Hearken, O my son
PROLOGUE OF OUR MOST HOLY FATHER SAINT BENEDICT TO HIS RULE 1 Jan. 2 May. 1 Sept Hearken, O my son, to the precepts of...
Of ends and of beginnings (LXXIII)
CHAPTER LXXIII. That the whole observance of Perfection is not set down in this Rule 1 May. 31 Aug. 31 Dec. We have written this...
They used to call him God-beloved
CHAPTER LXXII. Of the good zeal which Monks ought to have 30 Apr. 30 Aug. 30 Dec. As there is an evil zeal of bitterness,...
Ut obedientes sibi sint invicem
CHAPTER LXXI. That the Brethren be obedient one to the other 29 Apr. 29 Aug. 29 Dec. Not only is the excellence of obedience to...
Cum omni mensura et ratione
CHAPTER LXX. That no one presume to strike another 28 Apr. 28 Aug. 28 Dec. Let every occasion of presumption be banished from the Monastery....
Congregavit nos in unum Christi amor
CHAPTER LXIX. That no one presume to defend another in the Monastery 27 Apr. 27 Aug. 27 Dec. Care must be taken that on no...
Ex caritate, confidens de adiutorio Dei
CHAPTER LXVIII. If a Brother be commanded to do Impossibilities 26 Apr. 26 Aug. 26 Dec. If on any brother there be laid commands that...
Propter pacis caritatisque custodiam
23 Apr. 23 Aug. 23 Dec. We foresee, therefore, that it is expedient for the preservation of peace and charity, that the ordering of the...
The unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
CHAPTER LXV. Of the Prior of the Monastery 22 Apr. 22 Aug. 22 Dec. It happeneth very often that by the appointment of the Prior...
New Things and Old
21 Apr. 21 Aug. 21 Dec. Let him that hath been appointed Abbot always bear in mind what a burden he hath received, and to...
Sent to sustain and console others (LXIV:1)
CHAPTER LXIV. Of the Appointment of the Abbot 20 Apr. 20 Aug. 20 Dec. In the appointing of an Abbot, let this principle always be...
Castitatem amare
It is fitting on this feast of Saint Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr, to offer some random thoughts on chastity, the joyful virtue. Chastity leads...
Heroic confidence in the midst of impossibilities
June 17th was the dies natalis of Marie-Adèle Garnier, Mother Mary of St. Peter, Foundress of the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of...
Behold, I am here
3 Jan. 4 May. 3 Sept. And the Lord, seeking His own workman in the multitude of the people to whom He thus crieth out,...
Lollygaggers Need Not Apply
Prologue of Our Most Holy Father Benedict to His Rule 2 Jan. 3 May. 2 Sept. Let us then at length arise, since the Scripture...
Beginning Afresh
Benedictines Always Beginning Again We began today, once again, the reading of the Holy Rule from the beginning. In Benedictine life, we are always beginning...
Thy mercy dost compass me about
Nicholas and Benjamin were welcomed as postulants today, Divine Mercy Sunday. Quasimodo Sunday: The Feast of Divine Mercy In the early Church, the newly-baptized would...
St Francis de Sales & the Rule of St Benedict
Holiness Is Symphonic The symphonic quality of holiness is a glorious thing orchestrated in Christ, by the Holy Ghost, to the praise of the Father....
Reprove, entreat, rebuke
13 Jan. 14 May. 13 Sept. For the Abbot in his doctrine ought always to observe the bidding of the Apostle, wherein he says: “Reprove,...
And never to despair of God’s mercy
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases....