o4,s4,b41 ,d4,d41 ,abbot1 ,st4 ,john's ,abbey1 ,january #e1 #aidg4 ,imprimatur3 ,joseph ,f4 ,busch1 ,d4,d41 ,bishop of ,st4 ,cloud1 ,january #h1 #aidg4 ,copyright #aidh by ,the ,order of ,st4 ,benedict1 ,inc41 ,collegeville1 ,minnesota4 ,,table ,,of ,,contents ,prologue #a4 ,on the ,kinds of ,monks #b4 ,what ,kind of ,man the ,abbot ,ought to ,be #c4 ,on ,calling the ,brethren for ,counsel #d4 ,what ,are the ,instruments of ,good ,works #e4 ,on ,obedience #f4 ,on the ,spirit of ,silence #g4 ,on ,humility #h4 ,on the ,divine ,office ,during the ,night #i4 ,how ,many ,psalms ,are to ,be ,said at the ,night ,office #aj4 ,how the ,night ,office ,is to ,be ,said in ,summer ,time #aa4 ,how the ,night ,office ,is to ,be ,said on ,sundays #ab4 ,how the ,morning ,office ,is to ,be ,said #ac4 ,how the ,morning ,office ,is to ,be ,said on ,weekdays #ad4 ,how the ,night ,office ,is to ,be ,said on the ,feasts of the ,saints #ae4 ,at ,what ,times 8,alleluia0 ,is to ,be ,said #af4 ,how the ,work of ,god ,is to ,be ,performed ,during the ,day #ag4 ,how ,many ,psalms ,are to ,be ,said at ,these ,hours #ah4 ,in ,what ,order the ,psalms ,are to ,be ,said #ai4 ,on the ,manner of ,saying the ,divine ,office #bj4 ,on ,reverence in ,prayer #ba4 ,on the ,deans of the ,monastery #bb4 ,how the ,monks ,are to ,sleep #bc4 ,on ,excommunication for ,faults #bd4 ,what the ,measure of ,excommunication ,should ,be #be4 ,on ,weightier ,faults #bf4 ,on ,those ,who ,without an ,order ,associate ,with the ,excommunicated #bg4 ,how ,solicitous the ,abbot ,should ,be for the ,excommunicated #bh4 ,on ,those ,who ,will ,not ,amend ,after ,repeated ,corrections #bi4 ,whether ,brethren ,who ,leave the ,monastery ,should ,be ,received ,again #cj4 ,how ,boys ,are to ,be ,corrected #ca4 ,what ,kind of ,man the ,cellarer of the ,monastery ,should ,be #cb4 ,on the ,tools and ,property of the ,monastery #cc4 ,whether ,monks ,ought to ,have ,anything of ,their ,own #cd4 ,whether ,all ,should ,receive in ,equal ,measure ,what ,is ,necessary #ce4 ,on the ,weekly ,servers in the ,kitchen #cf4 ,on the ,sick ,brethren #cg4 ,on ,old ,men and ,children #ch4 ,on the ,weekly ,reader #ci4 ,on the ,measure of ,food #dj4 ,on the ,measure of ,drink #da4 ,at ,what ,hours the ,meals ,should ,be ,taken #db4 ,that ,no ,one ,speak ,after ,compline #dc4 ,on ,those ,who ,come ,late to the ,work of ,god or to ,table #dd4 ,how the ,excommunicated ,are to ,make ,satisfaction #de4 ,on ,those ,who ,make ,mistakes in the ,oratory #df4 ,on ,those ,who ,fail in ,any ,other ,matters #dg4 ,on ,giving the ,signal for the ,time of the ,work of ,god #dh4 ,on the ,daily ,manual ,labor #di4 ,on the ,observance of ,lent #ej4 ,on ,brethren ,who ,are ,working ,far ,from the ,oratory or ,are on a ,journey #ea4 ,on ,brethren ,who ,go ,not ,very ,far ,away #eb4 ,on the ,oratory of the ,monastery #ec4 ,on the ,reception of ,guests #ed4 ,whether a ,monk ,should ,receive ,letters or ,anything ,else #ee4 ,on the ,clothes and ,shoes of the ,brethren #ef4 ,on the ,abbot's ,table #eg4 ,on the ,craftsmen of the ,monastery #eh4 ,on the ,manner of ,receiving ,brethren #ei4 ,on the ,sons of ,nobles and of the ,poor ,who ,are ,offered #fj4 ,on ,priests ,who ,may ,wish to ,live in the ,monastery #fa4 ,how ,pilgrim ,monks ,are ,to ,be ,received #fb4 ,on the ,priests of the ,monastery #fc4 ,on the ,order of the ,community #fd4 ,on ,constituting an ,abbot #fe4 ,on the ,prior of the ,monastery #ff4 ,on the ,porters of the ,monastery #fg4 ,on ,brethren ,who ,are ,sent on a ,journey #fh4 ,if a ,brother ,is ,commanded to ,do ,impossible ,things #fi4 ,that the ,monks ,presume ,not to ,defend ,one ,another #gj4 ,that ,no ,one ,venture to ,punish at ,random #ga4 ,that the ,brethren ,be ,obedient to ,one ,another #gb4 ,on the ,good ,zeal ,which ,monks ,ought to ,have #gc4 ,on the ,fact ,that the ,full ,observance of ,justice ,is ,not ,established in ,this ,rule ,,st4 ,,benedict',s ,,rule ,,for ,,monasteries ,,prologue ,jan4 #a--,may #b--,sept4 #a ,listen1 my son1 to your master's precepts1 and incline the ear of your heart4 ,receive willingly and carry out effectively your loving father's advice1 that by the labor of obedience you may return to ,him from whom you had departed by the sloth of disobedience4 ,to you1 therefore1 my words are now addressed1 whoever you may be1 who are renouncing your own will to do battle under the ,lord ,christ1 the true ,king1 and are taking up the strong1 bright weapons of obedience4 ,and first of all1 whatever good work you begin to do1 beg of ,him with most earnest prayer to perfect it1 that ,he who has now deigned to count us among ,his sons may not at any time be grieved by our evil deeds4 ,for we must always so serve ,him with the good things ,he has given us1 that ,he will never as an angry ,father disinherit ,his children1 nor ever as a dread ,lord1 provoked by our evil actions1 deliver us to everlasting punishment as wicked servants who would not follow ,him to glory4 ,jan4 #b--,may #c--,sept4 #b ,let us arise1 then1 at last1 for the ,scripture stirs us up1 saying1 8,now is the hour for us to rise from sleep40 ,let us open our eyes to the deifying light1 let us hear with attentive ears the warning which the divine voice cries daily to us1 8,today if you hear ,his voice1 harden not your hearts40 ,and again1 8,he who has ears to hear1 let him hear what the ,spirit says to the churches40 ,and what does ,he say8 8,come1 ,my children1 listen to ,me2 ,i will teach you the fear of the ,lord4 ,run while you have the light of life1 lest the darkness of death overtake you40 ,jan4 #c--,may #d--,sept4 #c ,and the ,lord1 seeking ,his laborer in the multitude to whom ,he thus cries out1 says again1 8,who is the man who will have life1 and desires to see good days80 ,and if1 hearing ,him1 you answer1 8,i am he10 ,god says to you1 8,if you will have true and everlasting life1 keep your tongue from evil and your lips that they speak no guile4 ,turn away from evil and do good2 seek after peace and pursue it4 ,and when you have done these things1 ,my eyes shall be upon you and ,my ears open to your prayers2 and before you call upon ,me1 ,i will say to you1 #8,behold1 here ,i am4'0 ,what can be sweeter to us1 dear brethren1 than this voice of the ,lord inviting us8 ,behold1 in ,his loving kindness the ,lord shows us the way of life4 ,jan4 #d--,may #e--,sept4 #d ,having our loins girded1 therefore1 with faith and the performance of good works1 let us walk in ,his paths by the guidance of the ,gospel1 that we may deserve to see ,him who has called us to ,his kingdom4 ,for if we wish to dwell in the tent of that kingdom1 we must run to it by good deeds or we shall never reach it4 ,but let us ask the ,lord1 with the ,prophet1 8,lord1 who shall dwell in ,your tent1 or who shall rest upon ,your holy mountain80 ,after this question1 brethren1 let us listen to the ,lord as ,he answers and shows us the way to that tent1 saying1 8,he who walks without stain and practices justice2 he who speaks truth from his heart2 he who has not used his tongue for deceit2 he who has done no evil to his neighbor2 he who has given no place to slander against his neighbor40 ,it is he who1 under any temptation from the malicious devil1 has brought him to naught by casting him and his temptation from the sight of his heart2 and who has laid hold of his thoughts while they were still young and dashed them against ,christ4 ,it is they who1 fearing the ,lord1 do not pride themselves on their good observance2 but1 convinced that the good which is in them cannot come from themselves and must be from the ,lord1 glorify the ,lord's work in them1 using the words of the ,prophet1 8,not to us1 ,o ,lord1 not to us1 but to ,your name give the glory40 ,thus also the ,apostle ,paul attributed nothing of the success of his preaching to himself1 but said1 8,by the grace of ,god ,i am what ,i am40 ,and again he says1 8,he who glories1 let him glory in the ,lord40 ,jan4 #e--,may #f--,sept4 #e ,hence the ,lord says in the ,gospel1 8,whoever listens to these words of ,mine and acts upon them1 ,i will liken him to a wise man who built his house on rock4 ,the floods came1 the winds blew and beat against that house1 and it did not fall1 because it was founded on rock40 ,having given us these assurances1 the ,lord is waiting every day for us to respond by our deeds to ,his holy admonitions4 ,and the days of this life are lengthened and a truce granted us for this very reason1 that we may amend our evil ways4 ,as the ,apostle says1 8,do you not know that ,god's patience is inviting you to repent80 ,for the merciful ,lord tells us1 8,i desire not the death of the sinner1 but that he should be converted and live40 ,jan4 #f--,may #g--,sept4 #f ,so1 brethren1 we have asked the ,lord who is to dwell in ,his tent1 and we have heard ,his commands to anyone who would dwell there2 it remains for us to fulfil those duties4 ,therefore we must prepare our hearts and our bodies to do battle under the holy obedience of ,his commands2 and let us ask ,god that ,he be pleased to give us the help of ,his grace for anything which our nature finds hardly possible4 ,and if we want to escape the pains of hell and attain life everlasting1 then1 while there is still time1 while we are still in the body and are able to fulfil all these things by the light of this life1 we must hasten to do now what will profit us for eternity4 ,jan4 #g--,may #h--,sept4 #g ,and so we are going to establish a school for the service of the ,lord4 ,in founding it we hope to introduce nothing harsh or burdensome4 ,but if a certain strictness results from the dictates of equity for the amendment of vices or the preservation of charity1 do not be at once dismayed and fly from the way of salvation1 whose entrance cannot but be narrow4 ,for as we advance in the religious life and in faith1 our hearts expand and we run the way of ,god's commandments with unspeakable sweetness of love4 ,thus1 never departing from ,his school1 but persevering in the monastery according to ,his teaching until death1 we may by patience share in the sufferings of ,christ and deserve to have a share also in ,his kingdom4 ,,chapter #a ,on the ,kinds of ,monks ,jan4 #h--,may #i--,sept4 #h ,it is well known that there are four kinds of monks4 ,the first kind are the ,cenobites3 those who live in monasteries and serve under a rule and an ,abbot4 ,the second kind are the ,anchorites or ,hermits3 those who1 no longer in the first fervor of their reformation1 but after long probation in a monastery1 having learned by the help of many brethren how to fight against the devil1 go out well armed from the ranks of the community to the solitary combat of the desert4 ,they are able now1 with no help save from ,god1 to fight single-handed against the vices of the flesh and their own evil thoughts4 ,the third kind of monks1 a detestable kind1 are the ,sarabaites4 ,these1 not having been tested1 as gold in the furnace1 by any rule or by the lessons of experience1 are as soft as lead4 ,in their works they still keep faith with the world1 so that their tonsure marks them as liars before ,god4 ,they live in twos or threes1 or even singly1 without a shepherd1 in their own sheepfolds and not in the ,lord's4 ,their law is the desire for self-gratification3 whatever enters their mind or appeals to them1 that they call holy2 what they dislike1 they regard as unlawful4 ,the fourth kind of monks are those called ,gyrovagues4 ,these spend their whole lives tramping from province to province1 staying as guests in different monasteries for three or four days at a time4 ,always on the move1 with no stability1 they indulge their own wills and succumb to the allurements of gluttony1 and are in every way worse than the ,sarabaites4 ,of the miserable conduct of all such men it is better to be silent than to speak4 ,passing these over1 therefore1 let us proceed1 with ,god's help1 to lay down a rule for the strongest kind of monks1 the ,cenobites4 ,,chapter #b ,what ,kind of ,man the ,abbot ,ought to ,be ,jan4 #i--,may #aj--,sept4 #i ,an ,abbot who is worthy to be over a monastery should always remember what he is called1 and live up to the name of ,superior4 ,for he is believed to hold the place of ,christ in the monastery1 being called by a name of ,his1 which is taken from the words of the ,apostle3 8,you have received a ,spirit of adoption as sons1 by virtue of which we cry1 #8,abba--,father6'0 ,therefore the ,abbot ought not to teach or ordain or command anything which is against the ,lord's precepts2 on the contrary1 his commands and his teaching should be a leaven of divine justice kneaded into the minds of his disciples4 ,jan4 #aj--,may #aa--,sept4 #aj ,let the ,abbot always bear in mind that at the dread ,judgment of ,god there will be an examination of these two matters3 his teaching and the obedience of his disciples4 ,and let the ,abbot be sure that any lack of profit the master of the house may find in the sheep will be laid to the blame of the shepherd4 ,on the other hand1 if the shepherd has bestowed all his pastoral diligence on a restless1 unruly flock and tried every remedy for their unhealthy behavior1 then he will be acquitted at the ,lord's ,judgment and may say to the ,lord with the ,prophet3 8,i have not concealed ,your justice within my heart2 ,your truth and ,your salvation ,i have declared4 ,but they have despised and rejected me40 ,and then finally let death itself1 irresistible1 punish those disobedient sheep under his charge4 ,jan4 #aa--,may #ab--,sept4 #aa ,therefore1 when anyone receives the name of ,abbot1 he ought to govern his disciples with a twofold teaching4 ,that is to say1 he should show them all that is good and holy by his deeds even more than by his words1 expounding the ,lord's commandments in words to the intelligent among his disciples1 but demonstrating the divine precepts by his actions for those of harder hearts and ruder minds4 ,and whatever he has taught his disciples to be contrary to ,god's law1 let him indicate by his example that it is not to be done1 lest1 while preaching to others1 he himself be found reprobate1 and lest ,god one day say to him in his sin1 8,why do you declare ,my statutes and profess ,my covenant with your lips1 whereas you hate discipline and have cast ,my words behind you80 ,and again1 8,you were looking at the speck in your brother's eye1 and did not see the beam in your own40 ,jan4 #ab--,may #ac--,sept4 #ab ,let him make no distinction of persons in the monastery4 ,let him not love one more than another1 unless it be one whom he finds better in good works or in obedience4 ,let him not advance one of noble birth ahead of one who was formerly a slave1 unless there be some other reasonable ground for it4 ,but if the ,abbot for just reason think fit to do so1 let him advance one of any rank whatever4 ,otherwise let them keep their due places2 because1 whether slaves or freemen1 we are all one in ,christ and bear an equal burden of service in the army of the same ,lord4 ,for with ,god there is no respect of persons4 ,only for one reason are we preferred in ,his sight3 if we be found better than others in good works and humility4 ,therefore let the ,abbot show equal love to all and impose the same discipline on all according to their deserts4 ,jan4 #ac--,may #ad--,sept4 #ac ,in his teaching the ,abbot should always follow the ,apostle's formula3 8,reprove1 entreat1 rebuke02 threatening at one time and coaxing at another as the occasion may require1 showing now the stern countenance of a master1 now the loving affection of a father4 ,that is to say1 it is the undisciplined and restless whom he must reprove rather sharply2 it is the obedient1 meek and patient whom he must entreat to advance in virtue2 while as for the negligent and disdainful1 these we charge him to rebuke and correct4 ,and let him not shut his eyes to the faults of offenders2 but1 since he has the authority1 let him cut out those faults by the roots as soon as they begin to appear1 remembering the fate of ,heli1 the priest of ,silo4 ,the well-disposed and those of good understanding let him correct with verbal admonition the first and second time4 ,but bold1 hard1 proud and disobedient characters he should curb at the very beginning of their ill-doing by stripes and other bodily punishments1 knowing that it is written1 8,the fool is not corrected with words10 and again1 8,beat your son with the rod and you will deliver his soul from death40 ,jan4 #ad--,may #ae--,sept4 #ad ,the ,abbot should always remember what he is and what he is called1 and should know that to whom more is committed1 from him more is required4 ,let him understand also what a difficult and arduous task he has undertaken3 ruling souls and adapting himself to a variety of characters4 ,one he must coax1 another scold1 another persuade1 according to each one's character and understanding4 ,thus he must adjust and adapt himself to all in such a way that he may not only suffer no loss in the flock committed to his care1 but may even rejoice in the increase of a good flock4 ,jan4 #ae--,may #af--,sept4 #ae ,above all let him not neglect or undervalue the welfare of the souls committed to him1 in a greater concern for fleeting1 earthly1 perishable things2 but let him always bear in mind that he has undertaken the government of souls and that he will have to give an account of them4 ,and if he be tempted to allege a lack of earthly means1 let him remember what is written3 8,first seek the kingdom of ,god and ,his justice1 and all these things shall be given you besides40 ,and again3 8,nothing is wanting to those who fear ,him40 ,let him know1 then1 that he who has undertaken the government of souls must prepare himself to render an account of them4 ,whatever number of brethren he knows he has under his care1 he may be sure beyond doubt that on ,judgment ,day he will have to give the ,lord an account of all these souls1 as well as of his own soul4 ,thus the constant apprehension about his coming examination as shepherd concerning the sheep entrusted to him1 and his anxiety over the account that must be given for others1 make him careful of his own record4 ,and while by his admonitions he is helping others to amend1 he himself is cleansed of his faults4 ,,chapter #c ,on ,calling the ,brethren for ,counsel ,jan4 #af--,may #ag--,sept4 #af ,whenever any important business has to be done in the monastery1 let the ,abbot call together the whole community and state the matter to be acted upon4 ,then1 having heard the brethren's advice1 let him turn the matter over in his own mind and do what he shall judge to be most expedient4 ,the reason we have said that all should be called for counsel is that the ,lord often reveals to the younger what is best4 ,let the brethren give their advice with all the deference required by humility1 and not presume stubbornly to defend their opinions2 but let the decision rather depend on the ,abbot's judgment1 and all submit to whatever he shall decide for their welfare4 ,however1 just as it is proper for the disciples to obey their master1 so also it is his function to dispose all things with prudence and justice4 ,jan4 #ag--,may #ah--,sept4 #ag ,in all things1 therefore1 let all follow the ,rule as guide1 and let no one be so rash as to deviate from it4 ,let no one in the monastery follow his own heart's fancy2 and let no one presume to contend with his ,abbot in an insolent way or even outside of the monastery4 ,but if anyone should presume to do so1 let him undergo the discipline of the ,rule4 ,at the same time1 the ,abbot himself should do all things in the fear of ,god and in observance of the ,rule1 knowing that beyond a doubt he will have to render an account of all his decisions to ,god1 the most just ,judge4 ,but if the business to be done in the interests of the monastery be of lesser importance1 let him take counsel with the seniors only4 ,it is written1 8,do everything with counsel1 and you will not repent when you have done it40 ,,chapter #d ,what ,are the ,instruments of ,good ,works ,jan4 #ah--,may #ai--,sept4 #ah #a4 ,in the first place1 to love the ,lord ,god with the whole heart1 the whole soul1 the whole strength4 #b4 ,then1 one's neighbor as oneself4 #c4 ,then not to murder4 #d4 ,not to commit adultery4 #e4 ,not to steal4 #f4 ,not to covet4 #g4 ,not to bear false witness4 #h4 ,to respect all men4 #i4 ,and not to do to another what one would not have done to oneself4 #aj4 ,to deny oneself in order to follow ,christ4 #aa4 ,to chastise the body4 #ab4 ,not to become attached to pleasures4 #ac4 ,to love fasting4 #ad4 ,to relieve the poor4 #ae4 ,to clothe the naked4 #af4 ,to visit the sick4 #ag4 ,to bury the dead4 #ah4 ,to help in trouble4 #ai4 ,to console the sorrowing4 #bj4 ,to become a stranger to the world's ways4 #ba4 ,to prefer nothing to the love of ,christ4 ,jan4 #ai--,may #bj--,sept4 #ai #bb4 ,not to give way to anger4 #bc4 ,not to nurse a grudge4 #bd4 ,not to entertain deceit in one's heart4 #be4 ,not to give a false peace4 #bf4 ,not to forsake charity4 #bg4 ,not to swear1 for fear of perjuring oneself4 #bh4 ,to utter truth from heart and mouth4 #bi4 ,not to return evil for evil4 #cj4 ,to do no wrong to anyone1 and to bear patiently wrongs done to oneself4 #ca4 ,to love one's enemies4 #cb4 ,not to curse those who curse us1 but rather to bless them4 #cc4 ,to bear persecution for justice' sake4 #cd4 ,not to be proud4 #ce4 ,not addicted to wine4 #cf4 ,not a great eater4 #cg4 ,not drowsy4 #ch4 ,not lazy4 #ci4 ,not a grumbler4 #dj4 ,not a detractor4 #da4 ,to put one's hope in ,god4 #db4 ,to attribute to ,god1 and not to self1 whatever good one sees in oneself4 #dc4 ,but to recognize always that the evil is one's own doing1 and to impute it to oneself4 ,jan4 #bj--,may #ba--,sept4 #bj #dd4 ,to fear the ,day of ,judgment4 #de4 ,to be in dread of hell4 #df4 ,to desire eternal life with all the passion of the spirit4 #dg4 ,to keep death daily before one's eyes4 #dh4 ,to keep constant guard over the actions of one's life4 #di4 ,to know for certain that ,god sees one everywhere4 #ej4 ,when evil thoughts come into one's heart1 to dash them against ,christ immediately4 #ea4 ,and to manifest them to one's spiritual father4 #eb4 ,to guard one's tongue against evil and depraved speech4 #ec4 ,not to love much talking4 #ed4 ,not to speak useless words or words that move to laughter4 #ee4 ,not to love much or boisterous laughter4 #ef4 ,to listen willingly to holy reading4 #eg4 ,to devote oneself frequently to prayer4 #eh4 ,daily in one's prayers1 with tears and sighs1 to confess one's past sins to ,god1 and to amend them for the future4 #ei4 ,not to fulfil the desires of the flesh2 to hate one's own will4 #fj4 ,to obey in all things the commands of the ,abbot1 even though he himself 7which ,god forbid7 should act otherwise1 mindful of the ,lord's precept1 8,do what they say1 but not what they do40 #fa4 ,not to wish to be called holy before one is holy2 but first to be holy1 that one may be truly so called4 ,jan4 #ba--,may #bb--,sept4 #ba #fb4 ,to fulfil ,god's commandments daily in one's deeds4 #fc4 ,to love chastity4 #fd4 ,to hate no one4 #fe4 ,not to be jealous1 not to harbor envy4 #ff4 ,not to love contention4 #fg4 ,to beware of haughtiness4 #fh4 ,and to respect the seniors4 #fi4 ,to love the juniors4 #gj4 ,to pray for one's enemies in the love of ,christ4 #ga4 ,to make peace with one's adversary before the sun sets4 #gb4 ,and never to despair of ,god's mercy4 ,these1 then1 are the tools of the spiritual craft4 ,if we employ them unceasingly day and night1 and return them on the ,day of ,judgment1 our compensation from the ,lord will be that wage ,he has promised3 8,eye has not seen1 nor ear heard1 what ,god has prepared for those who love ,him40 ,now the workshop in which we shall diligently execute all these tasks is the enclosure of the monastery and stability in the community4 ,,chapter #e ,on ,obedience ,jan4 #bb--,may #bc--,sept4 #bb ,the first degree of humility is obedience without delay4 ,this is the virtue of those who hold nothing dearer to them than ,christ2 who1 because of the holy service they have professed1 and the fear of hell1 and the glory of life everlasting1 as soon as anything has been ordered by the ,superior1 receive it as a divine command and cannot suffer any delay in executing it4 ,of these the ,lord says1 8,as soon as he heard1 he obeyed ,me40 ,and again to teachers ,he says1 8,he who hears you1 hears ,me40 ,such as these1 therefore1 immediately leaving their own affairs and forsaking their own will1 dropping the work they were engaged in and leaving it unfinished1 with the ready step of obedience follow up with their deeds the voice of him who commands4 ,and so as it were at the same moment the master's command is given and the disciple's work is completed1 the two things being speedily accomplished together in the swiftness of the fear of ,god by those who are moved with the desire of attaining life everlasting4 ,that desire is their motive for choosing the narrow way1 of which the ,lord says1 8,narrow is the way that leads to life10 so that1 not living according to their own choice nor obeying their own desires and pleasures but walking by another's judgment and command1 they dwell in monasteries and desire to have an ,abbot over them4 ,assuredly such as these are living up to that maxim of the ,lord in which ,he says1 8,i have come not to do ,my own will1 but the will of ,him who sent ,me40 ,jan4 #bc--,may #bd--,sept4 #bc ,but this very obedience will be acceptable to ,god and pleasing to men only if what is commanded is done without hesitation1 delay1 lukewarmness1 grumbling1 or objection4 ,for the obedience given to ,superiors is given to ,god1 since ,he ,himself has said1 8,he who hears you1 hears ,me40 ,and the disciples should offer their obedience with a good will1 for 8,god loves a cheerful giver40 ,for if the disciple obeys with an ill will and murmurs1 not necessarily with his lips but simply in his heart1 then even though he fulfil the command yet his work will not be acceptable to ,god1 who sees that his heart is murmuring4 ,and1 far from gaining a reward for such work as this1 he will incur the punishment due to murmurers1 unless he amend and make satisfaction4 ,,chapter #f ,on the ,spirit of ,silence ,jan4 #bd--,may #be--,sept4 #bd ,let us do what the ,prophet says3 8,i said1 #8,i will guard my ways1 that ,i may not sin with my tongue4 ,i have set a guard to my mouth4' ,i was mute and was humbled1 and kept silence even from good things40 ,here the ,prophet shows that if the spirit of silence ought to lead us at times to refrain even from good speech1 so much the more ought the punishment for sin make us avoid evil words4 ,therefore1 since the spirit of silence is so important1 permission to speak should rarely be granted even to perfect disciples1 even though it be for good1 holy1 edifying conversation2 for it is written1 8,in much speaking you will not escape sin10 and in another place1 8,death and life are in the power of the tongue40 ,for speaking and teaching belong to the master2 the disciple's part is to be silent and to listen4 ,and for that reason if anything has to be asked of the ,superior1 it should be asked with all the humility and submission inspired by reverence4 ,but as for coarse jests and idle words or words that move to laughter1 these we condemn everywhere with a perpetual ban1 and for such conversation we do not permit a disciple to open his mouth4 ,,chapter #g ,on ,humility ,jan4 #be--,may #bf--,sept4 #be ,holy ,scripture1 brethren1 cries out to us1 saying1 8,everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled1 and he who humbles himself shall be exalted40 ,in saying this it shows us that all exaltation is a kind of pride1 against which the ,prophet proves himself to be on guard when he says1 8,lord1 my heart is not exalted1 nor are mine eyes lifted up2 neither have ,i walked in great matters1 nor in wonders above me40 ,but how has he acted8 8,rather have ,i been of humble mind than exalting myself2 as a weaned child on its mother's breast1 so ,you solace my soul40 ,hence1 brethren1 if we wish to reach the very highest point of humility and to arrive speedily at that heavenly exaltation to which ascent is made through the humility of this present life1 we must by our ascending actions erect the ladder ,jacob saw in his dream1 on which ,angels appeared to him descending and ascending4 ,by that descent and ascent we must surely understand nothing else than this1 that we descend by self-exaltation and ascend by humility4 ,and the ladder thus set up is our life in the world1 which the ,lord raises up to heaven if our heart is humbled4 ,for we call our body and soul the sides of the ladder1 and into these sides our divine vocation has inserted the different steps of humility and discipline we must climb4 ,jan4 #bf--,may #bg--,sept4 #bf ,the first degree of humility1 then1 is that a person keep the fear of ,god before his eyes and beware of ever forgetting it4 ,let him be ever mindful of all that ,god has commanded2 let his thoughts constantly recur to the hell-fire which will burn for their sins those who despise ,god1 and to the life everlasting which is prepared for those who fear ,him4 ,let him keep himself at every moment from sins and vices1 whether of the mind1 the tongue1 the hands1 the feet1 or the self-will1 and check also the desires of the flesh4 ,jan4 #bg--,may #bh--,sept4 #bg ,let a man consider that ,god is always looking at him from heaven1 that his actions are everywhere visible to the divine eyes and are constantly being reported to ,god by the ,angels4 ,this is what the ,prophet shows us when he represents ,god as ever present within our thoughts1 in the words 8,searcher of minds and hearts is ,god0 and again in the words 8,the ,lord knows the thoughts of men40 ,again he says1 8,you have read my thoughts from afar0 and 8,the thoughts of men will confess to ,you40 ,in order that he may be careful about his wrongful thoughts1 therefore1 let the faithful brother say constantly in his heart1 8,then shall ,i be spotless before ,him1 if ,i have kept myself from my iniquity40 ,jan4 #bh--,may #bi--,sept4 #bh ,as for self-will1 we are forbidden to do our own will by the ,scripture1 which says to us1 8,turn away from your own will10 and likewise by the prayer in which we ask ,god that ,his will be done in us4 ,and rightly are we taught not to do our own will when we take heed to the warning of ,scripture3 8,there are ways which to men seem right1 but the ends of them plunge into the depths of hell02 and also when we tremble at what is said of the careless3 8,they are corrupt and have become abominable in their wills40 ,and as for the desires of the flesh1 let us believe with the ,prophet that ,god is ever present to us1 when he says to the ,lord1 8,every desire of mine is before ,you40 ,jan4 #bi--,may #cj--,sept4 #bi ,we must be on our guard1 therefore1 against evil desires1 for death lies close by the gate of pleasure4 ,hence the ,scripture gives this command3 8,go not after your concupiscences40 ,so therefore1 since the eyes of the ,lord observe the good and the evil and the ,lord is always looking down from heaven on the children of men 8to see if there be anyone who understands and seeks ,god10 and since our deeds are daily1 day and night1 reported to the ,lord by the ,angels assigned to us1 we must constantly beware1 brethren1 as the ,prophet says in the ,psalm1 lest at any time ,god see us falling into evil ways and becoming unprofitable2 and lest1 having spared us for the present because in ,his kindness ,he awaits our reformation1 ,he say to us in the future1 8,these things you did1 and ,i held ,my peace40 ,jan4 #cj--,may #ca--,sept4 #cj ,the second degree of humility is that a person love not his own will nor take pleasure in satisfying his desires1 but model his actions on the saying of the ,lord1 8,i have come not to do ,my own will1 but the will of ,him who sent ,me40 ,it is written also1 8,self-will has its punishment1 but constraint wins a crown40 ,jan4 #ca--;,june #a--,oct4 #a ,the third degree of humility is that a person for love of ,god submit himself to his ,superior in all obedience1 imitating the ,lord1 of whom the ,apostle says1 8,he became obedient even unto death40 ,feb4 #a--;,june #b--,oct4 #b ,the fourth degree of humility is that he hold fast to patience with a silent mind when in this obedience he meets with difficulties and contradictions and even any kind of injustice1 enduring all without growing weary or running away4 ,for the ,scripture says1 8,he who perseveres to the end1 he it is who shall be saved02 and again1 8,let your heart take courage1 and wait for the ,lord60 ,and to show how those who are faithful ought to endure all things1 however contrary1 for the ,lord1 the ,scripture says in the person of the suffering1 8,for ,your sake we are put to death all the day long2 we are considered as sheep marked for slaughter40 ,then1 secure in their hope of a divine recompense1 they go on with joy to declare1 8,but in all these trials we conquer1 through ,him who has granted us ,his love40 ,again1 in another place the ,scripture says1 8,you have tested us1 ,o ,god2 ,you have tried us as silver is tried1 by fire2 ,you have brought us into a snare2 ,you have laid afflictions on our back40 ,and to show that we ought to be under a ,superior1 it goes on to say1 8,you have set men over our heads40 ,moreover1 by their patience those faithful ones fulfil the ,lord's command in adversities and injuries3 when struck on one cheek1 they offer the other2 when deprived of their tunic1 they surrender also their cloak2 when forced to go a mile1 they go two2 with the ,apostle ,paul they bear with false brethren and bless those who curse them4 ,feb4 #b--;,june #c--,oct4 #c ,the fifth degree of humility is that he hide from his ,abbot none of the evil thoughts that enter his heart or the sins committed in secret1 but that he humbly confess them4 ,the ,scripture urges us to this when it says1 8,reveal your way to the ,lord and hope in ,him10 and again1 8,confess to the ,lord1 for ,he is good1 for ,his mercy endures forever40 ,and the ,prophet likewise says1 8,my offense ,i have made known to ,you1 and my iniquities ,i have not covered up4 ,i said3 #8,i will declare against myself my iniquities to the ,lord2' and #8,you forgave the wickedness of my heart4'0 ,feb4 #c--;,june #d--,oct4 #d ,the sixth degree of humility is that a monk be content with the poorest and worst of everything1 and that in every occupation assigned him he consider himself a bad and worthless workman1 saying with the ,prophet1 8,i am brought to nothing and ,i am without understanding2 ,i have become as a beast of burden before ,you1 and ,i am always with ,you40 ,feb4 #d--;,june #e--,oct4 #e ,the seventh degree of humility is that he consider himself lower and of less account than anyone else1 and this not only in verbal protestation but also with the most heartfelt inner conviction1 humbling himself and saying with the ,prophet1 8,but ,i am a worm and no man1 the scorn of men and the outcast of the people4 ,after being exalted1 ,i have been humbled and covered with confusion40 ,and again1 8,it is good for me that ,you have humbled me1 that ,i may learn ,your commandments40 ,feb4 #e--;,june #f--,oct4 #f ,the eighth degree of humility is that a monk do nothing except what is commended by the common ,rule of the monastery and the example of the elders4 ,feb4 #f--;,june #g--,oct4 #g ,the ninth degree of humility is that a monk restrain his tongue and keep silence1 not speaking until he is questioned4 ,for the ,scripture shows that 8in much speaking there is no escape from sin0 and that 8the talkative man is not stable on the earth40 ,feb4 #g--;,june #h--,oct4 #h ,the tenth degree of humility is that he be not ready and quick to laugh1 for it is written1 8,the fool lifts up his voice in laughter40 ,feb4 #h--;,june #i--,oct4 #i ,the eleventh degree of humility is that when a monk speaks he do so gently and without laughter1 humbly and seriously1 in few and sensible words1 and that he be not noisy in his speech4 ,it is written1 8,a wise man is known by the fewness of his words40 ,feb4 #i--;,june #aj--,oct4 #aj ,the twelfth degree of humility is that a monk not only have humility in his heart but also by his very appearance make it always manifest to those who see him4 ,that is to say that whether he is at the ,work of ,god1 in the oratory1 in the monastery1 in the garden1 on the road1 in the fields or anywhere else1 and whether sitting1 walking or standing1 he should always have his head bowed and his eyes toward the ground4 ,feeling the guilt of his sins at every moment1 he should consider himself already present at the dread ,judgment and constantly say in his heart what the publican in the ,gospel said with his eyes fixed on the earth3 8,lord1 ,i am a sinner and not worthy to lift up my eyes to heaven02 and again with the ,prophet3 8,i am bowed down and humbled everywhere40 ,having climbed all these steps of humility1 therefore1 the monk will presently come to that perfect love of ,god which casts out fear4 ,and all those precepts which formerly he had not observed without fear1 he will now begin to keep by reason of that love1 without any effort1 as though naturally and by habit4 ,no longer will his motive be the fear of hell1 but rather the love of ,christ1 good habit and delight in the virtues which the ,lord will deign to show forth by the ,holy ,spirit in ,his servant now cleansed from vice and sin4 ,,chapter #h ,on the ,divine ,office ,during the ,night ,feb4 #aj--;,june #aa--,oct4 #aa ,in winter time1 that is from the ,calends of ,november until ,easter1 the brethren shall rise at what is calculated to be the eighth hour of the night1 so that they may sleep somewhat longer than half the night and rise with their rest completed4 ,and the time that remains after the ,night ,office should be spent in study by those brethren who need a better knowledge of the ,psalter or the lessons4 ,from ,easter to the aforesaid ,calends of ,november1 the hour of rising should be so arranged that the ,morning ,office1 which is to be said at daybreak1 will follow the ,night ,office after a very short interval1 during which the brethren may go out for the necessities of nature4 ,,chapter #i ,how ,many ,psalms ,are to ,be ,said at the ,night ,office ,feb4 #aa--;,june #ab--,oct4 #ab ,in winter time as defined above1 there is first this verse to be said three times3 8,o ,lord1 open my lips1 and my mouth shall declare ,your praise40 ,to it is added ,psalm #c and the 8,glory be to the ,father10 and after that ,psalm #id to be chanted with an antiphon or even chanted simply4 ,let the ,ambrosian hymn follow next1 and then six ,psalms with antiphons4 ,when these are finished and the verse said1 let the ,abbot give a blessing2 then1 all being seated on the benches1 let three lessons be read from the book on the lectern by the brethren in their turns1 and after each lesson let a responsory be chanted4 ,two of the responsories are to be said without a 8,glory be to the ,father02 but after the third lesson let the chanter say the 8,glory be to the ,father10 and as soon as he begins it let all rise from their seats out of honor and reverence to the ,holy ,trinity4 ,the books to be read at the ,night ,office shall be those of divine authorship1 of both the ,old and the ,new ,testament1 and also the explanations of them which have been made by well known and orthodox ,catholic ,fathers4 ,after these three lessons with their responsories let the remaining six ,psalms follow1 to be chanted with 8,alleluia40 ,after these shall follow the lesson from the ,apostle1 to be recited by heart1 the verse and the petition of the litany1 that is 8,lord1 have mercy on us40 ,and so let the ,night ,office come to an end4 ,,chapter #aj ,how the ,night ,office ,is to ,be ,said in ,summer ,time ,feb4 #ab--;,june #ac--,oct4 #ac ,from ,easter until the ,calends of ,november let the same number of ,psalms be kept as prescribed above2 but no lessons are to be read from the book1 on account of the shortness of the nights4 ,instead of those three lessons let one lesson from the ,old ,testament be said by heart and followed by a short responsory4 ,but all the rest should be done as has been said1 that is to say that never fewer than twelve ,psalms should be said at the ,night ,office1 not counting ,psalm #c and ,psalm #id4 ,,chapter #aa ,how the ,night ,office ,is to ,be ,said on ,sundays ,feb4 #ac--;,june #ad--,oct4 #ad ,on ,sunday the hour of rising for the ,night ,office should be earlier4 ,in that ,office let the measure already prescribed be kept1 namely the singing of six ,psalms and a verse4 ,then let all be seated on the benches in their proper order while the lessons and their responsories are read from the book1 as we said above4 ,these shall be four in number1 with the chanter saying the 8,glory be to the ,father0 in the fourth responsory only1 and all rising reverently as soon as he begins it4 ,after these lessons let six more ,psalms with antiphons follow in order1 as before1 and a verse2 and then let four more lessons be read with their responsories in the same way as the former4 ,after these let there be three canticles from the book of the ,prophets1 as the ,abbot shall appoint1 and let these canticles be chanted with 8,alleluia40 ,then when the verse has been said and the ,abbot has given the blessing1 let four more lessons be read1 from the ,new ,testament1 in the manner prescribed above4 ,after the fourth responsory let the ,abbot begin the hymn 8,we praise ,you1 ,o ,god40 ,when this is finished the ,abbot shall read the lesson from the book of the ,gospels1 while all stand in reverence and awe4 ,at the end let all answer 8,amen10 and let the ,abbot proceed at once to the hymn 8,to ,you be praise40 ,after the blessing has been given1 let them begin the ,morning ,office4 ,this order for the ,night ,office on ,sunday shall be observed the year around1 both summer and winter2 unless it should happen 7which ,god forbid7 that the brethren be late in rising1 in which case the lessons or the responsories will have to be shortened somewhat4 ,let every precaution be taken1 however1 against such an occurrence2 but if it does happen1 then the one through whose neglect it has come about should make due satisfaction to ,god in the oratory4 ,,chapter #ab ,how the ,morning ,office ,is to ,be ,said ,feb4 #ad--;,june #ae--,oct4 #ae ,the ,morning ,office on ,sunday shall begin with ,psalm #ff recited straight through without an antiphon4 ,after that let ,psalm #ej be said with 8,alleluia10 then ,psalms #aag and #fb1 the ,canticle of ,blessing and the ,psalms of praise2 then a lesson from the ,apocalypse to be recited by heart1 the responsory1 the ,ambrosian hymn1 the verse1 the canticle from the ,gospel book1 the litany and so the end4 ,,chapter #ac ,how the ,morning ,office ,is to ,be ,said on ,weekdays ,feb4 #ae--;,june #af--,oct4 #af ,on weekdays the ,morning ,office shall be celebrated as follows4 ,let ,psalm #ff be said without an antiphon and somewhat slowly1 as on ,sunday1 in order that all may be in time for ,psalm #ej1 which is to be said with an antiphon4 ,after that let two other ,psalms be said according to custom1 namely3 on ,monday ,psalms #e and #ce1 on ,tuesday ,psalms #db and #ef1 on ,wednesday ,psalms #fc and #fd1 on ,thursday ,psalms #hg and #hi1 on ,friday ,psalms #ge and #ia1 and on ,saturday ,psalm #adb and the canticle from ,deuteronomy1 which is to be divided into two sections each terminated by a 8,glory be to the ,father40 ,but on the other days let there be a canticle from the ,prophets1 each on its own day as chanted by the ,roman ,church4 ,next follow the ,psalms of praise1 then a lesson of the ,apostle to be recited from memory1 the responsory1 the ,ambrosian hymn1 the verse1 the canticle from the ,gospel book1 the litany1 and so the end4 ,feb4 #af--;,june #ag--,oct4 #ag ,the ,morning and ,evening ,offices should never be allowed to pass without the ,superior saying the ,lord's ,prayer in its place at the end so that all may hear it1 on account of the thorns of scandal which are apt to spring up4 ,thus those who hear it1 being warned by the covenant which they make in that prayer when they say1 8,forgive us as we forgive10 may cleanse themselves of faults against that covenant4 ,but at the other ,offices let the last part only of that prayer be said aloud1 so that all may answer1 8,but deliver us from evil40 ,,chapter #ad ,how the ,night ,office ,is to ,be ,said on the ,feasts of the ,saints ,feb4 #ag--;,june #ah--,oct4 #ah ,on the feasts of ,saints and on all festivals let the ,office be performed as we have prescribed for ,sundays1 except that the ,psalms1 the antiphons and the lessons belonging to that particular day are to be said4 ,their number1 however1 shall remain as we have specified above4 ,,chapter #ae ,at ,what ,times 8,alleluia0 ,is to ,be ,said ,feb4 #ah--;,june #ai--,oct4 #ai ,from holy ,easter until ,pentecost without interruption let 8,alleluia0 be said both in the ,psalms and in the responsories4 ,from ,pentecost to the beginning of ,lent let it be said every night with the last six ,psalms of the ,night ,office only4 ,on every ,sunday1 however1 outside of ,lent1 the canticles1 the ,morning ,office1 ,prime1 ,terce1 ,sext and ,none shall be said with 8,alleluia10 but ,vespers with antiphons4 ,the responsories are never to be said with 8,alleluia0 except from ,easter to ,pentecost4 ,,chapter #af ,how the ,work of ,god ,is to ,be ,performed ,during the ,day ,feb4 #ai--;,june #bj--,oct4 #bj 8,seven times in the day10 says the ,prophet1 8,i have rendered praise to ,you40 ,now that sacred number of seven will be fulfilled by us if we perform the ,offices of our service at the time of the ,morning ,office1 of ,prime1 of ,terce1 of ,sext1 of ,none1 of ,vespers and of ,compline1 since it was of these day ,hours that he said1 8,seven times in the day ,i have rendered praise to ,you40 ,for as to the ,night ,office the same ,prophet says1 8,in the middle of the night ,i arose to glorify ,you40 ,let us therefore bring our tribute of praise to our ,creator 8for the judgments of ,his justice0 at these times3 the ,morning ,office1 ,prime1 ,terce1 ,sext1 ,none1 ,vespers and ,compline2 and in the night let us arise to glorify ,him4 ,,chapter #ag ,how ,many ,psalms ,are to ,be ,said at ,these ,hours ,feb4 #bj--;,june #ba--,oct4 #ba ,we have already arranged the order of the psalmody for the ,night and ,morning ,offices2 let us now provide for the remaining ,hours4 ,at ,prime let three ,psalms be said1 separately and not under one 8,glory be to the ,father40 ,the hymn of that ,hour is to follow the verse 8,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god10 before the ,psalms begin4 ,upon completion of the three ,psalms let one lesson be recited1 then a verse1 the 8,lord1 have mercy on us0 and the concluding prayers4 ,the ,offices of ,terce1 ,sext and ,none are to be celebrated in the same order1 that is3 the 8,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god10 the hymn proper to each ,hour1 three ,psalms1 lesson and verse1 8,lord1 have mercy on us0 and concluding prayers4 ,if the community is a large one1 let the ,psalms be sung with antiphons2 but if small1 let them be sung straight through4 ,let the ,psalms of the ,vesper ,office be limited to four1 with antiphons4 ,after these ,psalms the lesson is to be recited1 then the responsory1 the ,ambrosian hymn1 the verse1 the canticle from the ,gospel book1 the litany1 the ,lord's ,prayer and the concluding prayers4 ,let ,compline be limited to the saying of three ,psalms1 which are to be said straight through without antiphon1 and after them the hymn of that ,hour1 one lesson1 a verse1 the 8,lord1 have mercy on us10 the blessing and the concluding prayers4 ,,chapter #ah ,in ,what ,order the ,psalms ,are to ,be ,said ,feb4 #ba--;,june #bb--,oct4 #bb ,let this verse be said3 8,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god2 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me10 and the 8,glory be to the ,father02 then the hymn proper to each ,hour4 ,then at ,prime on ,sunday four sections of ,psalm #aah are to be said2 and at each of the remaining ,hours1 that is ,terce1 ,sext and ,none1 three sections of the same ,psalm #aah4 ,at ,prime on ,monday let three ,psalms be said1 namely ,psalms #a1 #b and #f4 ,and so each day at ,prime until ,sunday let three ,psalms be said in numerical order1 to ,psalm #ai1 but with ,psalms #i and #ag each divided into two parts4 ,thus it comes about that the ,night ,office on ,sunday always begins with ,psalm #bj4 ,feb4 #bb--;,june #bc--,oct4 #bc ,at ,terce1 ,sext and ,none on ,monday let the nine remaining sections of ,psalm #aah be said1 three at each of these ,hours4 ,psalm #aah having been completed1 therefore1 on two days1 ,sunday and ,monday1 let the nine ,psalms from ,psalm #aai to ,psalm #abg be said at ,terce1 ,sext and ,none1 three at each ,hour1 beginning with ,tuesday4 ,and let these same ,psalms be repeated every day until ,sunday at the same ,hours1 while the arrangement of hymns1 lessons and verses is kept the same on all days2 and thus ,prime on ,sunday will always begin with ,psalm #aah4 ,feb4 #bc--;,june #bd--,oct4 #bd ,vespers are to be sung with four ,psalms every day4 ,these shall begin with ,psalm #aji and go on to ,psalm #adg1 omitting those which are set apart for other ,hours2 that is to say that with the exception of ,psalms #aag to #abg and ,psalms #acc and #adb1 all the rest of these are to be said at ,vespers4 ,and since there are three ,psalms too few1 let the longer ones of the above number be divided1 namely ,psalms #ach1 #adc and #add4 ,but let ,psalm #aaf because of its brevity be joined to ,psalm #aae4 ,the order of the ,vesper ,psalms being thus settled1 let the rest of the ,hour--lesson1 responsory1 hymn1 verse and canticle--be carried out as we prescribed above4 ,at ,compline the same ,psalms are to be repeated every day1 namely ,psalms #d1 #ij and #acc4 7,feb4 #bd in leap year2 otherwise added to the preceding7--,june #be--,oct4 #be ,the order of psalmody for the day ,hours being thus arranged1 let all the remaining ,psalms be equally distributed among the seven ,night ,offices by dividing the longer ,psalms among them and assigning twelve ,psalms to each night4 ,we strongly recommend1 however1 that if this distribution of the ,psalms is displeasing to anyone1 he should arrange them otherwise1 in whatever way he considers better1 but taking care in any case that the ,psalter with its full number of #aej ,psalms be chanted every week and begun again every ,sunday at the ,night ,office4 ,for those monks show themselves too lazy in the service to which they are vowed1 who chant less than the ,psalter with the customary canticles in the course of a week1 whereas we read that our holy ,fathers strenuously fulfilled that task in a single day4 ,may we1 lukewarm that we are1 perform it at least in a whole week6 ,,chapter #ai ,on the ,manner of ,saying the ,divine ,office ,feb4 #bd 7#be7--;,june #bf--,oct4 #bf ,we believe that the divine presence is everywhere and that 8the eyes of the ,lord are looking on the good and the evil in every place40 ,but we should believe this especially without any doubt when we are assisting at the ,work of ,god4 ,to that end let us be mindful always of the ,prophet's words1 8,serve the ,lord in fear0 and again 8,sing praises wisely0 and 8,in the sight of the ,angels ,i will sing praise to ,you40 ,let us therefore consider how we ought to conduct ourselves in the sight of the ,godhead and of ,his ,angels1 and let us take part in the psalmody in such a way that our mind may be in harmony with our voice4 ,,chapter #bj ,on ,reverence in ,prayer ,feb4 #be 7#bf7--;,june #bg--,oct4 #bg ,when we wish to suggest our wants to men of high station1 we do not presume to do so except with humility and reverence4 ,how much the more1 then1 are complete humility and pure devotion necessary in supplication of the ,lord who is ,god of the universe6 ,and let us be assured that it is not in saying a great deal that we shall be heard1 but in purity of heart and in tears of compunction4 ,our prayer1 therefore1 ought to be short and pure1 unless it happens to be prolonged by an inspiration of divine grace4 ,in community1 however1 let prayer be very short1 and when the ,superior gives the signal let all rise together4 ,,chapter #ba ,on the ,deans of the ,monastery ,feb4 #bf 7#bg7--;,june #bh--,oct4 #bh ,if the community is a large one1 let there be chosen out of it brethren of good repute and holy life1 and let them be appointed deans4 ,these shall take charge of their deaneries in all things1 observing the commandments of ,god and the instructions of their ,abbot4 ,let men of such character be chosen deans that the ,abbot may with confidence share his burdens among them4 ,let them be chosen not by rank but according to their worthiness of life and the wisdom of their doctrine4 ,if any of these deans should become inflated with pride and found deserving of censure1 let him be corrected once1 and again1 and a third time4 ,if he will not amend1 then let him be deposed and another be put in his place who is worthy of it4 ,and we order the same to be done in the case of the ,prior4 ,,chapter #bb ,how the ,monks ,are to ,sleep ,feb4 #bg 7#bh7--;,june #bi--,oct4 #bi ,let each one sleep in a separate bed4 ,let them receive bedding suitable to their manner of life1 according to the ,abbot's directions4 ,if possible let all sleep in one place2 but if the number does not allow this1 let them take their rest by tens or twenties with the seniors who have charge of them4 ,a candle shall be kept burning in the room until morning4 ,let the monks sleep clothed and girded with belts or cords--but not with their knives at their sides1 lest they cut themselves in their sleep--and thus be always ready to rise without delay when the signal is given and hasten to be before one another at the ,work of ,god1 yet with all gravity and decorum4 ,the younger brethren shall not have beds next to one another1 but among those of the older ones4 ,when they rise for the ,work of ,god let them gently encourage one another1 that the drowsy may have no excuse4 ,,chapter #bc ,on ,excommunication for ,faults ,feb4 #bh 7#bi7--;,june #cj--,oct4 #cj ,if a brother is found to be obstinate1 or disobedient1 or proud1 or murmuring1 or habitually transgressing the ,holy ,rule in any point and contemptuous of the orders of his seniors1 the latter shall admonish him secretly a first and a second time1 as ,our ,lord commands4 ,if he fails to amend1 let him be given a public rebuke in front of the whole community4 ,but if even then he does not reform1 let him be placed under excommunication1 provided that he understands the seriousness of that penalty2 if he is perverse1 however1 let him undergo corporal punishment4 ,,chapter #bd ,what the ,measure of ,excommunication ,should ,be ,mar4 #a--;,july #a--,oct4 #ca ,the measure of excommunication or of chastisement should correspond to the degree of fault1 which degree is estimated by the ,abbot's judgment4 ,if a brother is found guilty of lighter faults1 let him be excluded from the common table4 ,now the program for one deprived of the fellowship of the table shall be as follows3 ,in the oratory he shall intone neither ,psalm nor antiphon nor shall he recite a lesson until he has made satisfaction2 in the refectory he shall take his food alone after the community meal1 so that if the brethren eat at the sixth hour1 for instance1 that brother shall eat at the ninth1 while if they eat at the ninth hour he shall eat in the evening1 until by a suitable satisfaction he obtains pardon4 ,,chapter #be ,on ,weightier ,faults ,mar4 #b--;,july #b--,nov4 #a ,let the brother who is guilty of a weightier fault be excluded both from the table and from the oratory4 ,let none of the brethren join him either for company or for conversation4 ,let him be alone at the work assigned him1 abiding in penitential sorrow and pondering that terrible sentence of the ,apostle where he says that a man of that kind is handed over for the destruction of the flesh1 that the spirit may be saved in the day of the ,lord4 ,let him take his meals alone in the measure and at the hour which the ,abbot shall consider suitable for him4 ,he shall not be blessed by those who pass by1 nor shall the food that is given him be blessed4 ,,chapter #bf ,on ,those ,who ,without an ,order ,associate ,with the ,excommunicated ,mar4 #c--;,july #c--,nov4 #b ,if any brother presumes without an order from the ,abbot to associate in any way with an excommunicated brother1 or to speak with him1 or to send him a message1 let him incur a similar punishment of excommunication4 ,,chapter #bg ,how ,solicitous the ,abbot ,should ,be for the ,excommunicated ,mar4 #d--;,july #d--,nov4 #c ,let the ,abbot be most solicitous in his concern for delinquent brethren1 for 8it is not the healthy but the sick who need a physician40 ,and therefore he ought to use every means that a wise physician would use4 ,let him send 8senpectae10 that is1 brethren of mature years and wisdom1 who may as it were secretly console the wavering brother and induce him to make humble satisfaction2 comforting him that he may not 8be overwhelmed by excessive grief10 but that1 as the ,apostle says1 charity may be strengthened in him4 ,and let everyone pray for him4 ,for the ,abbot must have the utmost solicitude and exercise all prudence and diligence lest he lose any of the sheep entrusted to him4 ,let him know that what he has undertaken is the care of weak souls and not a tyranny over strong ones2 and let him fear the ,prophet's warning through which ,god says1 8,what you saw to be fat you took to yourselves1 and what was feeble you cast away40 ,let him rather imitate the loving example of the ,good ,shepherd who left the ninety-nine sheep in the mountains and went to look for the one sheep that had gone astray1 on whose weakness ,he had such compassion that ,he deigned to place it on ,his own sacred shoulders and thus carry it back to the flock4 ,,chapter #bh ,on ,those ,who ,will ,not ,amend ,after ,repeated ,corrections ,mar4 #e--;,july #e--,nov4 #d ,if a brother who has been frequently corrected for some fault1 and even excommunicated1 does not amend1 let a harsher correction be applied1 that is1 let the punishment of the rod be administered to him4 ,but if he still does not reform or perhaps 7which ,god forbid7 even rises up in pride and wants to defend his conduct1 then let the ,abbot do what a wise physician would do4 ,having used applications1 the ointments of exhortation1 the medicines of the ,holy ,scriptures1 finally the cautery of excommunication and of the strokes of the rod1 if he sees that his efforts are of no avail1 let him apply a still greater remedy1 his own prayers and those of all the brethren1 that the ,lord1 who can do all things1 may restore health to the sick brother4 ,but if he is not healed even in this way1 then let the ,abbot use the knife of amputation1 according to the ,apostle's words1 8,expel the evil one from your midst10 and again1 8,if the faithless one departs1 let him depart10 lest one diseased sheep contaminate the whole flock4 ,,chapter #bi ,whether ,brethren ,who ,leave the ,monastery ,should ,be ,received ,again ,mar4 #f--;,july #f--,nov4 #e ,if a brother who through his own fault leaves the monastery should wish to return1 let him first promise full reparation for his having gone away2 and then let him be received in the lowest place1 as a test of his humility4 ,and if he should leave again1 let him be taken back again1 and so a third time2 but he should understand that after this all way of return is denied him4 ,,chapter #cj ,how ,boys ,are to ,be ,corrected ,mar4 #g--;,july #g--,nov4 #f ,every age and degree of understanding should have its proper measure of discipline4 ,with regard to boys and adolescents1 therefore1 or those who cannot understand the seriousness of the penalty of excommunication1 whenever such as these are delinquent let them be subjected to severe fasts or brought to terms by harsh beatings1 that they may be cured4 ,,chapter #ca ,what ,kind of ,man the ,cellarer of the ,monastery ,should ,be ,mar4 #h--;,july #h--,nov4 #g ,as cellarer of the monastery let there be chosen from the community one who is wise1 of mature character1 sober1 not a great eater1 not haughty1 not excitable1 not offensive1 not slow1 not wasteful1 but a ,god-fearing man who may be like a father to the whole community4 ,let him have charge of everything4 ,he shall do nothing without the ,abbot's orders1 but keep to his instructions4 ,let him not vex the brethren4 ,if any brother happens to make some unreasonable demand of him1 instead of vexing the brother with a contemptuous refusal he should humbly give the reason for denying the improper request4 ,let him keep guard over his own soul1 mindful always of the ,apostle's saying that 8he who has ministered well acquires for himself a good standing40 ,let him take the greatest care of the sick1 of children1 of guests and of the poor1 knowing without doubt that he will have to render an account for all these on the ,day of ,judgment4 ,let him regard all the utensils of the monastery and its whole property as if they were the sacred vessels of the altar4 ,let him not think that he may neglect anything4 ,he should be neither a miser nor a prodigal and squanderer of the monastery's substance1 but should do all things with measure and in accordance with the ,abbot's instructions4 ,mar4 #i--;,july #i--,nov4 #h ,above all things let him have humility2 and if he has nothing else to give let him give a good word in answer1 for it is written1 8,a good word is above the best gift40 ,let him have under his care all that the ,abbot has assigned to him1 but not presume to deal with what he has forbidden him4 ,let him give the brethren their appointed allowance of food without any arrogance or delay1 that they may not be scandalized1 mindful of the ,word of ,god as to what he deserves 8who shall scandalize one of the little ones40 ,if the community is a large one1 let helpers be given him1 that by their assistance he may fulfil with a quiet mind the office committed to him4 ,the proper times should be observed in giving the things that have to be given and asking for the things that have to be asked for1 that no one may be troubled or vexed in the house of ,god4 ,,chapter #cb ,on the ,tools and ,property of the ,monastery ,mar4 #aj--;,july #aj--,nov4 #i ,for the care of the monastery's property in tools1 clothing and other articles let the ,abbot appoint brethren on whose manner of life and character he can rely2 and let him1 as he shall judge to be expedient1 consign the various articles to them1 to be looked after and to be collected again4 ,the ,abbot shall keep a list of these articles1 so that as the brethren succeed one another in their assignments he may know what he gives and what he receives back4 ,if anyone treats the monastery's property in a slovenly or careless way1 let him be corrected4 ,if he fails to amend1 let him undergo the discipline of the ,rule4 ,,chapter #cc ,whether ,monks ,ought to ,have ,anything of ,their ,own ,mar4 #aa--;,july #aa--,nov4 #aj ,this vice especially is to be cut out of the monastery by the roots4 ,let no one presume to give or receive anything without the ,abbot's leave1 or to have anything as his own--anything whatever1 whether book or tablets or pen or whatever it may be--since they are not permitted to have even their bodies or wills at their own disposal2 but for all their necessities let them look to the ,father of the monastery4 ,and let it be unlawful to have anything which the ,abbot has not given or allowed4 ,let all things be common to all1 as it is written1 and let no one say or assume that anything is his own4 ,but if anyone is caught indulging in this most wicked vice1 let him be admonished once and a second time4 ,if he fails to amend1 let him undergo punishment4 ,,chapter #cd ,whether ,all ,should ,receive in ,equal ,measure ,what ,is ,necessary ,mar4 #ab--;,july #ab--,nov4 #aa ,let us follow the ,scripture1 8,distribution was made to each according as anyone had need40 ,by this we do not mean that there should be respecting of persons 7which ,god forbid71 but consideration for infirmities4 ,he who needs less should thank ,god and not be discontented2 but he who needs more should be humbled by the thought of his infirmity rather than feeling important on account of the kindness shown him4 ,thus all the members will be at peace4 ,above all1 let not the evil of murmuring appear for any reason whatsoever in the least word or sign4 ,if anyone is caught at it1 let him be placed under very severe discipline4 ,,chapter #ce ,on the ,weekly ,servers in the ,kitchen ,mar4 #ac--;,july #ac--,nov4 #ab ,let the brethren serve one another1 and let no one be excused from the kitchen service except by reason of sickness or occupation in some important work4 ,for this service brings increase of reward and of charity4 ,but let helpers be provided for the weak ones1 that they may not be distressed by this work2 and indeed let everyone have help1 as required by the size of the community or the circumstances of the locality4 ,if the community is a large one1 the cellarer shall be excused from the kitchen service2 and so also those whose occupations are of greater utility1 as we said above4 ,let the rest serve one another in charity4 ,the one who is ending his week of service shall do the cleaning on ,saturday4 ,he shall wash the towels with which the brethren wipe their hands and feet2 and this server who is ending his week1 aided by the one who is about to begin1 shall wash the feet of all the brethren4 ,he shall return the utensils of his office to the cellarer clean and in good condition1 and the cellarer in turn shall consign them to the incoming server1 in order that he may know what he gives out and what he receives back4 ,mar4 #ad--;,july #ad--,nov4 #ac ,an hour before the meal let the weekly servers each receive a drink and some bread1 over and above the appointed allowance1 in order that at the meal time they may serve their brethren without murmuring and without excessive fatigue4 ,on solemn days1 however1 let them wait until after ,mass4 ,immediately after the ,morning ,office on ,sunday1 the incoming and outgoing servers shall prostrate themselves before all the brethren in the oratory and ask their prayers4 ,let the server who is ending his week say this verse3 8,blessed are ,you1 ,o ,lord ,god1 who have helped me and consoled me40 ,when this has been said three times and the outgoing server has received his blessing1 then let the incoming server follow and say1 8,incline unto my aid1 ,o ,god2 ,o ,lord1 make haste to help me40 ,let this also be repeated three times by all1 and having received his blessing let him enter his service4 ,,chapter #cf ,on the ,sick ,brethren ,mar4 #ae--;,july #ae--,nov4 #ad ,before all things and above all things1 care must be taken of the sick1 so that they will be served as if they were ,christ in person2 for ,he ,himself said1 8,i was sick1 and you visited ,me10 and1 8,what you did for one of these least ones1 you did for ,me40 ,but let the sick on their part consider that they are being served for the honor of ,god1 and let them not annoy their brethren who are serving them by their unnecessary demands4 ,yet they should be patiently borne with1 because from such as these is gained a more abundant reward4 ,therefore the ,abbot shall take the greatest care that they suffer no neglect4 ,for these sick brethren let there be assigned a special room and an attendant who is ,god-fearing1 diligent and solicitous4 ,let the use of baths be afforded the sick as often as may be expedient2 but to the healthy1 and especially to the young1 let them be granted more rarely4 ,moreover1 let the use of meat be granted to the sick who are very weak1 for the restoration of their strength2 but when they are convalescent1 let all abstain from meat as usual4 ,the ,abbot shall take the greatest care that the sick be not neglected by the cellarers or the attendants2 for he also is responsible for what is done wrongly by his disciples4 ,,chapter #cg ,on ,old ,men and ,children ,mar4 #af--;,july #af--,nov4 #ae ,although human nature itself is drawn to special kindness towards these times of life1 that is towards old men and children1 still the authority of the ,rule should also provide for them4 ,let their weakness be always taken into account1 and let them by no means be held to the rigor of the ,rule with regard to food4 ,on the contrary1 let a kind consideration be shown to them1 and let them eat before the regular hours4 ,,chapter #ch ,on the ,weekly ,reader ,mar4 #ag--;,july #ag--,nov4 #af ,the meals of the brethren should not be without reading4 ,nor should the reader be anyone who happens to take up the book2 but there should be a reader for the whole week1 entering that office on ,sunday4 ,let this incoming reader1 after ,mass and ,communion1 ask all to pray for him that ,god may keep him from the spirit of pride4 ,and let him intone the following verse1 which shall be said three times by all in the oratory3 8,o ,lord1 open my lips1 and my mouth shall declare ,your praise40 ,then1 having received a blessing1 let him enter on the reading4 ,and let absolute silence be kept at table1 so that no whispering may be heard nor any voice except the reader's4 ,as to the things they need while they eat and drink1 let the brethren pass them to one another so that no one need ask for anything4 ,if anything is needed1 however1 let it be asked for by means of some audible sign rather than by speech4 ,nor shall anyone at table presume to ask questions about the reading or anything else1 lest that give occasion for talking2 except that the ,superior may perhaps wish to say something briefly for the purpose of edification4 ,the brother who is reader for the week shall take a little refreshment before he begins to read1 on account of the ,holy ,communion and lest perhaps the fast be hard for him to bear4 ,he shall take his meal afterwards with the kitchen and table servers of the week4 ,the brethren are not to read or chant in order1 but only those who edify their hearers4 ,,chapter #ci ,on the ,measure of ,food ,mar4 #ah--;,july #ah--,nov4 #ag ,we think it sufficient for the daily dinner1 whether at the sixth or the ninth hour1 that every table have two cooked dishes1 on account of individual infirmities1 so that he who for some reason cannot eat of the one may make his meal of the other4 ,therefore let two cooked dishes suffice for all the brethren2 and if any fruit or fresh vegetables are available1 let a third dish be added4 ,let a good pound weight of bread suffice for the day1 whether there be only one meal or both dinner and supper4 ,if they are to have supper1 the cellarer shall reserve a third of that pound1 to be given them at supper4 ,but if it happens that the work was heavier1 it shall lie within the ,abbot's discretion and power1 should it be expedient1 to add something to the fare4 ,above all things1 however1 over-indulgence must be avoided and a monk must never be overtaken by indigestion2 for there is nothing so opposed to the ,christian character as over-indulgence1 according to ,our ,lord's words1 8,see to it that your hearts be not burdened with over-indulgence40 ,young boys shall not receive the same amount of food as their elders1 but less2 and frugality shall be observed in all circumstances4 ,except the sick who are very weak1 let all abstain entirely from eating the flesh of four-footed animals4 ,,chapter #dj ,on the ,measure of ,drink ,mar4 #ai--;,july #ai--,nov4 #ah 8,everyone has his own gift from ,god1 one in this way and another in that40 ,it is therefore with some misgiving that we regulate the measure of other men's sustenance4 ,nevertheless1 keeping in view the needs of weaker brethren1 we believe that a hemina of wine a day is sufficient for each4 ,but those to whom ,god gives the strength to abstain should know that they will receive a special reward4 ,if the circumstances of the place1 or the work1 or the heat of summer require a greater measure1 the ,superior shall use his judgment in the matter1 taking care always that there be no occasion for surfeit or drunkenness4 ,we read1 it is true1 that wine is by no means a drink for monks2 but since the monks of our day cannot be persuaded of this1 let us at least agree to drink sparingly and not to satiety1 because 8wine makes even the wise fall away40 ,but where the circumstances of the place are such that not even the measure prescribed above can be supplied1 but much less or none at all1 let those who live there bless ,god and not murmur4 ,above all things do we give this admonition1 that they abstain from murmuring4 ,,chapter #da ,at ,what ,hours the ,meals ,should ,be ,taken ,mar4 #bj--;,july #bj--,nov4 #ai ,from holy ,easter until ,pentecost let the brethren take dinner at the sixth hour and supper in the evening4 ,from ,pentecost throughout the summer1 unless the monks have work in the fields or the excessive heat of summer oppresses them1 let them fast on ,wednesdays and ,fridays until the ninth hour2 on the other days let them dine at the sixth hour4 ,this dinner at the sixth hour shall be the daily schedule if they have work in the fields or the heat of summer is extreme2 the ,abbot's foresight shall decide on this4 ,thus it is that he should adapt and arrange everything in such a way that souls may be saved and that the brethren may do their work without just cause for murmuring4 ,from the ,ides of ,september until the beginning of ,lent let them always take their dinner at the ninth hour4 ,in ,lent until ,easter let them dine in the evening4 ,but this evening hour shall be so determined that they will not need the light of a lamp while eating1 but everything will be accomplished while it is still daylight4 ,indeed at all seasons let the hour1 whether for supper or for dinner1 be so arranged that everything will be done by daylight4 ,,chapter #db ,that ,no ,one ,speak ,after ,compline ,mar4 #ba--;,july #ba--,nov4 #bj ,monks ought to be zealous for silence at all times1 but especially during the hours of the night4 ,for every season1 therefore1 whether there be fasting or two meals1 let the program be as follows3 ,if it be a season when there are two meals1 then as soon as they have risen from supper they shall all sit together1 and one of them shall read the ,conferences or the ,lives of the ,fathers or something else that may edify the hearers2 not the ,heptateuch or the ,books of ,kings1 however1 because it will not be expedient for weak minds to hear those parts of ,scripture at that hour2 but they shall be read at other times4 ,if it be a day of fast1 then having allowed a short interval after ,vespers they shall proceed at once to the reading of the ,conferences1 as prescribed above2 four or five pages being read1 or as much as time permits1 so that during the delay provided by this reading all may come together1 including those who may have been occupied in some work assigned them4 ,when all1 therefore1 are gathered together1 let them say ,compline2 and when they come out from ,compline1 no one shall be allowed to say anything from that time on4 ,and if anyone should be found evading this rule of silence1 let him undergo severe punishment4 ,an exception shall be made if the need of speaking to guests should arise or if the ,abbot should give someone an order4 ,but even this should be done with the utmost gravity and the most becoming restraint4 ,,chapter #dc ,on ,those ,who ,come ,late to the ,work of ,god or to ,table ,mar4 #bb--;,july #bb--,nov4 #ba ,at the hour for the ,divine ,office1 as soon as the signal is heard1 let them abandon whatever they may have in hand and hasten with the greatest speed1 yet with seriousness1 so that there is no excuse for levity4 ,let nothing1 therefore1 be put before the ,work of ,god4 ,if at the ,night ,office anyone arrives after the 8,glory be to the ,father0 of ,psalm #id--which ,psalm for this reason we wish to be said very slowly and protractedly--let him not stand in his usual place in the choir2 but let him stand last of all1 or in a place set aside by the ,abbot for such negligent ones in order that they may be seen by him and by all4 ,he shall remain there until the ,work of ,god has been completed1 and then do penance by a public satisfaction4 ,the reason why we have judged it fitting for them to stand in the last place or in a place apart is that1 being seen by all1 they may amend for very shame4 ,for if they remain outside of the oratory1 there will perhaps be someone who will go back to bed and sleep or at least seat himself outside and indulge in idle talk1 and thus an occasion will be provided for the evil one4 ,but let them go inside1 that they may not lose the whole ,office1 and may amend for the future4 ,at the day ,hours anyone who does not arrive at the ,work of ,god until after the verse and the 8,glory be to the ,father0 of the first ,psalm following it shall stand in the last place1 according to our ruling above4 ,nor shall he presume to join the choir in their chanting until he has made satisfaction1 unless the ,abbot should pardon him and give him permission2 but even then the offender must make satisfaction for his fault4 ,mar4 #bc--;,july #bc--,nov4 #bb ,anyone who does not come to table before the verse1 so that all together may say the verse and the oration and all sit down to table at the same time--anyone who through his own carelessness or bad habit does not come on time shall be corrected for this up to the second time4 ,if then he does not amend1 he shall not be allowed to share in the common table1 but shall be separated from the company of all and made to eat alone1 and his portion of wine shall be taken away from him1 until he has made satisfaction and has amended4 ,and let him suffer a like penalty who is not present at the verse said after the meal4 ,and let no one presume to take any food or drink before or after the appointed time4 ,but if anyone is offered something by the ,superior and refuses to take it1 then when the time comes that he desires what he formerly refused or something else1 let him receive nothing whatever until he has made proper satisfaction4 ,,chapter #dd ,how the ,excommunicated ,are to ,make ,satisfaction ,mar4 #bd--;,july #bd--,nov4 #bc ,one who for serious faults is excommunicated from oratory and table shall make satisfaction as follows4 ,at the hour when the celebration of the ,work of ,god is concluded in the oratory1 let him lie prostrate before the door of the oratory1 saying nothing1 but only lying prone with his face to the ground at the feet of all as they come out of the oratory4 ,and let him continue to do this until the ,abbot judges that satisfaction has been made4 ,then1 when he has come at the ,abbot's bidding1 let him cast himself first at the ,abbot's feet and then at the feet of all1 that they may pray for him4 ,and next1 if the ,abbot so orders1 let him be received into the choir1 to the place which the ,abbot appoints1 but with the provision that he shall not presume to intone ,psalm or lesson or anything else in the oratory without a further order from the ,abbot4 ,moreover1 at every ,hour1 when the ,work of ,god is ended1 let him cast himself on the ground in the place where he stands4 ,and let him continue to satisfy in this way until the ,abbot again orders him finally to cease from this satisfaction4 ,but those who for slight faults are excommunicated only from table shall make satisfaction in the oratory1 and continue in it till an order from the ,abbot1 until he blesses them and says1 8,it is enough40 ,,chapter #de ,on ,those ,who ,make ,mistakes in the ,oratory ,mar4 #be--;,july #be--,nov4 #bd ,when anyone has made a mistake while reciting a ,psalm1 a responsory1 an antiphon or a lesson1 if he does not humble himself there before all by making a satisfaction1 let him undergo a greater punishment because he would not correct by humility what he did wrong through carelessness4 ,but boys for such faults shall be whipped4 ,,chapter #df ,on ,those ,who ,fail in ,any ,other ,matters ,mar4 #bf--;,july #bf--,nov4 #be ,when anyone is engaged in any sort of work1 whether in the kitchen1 in the cellar1 in a shop1 in the bakery1 in the garden1 while working at some craft1 or in any other place1 and he commits some fault1 or breaks something1 or loses something1 or transgresses in any other way whatsoever1 if he does not come immediately before the ,abbot and the community of his own accord to make satisfaction and confess his fault1 then when it becomes known through another1 let him be subjected to a more severe correction4 ,but if the sin-sickness of the soul is a hidden one1 let him reveal it only to the ,abbot or to a spiritual father1 who knows how to cure his own and others' wounds without exposing them and making them public4 ,,chapter #dg ,on ,giving the ,signal for the ,time of the ,work of ,god ,mar4 #bg--;,july #bg--,nov4 #bf ,the indicating of the hour of the ,work of ,god by day and by night shall devolve upon the ,abbot1 either to give the signal himself or to assign this duty to such a careful brother that everything will take place at the proper hours4 ,let the ,psalms and the antiphons be intoned by those who are appointed for it1 in their order after the ,abbot4 ,and no one shall presume to sing or read unless he can fulfil that office in such a way as to edify the hearers4 ,let this function be performed with humility1 gravity and reverence1 and by him whom the ,abbot has appointed4 ,,chapter #dh ,on the ,daily ,manual ,labor ,mar4 #bh--;,july #bh--,nov4 #bg ,idleness is the enemy of the soul4 ,therefore the brethren should be occupied at certain times in manual labor1 and again at fixed hours in sacred reading4 ,to that end we think that the times for each may be prescribed as follows4 ,from ,easter until the ,calends of ,october1 when they come out from ,prime in the morning let them labor at whatever is necessary until about the fourth hour1 and from the fourth hour until about the sixth let them apply themselves to reading4 ,after the sixth hour1 having left the table1 let them rest on their beds in perfect silence2 or if anyone may perhaps want to read1 let him read to himself in such a way as not to disturb anyone else4 ,let ,none be said rather early1 at the middle of the eighth hour1 and let them again do what work has to be done until ,vespers4 ,and if the circumstances of the place or their poverty should require that they themselves do the work of gathering the harvest1 let them not be discontented2 for then are they truly monks when they live by the labor of their hands1 as did our ,fathers and the ,apostles4 ,let all things be done with moderation1 however1 for the sake of the faint-hearted4 ,mar4 #bi--;,july #bi--,nov4 #bh ,from the ,calends of ,october until the beginning of ,lent1 let them apply themselves to reading up to the end of the second hour4 ,at the second hour let ,terce be said1 and then let all labor at the work assigned them until ,none4 ,at the first signal for the ,hour of ,none let everyone break off from his work1 and hold himself ready for the sounding of the second signal4 ,after the meal let them apply themselves to their reading or to the ,psalms4 ,on the days of ,lent1 from morning until the end of the third hour let them apply themselves to their reading1 and from then until the end of the tenth hour let them do the work assigned them4 ,and in these days of ,lent they shall each receive a book from the library1 which they shall read straight through from the beginning4 ,these books are to be given out at the beginning of ,lent4 ,but certainly one or two of the seniors should be deputed to go about the monastery at the hours when the brethren are occupied in reading and see that there be no lazy brother who spends his time in idleness or gossip and does not apply himself to the reading1 so that he is not only unprofitable to himself but also distracts others4 ,if such a one be found 7which ,god forbid71 let him be corrected once and a second time2 if he does not amend1 let him undergo the punishment of the ,rule in such a way that the rest may take warning4 ,moreover1 one brother shall not associate with another at unseasonable hours4 ,mar4 #cj--;,july #cj--,nov4 #bi ,on ,sundays1 let all occupy themselves in reading1 except those who have been appointed to various duties4 ,but if anyone should be so negligent and shiftless that he will not or cannot study or read1 let him be given some work to do so that he will not be idle4 ,weak or sickly brethren should be assigned a task or craft of such a nature as to keep them from idleness and at the same time not to overburden them or drive them away with excessive toil4 ,their weakness must be taken into consideration by the ,abbot4 ,,chapter #di ,on the ,observance of ,lent ,mar4 #ca--;,july #ca--,nov4 #cj ,although the life of a monk ought to have about it at all times the character of a ,lenten observance1 yet since few have the virtue for that1 we therefore urge that during the actual days of ,lent the brethren keep their lives most pure and at the same time wash away during these holy days all the negligences of other times4 ,and this will be worthily done if we restrain ourselves from all vices and give ourselves up to prayer with tears1 to reading1 to compunction of heart and to abstinence4 ,during these days1 therefore1 let us increase somewhat the usual burden of our service1 as by private prayers and by abstinence in food and drink4 ,thus everyone of his own will may offer ,god 8with joy of the ,holy ,spirit0 something above the measure required of him4 ,from his body1 that is1 he may withhold some food1 drink1 sleep1 talking and jesting2 and with the joy of spiritual desire he may look forward to holy ,easter4 ,let each one1 however1 suggest to his ,abbot what it is that he wants to offer1 and let it be done with his blessing and approval4 ,for anything done without the permission of the spiritual father will be imputed to presumption and vainglory and will merit no reward4 ,therefore let everything be done with the ,abbot's approval4 ,,chapter #ej ,on ,brethren ,who ,are ,working ,far ,from the ,oratory or ,are on a ,journey ,apr4 #a--;,aug4 #a--;,dec4 #a ,those brethren who are working at a great distance and cannot get to the oratory at the proper time--the ,abbot judging that such is the case--shall perform the ,work of ,god in the place where they are working1 bending their knees in reverence before ,god4 ,likewise those who have been sent on a journey shall not let the appointed ,hours pass by1 but shall say the ,office by themselves as well as they can1 and not neglect to render the task of their service4 ,,chapter #ea ,on ,brethren ,who ,go ,not ,very ,far ,away ,apr4 #b--;,aug4 #b--;,dec4 #b ,a brother who is sent out on some business and is expected to return to the monastery that same day shall not presume to eat while he is out1 even if he is urgently requested to do so by any person whomsoever1 unless he has permission from his ,abbot4 ,and if he acts otherwise1 let him be excommunicated4 ,,chapter #eb ,on the ,oratory of the ,monastery ,apr4 #c--;,aug4 #c--;,dec4 #c ,let the oratory be what it is called1 a place of prayer2 and let nothing else be done there or kept there4 ,when the ,work of ,god is ended1 let all go out in perfect silence1 and let reverence for ,god be observed1 so that any brother who may wish to pray privately will not be hindered by another's misconduct4 ,and at other times also1 if anyone should want to pray by himself1 let him go in simply and pray1 not in a loud voice but with tears and fervor of heart4 ,he who does not say his prayers in this way1 therefore1 shall not be permitted to remain in the oratory when the ,work of ,god is ended1 lest another be hindered1 as we have said4 ,,chapter #ec ,on the ,reception of ,guests ,apr4 #d--;,aug4 #d--;,dec4 #d ,let all guests who arrive be received like ,christ1 for ,he is going to say1 8,i came as a guest1 and you received ,me40 ,and to all let due honor be shown1 especially to the domestics of the faith and to pilgrims4 ,as soon as a guest is announced1 therefore1 let the ,superior or the brethren meet him with all charitable service4 ,and first of all let them pray together1 and then exchange the kiss of peace4 ,for the kiss of peace should not be offered until after the prayers have been said1 on account of the devil's deceptions4 ,in the salutation of all guests1 whether arriving or departing1 let all humility be shown4 ,let the head be bowed or the whole body prostrated on the ground in adoration of ,christ1 who indeed is received in their persons4 ,after the guests have been received and taken to prayer1 let the ,superior or someone appointed by him sit with them4 ,let the divine law be read before the guest for his edification1 and then let all kindness be shown him4 ,the ,superior shall break his fast for the sake of a guest1 unless it happens to be a principal fast day which may not be violated4 ,the brethren1 however1 shall observe the customary fasts4 ,let the ,abbot give the guests water for their hands2 and let both ,abbot and community wash the feet of all guests4 ,after the washing of the feet let them say this verse3 8,we have received ,your mercy1 ,o ,god1 in the midst of ,your temple40 ,in the reception of the poor and of pilgrims the greatest care and solicitude should be shown1 because it is especially in them that ,christ is received2 for as far as the rich are concerned1 the very fear which they inspire wins respect for them4 ,apr4 #e--;,aug4 #e--;,dec4 #e ,let there be a separate kitchen for the ,abbot and guests1 that the brethren may not be disturbed when guests1 who are never lacking in a monastery1 arrive at irregular hours4 ,let two brethren capable of filling the office well be appointed for a year to have charge of this kitchen4 ,let them be given such help as they need1 that they may serve without murmuring4 ,and on the other hand1 when they have less to occupy them1 let them go out to whatever work is assigned them4 ,and not only in their case but in all the offices of the monastery let this arrangement be observed1 that when help is needed it be supplied1 and again when the workers are unoccupied they do whatever they are bidden4 ,the guest house also shall be assigned to a brother whose soul is possessed by the fear of ,god4 ,let there be a sufficient number of beds made up in it2 and let the house of ,god be managed by prudent men and in a prudent manner4 ,on no account shall anyone who is not so ordered associate or converse with guests4 ,but if he should meet them or see them1 let him greet them humbly1 as we have said1 ask their blessing and pass on1 saying that he is not allowed to converse with a guest4 ,,chapter #ed ,whether a ,monk ,should ,receive ,letters or ,anything ,else ,apr4 #f--;,aug4 #f--;,dec4 #f ,on no account shall a monk be allowed to receive letters1 tokens or any little gift whatsoever from his parents or anyone else1 or from his brethren1 or to give the same1 without the ,abbot's permission4 ,but if anything is sent him even by his parents1 let him not presume to take it before it has been shown to the ,abbot4 ,and it shall be in the ,abbot's power to decide to whom it shall be given1 if he allows it to be received2 and the brother to whom it was sent should not be grieved1 lest occasion be given to the devil4 ,should anyone presume to act otherwise1 let him undergo the discipline of the ,rule4 ,,chapter #ee ,on the ,clothes and ,shoes of the ,brethren ,apr4 #g--;,aug4 #g--;,dec4 #g ,let clothing be given to the brethren according to the nature of the place in which they dwell and its climate2 for in cold regions more will be needed1 and in warm regions less4 ,this is to be taken into consideration1 therefore1 by the ,abbot4 ,we believe1 however1 that in ordinary places the following dress is sufficient for each monk3 a tunic1 a cowl 7thick and woolly for winter1 thin or worn for summer71 a scapular for work1 stockings and shoes to cover the feet4 ,the monks should not complain about the color or the coarseness of any of these things1 but be content with what can be found in the district where they live and can be purchased cheaply4 ,the ,abbot shall see to the size of the garments1 that they be not too short for those who wear them1 but of the proper fit4 ,let those who receive new clothes always give back the old ones at once1 to be put away in the wardrobe for the poor4 ,for it is sufficient if a monk has two tunics and two cowls1 to allow for night wear and for the washing of these garments2 more than that is superfluity and should be taken away4 ,let them return their stockings also and anything else that is old when they receive new ones4 ,those who are sent on a journey shall receive drawers from the wardrobe1 which they shall wash and restore on their return4 ,and let their cowls and tunics be somewhat better than what they usually wear4 ,these they shall receive from the wardrobe when they set out on a journey1 and restore when they return4 ,apr4 #h--;,aug4 #h--;,dec4 #h ,for bedding let this suffice3 a mattress1 a blanket1 a coverlet and a pillow4 ,the beds1 moreover1 are to be examined frequently by the ,abbot1 to see if any private property be found in them4 ,if anyone should be found to have something that he did not receive from the ,abbot1 let him undergo the most severe discipline4 ,and in order that this vice of private ownership may be cut out by the roots1 the ,abbot should provide all the necessary articles3 cowl1 tunic1 stockings1 shoes1 girdle1 knife1 pen1 needle1 handkerchief1 tablets2 that all pretext of need may be taken away4 ,yet the ,abbot should always keep in mind the sentence from the ,acts of the ,apostles that 8distribution was made to each according as anyone had need40 ,in this manner1 therefore1 let the ,abbot consider the weaknesses of the needy and not the ill-will of the envious4 ,but in all his decisions let him think about the retribution of ,god4 ,,chapter #ef ,on the ,abbot's ,table ,apr4 #i--;,aug4 #i--;,dec4 #i ,let the ,abbot's table always be with the guests and the pilgrims4 ,but when there are no guests1 let it be in his power to invite whom he will of the brethren4 ,yet one or two seniors must always be left with the brethren for the sake of discipline4 ,,chapter #eg ,on the ,craftsmen of the ,monastery ,apr4 #aj--;,aug4 #aj--;,dec4 #aj ,if there are craftsmen in the monastery1 let them practice their crafts with all humility1 provided the ,abbot has given permission4 ,but if any one of them becomes conceited over his skill in his craft1 because he seems to be conferring a benefit on the monastery1 let him be taken from his craft and no longer exercise it unless1 after he has humbled himself1 the ,abbot again gives him permission4 ,if any of the work of the craftsmen is to be sold1 let those through whose hands the transactions pass see to it that they do not presume to practice any fraud4 ,let them always remember ,ananias and ,saphira1 lest perhaps the death which these incurred in the body1 they themselves and any others who would deal dishonestly with the monastery's property should suffer in the soul4 ,and in the prices let not the sin of avarice creep in1 but let the goods always be sold a little cheaper than they can be sold by people in the world1 8that in all things ,god may be glorified40 ,,chapter #eh ,on the ,manner of ,receiving ,brethren ,apr4 #aa--;,aug4 #aa--;,dec4 #aa ,when anyone is newly come for the reformation of his life1 let him not be granted an easy entrance2 but1 as the ,apostle says1 8,test the spirits to see whether they are from ,god40 ,if the newcomer1 therefore1 perseveres in his knocking1 and if it is seen after four or five days that he bears patiently the harsh treatment offered him and the difficulty of admission1 and that he persists in his petition1 then let entrance be granted him1 and let him stay in the guest house for a few days4 ,after that let him live in the novitiate1 where the novices study1 eat and sleep4 ,a senior shall be assigned to them who is skilled in winning souls1 to watch over them with the utmost care4 ,let him examine whether the novice is truly seeking ,god1 and whether he is zealous for the ,work of ,god1 for obedience and for humiliations4 ,let the novice be told all the hard and rugged ways by which the journey to ,god is made4 ,if he promises stability and perseverance1 then at the end of two months let this ,rule be read through to him1 and let him be addressed thus3 8,here is the law under which you wish to fight4 ,if you can observe it1 enter2 if you cannot1 you are free to depart40 ,if he still stands firm1 let him be taken to the above-mentioned novitiate and again tested in all patience4 ,and after the lapse of six months let the ,rule be read to him1 that he may know on what he is entering4 ,and if he still remains firm1 after four months let the same ,rule be read to him again4 ,then1 having deliberated with himself1 if he promises to keep it in its entirety and to observe everything that is commanded him1 let him be received into the community4 ,but let him understand that1 according to the law of the ,rule1 from that day forward he may not leave the monastery nor withdraw his neck from under the yoke of the ,rule which he was free to refuse or to accept during that prolonged deliberation4 ,apr4 #ab--;,aug4 #ab--;,dec4 #ab ,he who is to be received shall make a promise before all in the oratory of his stability and of the reformation of his life and of obedience4 ,this promise he shall make before ,god and ,his ,saints1 so that if he should ever act otherwise1 he may know that he will be condemned by ,him whom he mocks4 ,of this promise of his let him draw up a petition in the name of the ,saints whose relics are there and of the ,abbot who is present4 ,let him write this petition with his own hand2 or if he is illiterate1 let another write it at his request1 and let the novice put his mark to it4 ,then let him place it with his own hand upon the altar2 and when he has placed it there1 let the novice at once intone this verse3 8,receive me1 ,o ,lord1 according to ,your word1 and ,i shall live3 and let me not be confounded in my hope40 ,let the whole community answer this verse three times and add the 8,glory be to the ,father40 ,then let the novice brother prostrate himself at each one's feet1 that they may pray for him4 ,and from that day forward let him be counted as one of the community4 ,if he has any property1 let him either give it beforehand to the poor or by solemn donation bestow it on the monastery1 reserving nothing at all for himself1 as indeed he knows that from that day forward he will no longer have power even over his own body4 ,at once1 therefore1 in the oratory1 let him be divested of his own clothes which he is wearing and dressed in the clothes of the monastery4 ,but let the clothes of which he was divested be put aside in the wardrobe and kept there4 ,then if he should ever listen to the persuasions of the devil and decide to leave the monastery 7which ,god forbid71 he may be divested of the monastic clothes and cast out4 ,his petition1 however1 which the ,abbot has taken from the altar1 shall not be returned to him1 but shall be kept in the monastery4 ,,chapter #ei ,on the ,sons of ,nobles and of the ,poor ,who ,are ,offered ,apr4 #ac--;,aug4 #ac--;,dec4 #ac ,if anyone of the nobility offers his son to ,god in the monastery and the boy is very young1 let his parents draw up the petition which we mentioned above2 and at the oblation let them wrap the petition and the boy's hand in the altar cloth and so offer him4 ,as regards their property1 they shall promise in the same petition under oath that they will never of themselves1 or through an intermediary1 or in any way whatever1 give him anything or provide him with the opportunity of owning anything4 ,or else1 if they are unwilling to do this1 and if they want to offer something as an alms to the monastery for their advantage1 let them make a donation of the property they wish to give to the monastery1 reserving the income to themselves if they wish4 ,and in this way let everything be barred1 so that the boy may have no expectations whereby 7which ,god forbid7 he might be deceived and ruined1 as we have learned by experience4 ,let those who are less well-to-do make a similar offering4 ,but those who have nothing at all shall simply draw up the petition and offer their son before witnesses at the oblation4 ,,chapter #fj ,on ,priests ,who ,may ,wish to ,live in the ,monastery ,apr4 #ad--;,aug4 #ad--;,dec4 #ad ,if anyone of the priestly order should ask to be received into the monastery1 permission shall not be granted him too readily4 ,but if he is quite persistent in his request1 let him know that he will have to observe the whole discipline of the ,rule and that nothing will be relaxed in his favor1 that it may be as it is written3 8,friend1 for what have you come80 ,it shall be granted him1 however1 to stand next after the ,abbot and to give blessings and to celebrate ,mass1 but only by order of the ,abbot4 ,without such order let him not presume to do anything1 knowing that he is subject to the discipline of the ,rule2 but rather let him give an example of humility to all4 ,if there happens to be question of an appointment or of some business in the monastery1 let him expect the rank due him according to the date of his entrance into the monastery1 and not the place granted him out of reverence for the priesthood4 ,if any clerics1 moved by the same desire1 should wish to join the monastery1 let them be placed in a middle rank4 ,but they too are to be admitted only if they promise observance of the ,rule and their own stability4 ,,chapter #fa ,how ,pilgrim ,monks ,are ,to ,be ,received ,apr4 #ae--;,aug4 #ae--;,dec4 #ae ,if a pilgrim monk coming from a distant region wants to live as a guest of the monastery1 let him be received for as long a time as he desires1 provided he is content with the customs of the place as he finds them and does not disturb the monastery by superfluous demands1 but is simply content with what he finds4 ,if1 however1 he censures or points out anything reasonably and with the humility of charity1 let the ,abbot consider prudently whether perhaps it was for that very purpose that the ,lord sent him4 ,if afterwards he should want to bind himself to stability1 his wish should not be denied him1 especially since there has been opportunity during his stay as a guest to discover his character4 ,apr4 #af--;,aug4 #af--;,dec4 #af ,but if as a guest he was found exacting or prone to vice1 not only should he be denied membership in the community1 but he should even be politely requested to leave1 lest others be corrupted by his evil life4 ,if1 however1 he has not proved to be the kind who deserves to be put out1 he should not only on his own application be received as a member of the community1 but he should even be persuaded to stay1 that the others may be instructed by his example1 and because in every place it is the same ,lord who is served1 the same ,king for whom the battle is fought4 ,moreover1 if the ,abbot perceives that he is a worthy man1 he may put him in a somewhat higher rank4 ,and not only with regard to a monk but also with regard to those in priestly or clerical orders previously mentioned1 the ,abbot may establish them in a higher rank than would be theirs by date of entrance if he perceives that their life is deserving4 ,let the ,abbot take care1 however1 never to receive a monk from another known monastery as a member of his community without the consent of his ,abbot or a letter of recommendation2 for it is written1 8,do not to another what you would not want done to yourself40 ,,chapter #fb ,on the ,priests of the ,monastery ,apr4 #ag--;,aug4 #ag--;,dec4 #ag ,if an ,abbot desire to have a priest or a deacon ordained for his monastery1 let him choose one of his monks who is worthy to exercise the priestly office4 ,but let the one who is ordained beware of self-exaltation or pride2 and let him not presume to do anything except what is commanded him by the ,abbot1 knowing that he is so much the more subject to the discipline of the ,rule4 ,nor should he by reason of his priesthood forget the obedience and the discipline required by the ,rule1 but make ever more and more progress towards ,god4 ,let him always keep the place which he received on entering the monastery1 except in his duties at the altar or in case the choice of the community and the will of the ,abbot should promote him for the worthiness of his life4 ,yet he must understand that he is to observe the rules laid down by deans and ,priors4 ,should he presume to act otherwise1 let him be judged not as a priest but as a rebel4 ,and if he does not reform after repeated admonitions1 let even the ,bishop be brought in as a witness4 ,if then he still fails to amend1 and his offenses are notorious1 let him be put out of the monastery1 but only if his contumacy is such that he refuses to submit or to obey the ,rule4 ,,chapter #fc ,on the ,order of the ,community ,apr4 #ah--;,aug4 #ah--;,dec4 #ah ,let all keep their places in the monastery established by the time of their entrance1 the merit of their lives and the decision of the ,abbot4 ,yet the ,abbot must not disturb the flock committed to him1 nor by an arbitrary use of his power ordain anything unjustly2 but let him always think of the account he will have to render to ,god for all his decisions and his deeds4 ,therefore in that order which he has established or which they already had1 let the brethren approach to receive the kiss of peace and ,communion1 intone the ,psalms and stand in choir4 ,and in no place whatever should age decide the order or be prejudicial to it2 for ,samuel and ,daniel as mere boys judged priests4 ,except for those already mentioned1 therefore1 whom the ,abbot has promoted by a special decision or demoted for definite reasons1 all the rest shall take their order according to the time of their entrance4 ,thus1 for example1 he who came to the monastery at the second hour of the day1 whatever be his age or his dignity1 must know that he is junior to one who came at the first hour of the day4 ,boys1 however1 are to be kept under discipline in all matters and by everyone4 ,apr4 #ai--;,aug4 #ai--;,dec4 #ai ,the juniors1 therefore1 should honor their seniors1 and the seniors love their juniors4 ,in the very manner of address1 let no one call another by the mere name2 but let the seniors call their juniors ,brothers1 and the juniors call their seniors ,fathers1 by which is conveyed the reverence due to a father4 ,but the ,abbot1 since he is believed to represent ,christ1 shall be called ,lord and ,abbot1 not for any pretensions of his own but out of honor and love for ,christ4 ,let the ,abbot himself reflect on this1 and show himself worthy of such an honor4 ,and wherever the brethren meet one another the junior shall ask the senior for his blessing4 ,when a senior passes by1 a junior shall rise and give him a place to sit1 nor shall the junior presume to sit with him unless his senior bid him1 that it may be as was written1 8,in honor anticipating one another40 ,boys1 both small and adolescent1 shall keep strictly to their rank in oratory and at table4 ,but outside of that1 wherever they may be1 let them be under supervision and discipline1 until they come to the age of discretion4 ,,chapter #fd ,on ,constituting an ,abbot ,apr4 #bj--;,aug4 #bj--;,dec4 #bj ,in the constituting of an ,abbot let this plan always be followed1 that the office be conferred on the one who is chosen either by the whole community unanimously in the fear of ,god or else by a part of the community1 however small1 if its counsel is more wholesome4 ,merit of life and wisdom of doctrine should determine the choice of the one to be constituted1 even if he be the last in the order of the community4 ,but if 7which ,god forbid7 the whole community should agree to choose a person who will acquiesce in their vices1 and if those vices somehow become known to the ,bishop to whose diocese the place belongs1 or to the ,abbots or the faithful of the vicinity1 let them prevent the success of this conspiracy of the wicked1 and set a worthy steward over the house of ,god4 ,they may be sure that they will receive a good reward for this action if they do it with a pure intention and out of zeal for ,god2 as1 on the contrary1 they will sin if they fail to do it4 ,apr4 #ba--;,aug4 #ba--;,dec4 #ba ,once he has been constituted1 let the ,abbot always bear in mind what a burden he has undertaken and to whom he will have to give an account of his stewardship1 and let him know that his duty is rather to profit his brethren than to preside over them4 ,he must therefore be learned in the divine law1 that he may have a treasure of knowledge from which to bring forth new things and old4 ,he must be chaste1 sober and merciful4 ,let him exalt mercy above judgment1 that he himself may obtain mercy4 ,he should hate vices2 he should love the brethren4 ,in administering correction he should act prudently and not go to excess1 lest in seeking too eagerly to scrape off the rust he break the vessel4 ,let him keep his own frailty ever before his eyes and remember that the bruised reed must not be broken4 ,by this we do not mean that he should allow vices to grow2 on the contrary1 as we have already said1 he should eradicate them prudently and with charity1 in the way which may seem best in each case4 ,let him study rather to be loved than to be feared4 ,let him not be excitable and worried1 nor exacting and headstrong1 nor jealous and over-suspicious2 for then he is never at rest4 ,in his commands let him be prudent and considerate2 and whether the work which he enjoins concerns ,god or the world1 let him be discreet and moderate1 bearing in mind the discretion of holy ,jacob1 who said1 8,if ,i cause my flocks to be overdriven1 they will all die in one day40 ,taking this1 then1 and other examples of discretion1 the mother of virtues1 let him so temper all things that the strong may have something to strive after1 and the weak may not fall back in dismay4 ,and especially let him keep this ,rule in all its details1 so that after a good ministry he may hear from the ,lord what the good servant heard who gave his fellow-servants wheat in due season3 8,indeed1 ,i tell you1 he will set him over all his goods40 ,,chapter #fe ,on the ,prior of the ,monastery ,apr4 #bb--;,aug4 #bb--;,dec4 #bb ,it happens all too often that the constituting of a ,prior gives rise to grave scandals in monasteries4 ,for there are some who become inflated with the evil spirit of pride and consider themselves second ,abbots4 ,by usurping power they foster scandals and cause dissensions in the community4 ,especially does this happen in those places where the ,prior is constituted by the same ,bishop or the same ,abbots who constitute the ,abbot himself4 ,what an absurd procedure this is can easily be seen2 for it gives the ,prior an occasion for becoming proud from the very time of his constitution1 by putting the thought into his mind that he is freed from the authority of his ,abbot3 8,for10 he will say to himself1 8you were constituted by the same persons who constituted the ,abbot40 ,from this source are stirred up envy1 quarrels1 detraction1 rivalry1 dissensions and disorders4 ,for while the ,abbot and the ,prior are at variance1 their souls cannot but be endangered by this dissension2 and those who are under them1 currying favor with one side or the other1 go to ruin4 ,the guilt for this dangerous state of affairs rests on the heads of those whose action brought about such disorder4 ,apr4 #bc--;,aug4 #bc--;,dec4 #bc ,to us1 therefore1 it seems expedient for the preservation of peace and charity that the ,abbot have in his hands the full administration of his monastery4 ,and if possible let all the affairs of the monastery1 as we have already arranged1 be administered by deans according to the ,abbot's directions4 ,thus1 with the duties being shared by several1 no one person will become proud4 ,but if the circumstances of the place require it1 or if the community asks for it with reason and with humility1 and the ,abbot judges it to be expedient1 let the ,abbot himself constitute as his ,prior whomsoever he shall choose with the counsel of ,god-fearing brethren4 ,that ,prior1 however1 shall perform respectfully the duties enjoined on him by his ,abbot and do nothing against the ,abbot's will or direction2 for the more he is raised above the rest1 the more carefully should he observe the precepts of the ,rule4 ,if it should be found that the ,prior has serious faults1 or that he is deceived by his exaltation and yields to pride1 or if he should be proved to be a despiser of the ,holy ,rule1 let him be admonished verbally up to four times4 ,if he fails to amend1 let the correction of regular discipline be applied to him4 ,but if even then he does not reform1 let him be deposed from the office of ,prior and another be appointed in his place who is worthy of it4 ,and if afterwards he is not quiet and obedient in the community1 let him even be expelled from the monastery4 ,but the ,abbot1 for his part1 should bear in mind that he will have to render an account to ,god for all his judgments1 lest the flame of envy or jealousy be kindled in his soul4 ,,chapter #ff ,on the ,porters of the ,monastery ,apr4 #bd--;,aug4 #bd--;,dec4 #bd ,at the gate of the monastery let there be placed a wise old man1 who knows how to receive and to give a message1 and whose maturity will prevent him from straying about4 ,this porter should have a room near the gate1 so that those who come may always find someone at hand to attend to their business4 ,and as soon as anyone knocks or a poor man hails him1 let him answer 8,thanks be to ,god0 or 8,a blessing60 ,then let him attend to them promptly1 with all the meekness inspired by the fear of ,god and with the warmth of charity4 ,should the porter need help1 let him have one of the younger brethren4 ,if it can be done1 the monastery should be so established that all the necessary things1 such as water1 mill1 garden and various workshops1 may be within the enclosure1 so that there is no necessity for the monks to go about outside of it1 since that is not at all profitable for their souls4 ,we desire that this ,rule be read often in the community1 so that none of the brethren may excuse himself on the ground of ignorance4 ,,chapter #fg ,on ,brethren ,who ,are ,sent on a ,journey ,apr4 #be--;,aug4 #be--;,dec4 #be ,let the brethren who are sent on a journey commend themselves to the prayers of all the brethren and of the ,abbot2 and always at the last prayer of the ,work of ,god let a commemoration be made of all absent brethren4 ,when brethren return from a journey1 at the end of each canonical ,hour of the ,work of ,god on the day they return1 let them lie prostrate on the floor of the oratory and beg the prayers of all on account of any faults that may have surprised them on the road1 through the seeing or hearing of something evil1 or through idle talk4 ,and let no one presume to tell another whatever he may have seen or heard outside of the monastery1 because this causes very great harm4 ,but if anyone presumes to do so1 let him undergo the punishment of the ,rule4 ,and let him be punished likewise who would presume to leave the enclosure of the monastery and go anywhere or do anything1 however small1 without an order from the ,abbot4 ,,chapter #fh ,if a ,brother ,is ,commanded to ,do ,impossible ,things ,apr4 #bf--;,aug4 #bf--;,dec4 #bf ,if it happens that difficult or impossible tasks are laid on a brother1 let him nevertheless receive the order of the one in authority with all meekness and obedience4 ,but if he sees that the weight of the burden altogether exceeds the limit of his strength1 let him submit the reasons for his inability to the one who is over him in a quiet way and at an opportune time1 without pride1 resistance1 or contradiction4 ,and if after these representations the ,superior still persists in his decision and command1 let the subject know that this is for his good1 and let him obey out of love1 trusting in the help of ,god4 ,,chapter #fi ,that the ,monks ,presume ,not to ,defend ,one ,another ,apr4 #bg--;,aug4 #bg--;,dec4 #bg ,care must be taken that no monk presume on any ground to defend another monk in the monastery1 or as it were to take him under his protection1 even though they be united by some tie of blood-relationship4 ,let not the monks dare to do this in any way whatsoever1 because it may give rise to most serious scandals4 ,but if anyone breaks this rule1 let him be severely punished4 ,,chapter #gj ,that ,no ,one ,venture to ,punish at ,random ,apr4 #bh--;,aug4 #bh--;,dec4 #bh ,every occasion of presumption shall be avoided in the monastery1 and we decree that no one be allowed to excommunicate or to strike any of his brethren unless the ,abbot has given him the authority4 ,those who offend in this matter shall be rebuked in the presence of all1 that the rest may have fear4 ,but boys up to #ae years of age shall be carefully controlled and watched by all1 yet this too with all moderation and discretion4 ,anyone1 therefore1 who presumes without the ,abbot's instructions to punish those above that age or who loses his temper with the boys1 shall undergo the discipline of the ,rule2 for it is written1 8,do not to another what you would not want done to yourself40 ,,chapter #ga ,that the ,brethren ,be ,obedient to ,one ,another ,apr4 #bi--;,aug4 #bi--;,dec4 #bi ,not only is the boon of obedience to be shown by all to the ,abbot1 but the brethren are also to obey one another1 knowing that by this road of obedience they are going to ,god4 ,giving priority1 therefore1 to the commands of the ,abbot and of the ,superiors appointed by him 7to which we allow no private orders to be preferred71 for the rest let all the juniors obey their seniors with all charity and solicitude4 ,but if anyone is found contentious1 let him be corrected4 ,and if any brother1 for however small a cause1 is corrected in any way by the ,abbot or by any of his ,superiors1 or if he faintly perceives that the mind of any ,superior is angered or moved against him1 however little1 let him at once1 without delay1 prostrate himself on the ground at his feet and lie there making satisfaction until that emotion is quieted with a blessing4 ,but if anyone should disdain to do this1 let him undergo corporal punishment or1 if he is stubborn1 let him be expelled from the monastery4 ,,chapter #gb ,on the ,good ,zeal ,which ,monks ,ought to ,have ,apr4 #cj--;,aug4 #cj--;,dec4 #cj ,just as there is an evil zeal of bitterness which separates from ,god and leads to hell1 so there is a good zeal which separates from vices and leads to ,god and to life everlasting4 ,this zeal1 therefore1 the monks should practice with the most fervent love4 ,thus they should anticipate one another in honor2 most patiently endure one another's infirmities1 whether of body or of character2 vie in paying obedience one to another--no one following what he considers useful for himself1 but rather what benefits another--2 tender the charity of brotherhood chastely2 fear ,god in love2 love their ,abbot with a sincere and humble charity2 prefer nothing whatever to ,christ4 ,and may ,he bring us all together to life everlasting6 ,,chapter #gc ,on the ,fact ,that the ,full ,observance of ,justice ,is ,not ,established in ,this ,rule ,may #a--;,aug4 #ca--;,dec4 #ca ,now we have written this ,rule in order that by its observance in monasteries we may show that we have attained some degree of virtue and the rudiments of the religious life4 ,but for him who would hasten to the perfection of that life there are the teachings of the holy ,fathers1 the observance of which leads a man to the height of perfection4 ,for what page or what utterance of the divinely inspired books of the ,old and ,new ,testaments is not a most unerring rule for human life8 ,or what book of the holy ,catholic ,fathers does not loudly proclaim how we may come by a straight course to our ,creator8 ,then the ,conferences and the ,institutes and the ,lives of the ,fathers1 as also the ,rule of our holy ,father ,basil--what else are they but tools of virtue for right-living and obedient monks8 ,but for us who are lazy and ill-living and negligent they are a source of shame and confusion4 ,whoever you are1 therefore1 who are hastening to the heavenly homeland1 fulfil with the help of ,christ this minimum ,rule which we have written for beginners2 and then at length under ,god's protection you will attain to the loftier heights of doctrine and virtue which we have mentioned above4