Let us set to work, by the help of God
CHAPTER I. Of the several kinds of Monks and their way of life 8 Jan. 9 May. 8 Sept. It is well known that there...
PROLOGUE (VII) Passionibus Christi per patientiam participemur
7 Jan. 8 May. 7 Sept. We have, therefore, to establish a school of the Lord’s service, in the setting forth of which we hope...
PROLOGUE (VI) By the help of His grace
6 Jan. 7 May. 6 Sept. Since then, brethren, we have asked of the Lord who is to inhabit His temple, we have heard His...
PROLOGUE (V) Quid tibi vis faciam?
5 Jan. 6 May. 5 Sept. Hence also the Lord saith in the Gospel: “He that heareth these words of Mine, and doeth them, is...
PROLOGUE (IV) In him who strengtheneth me
4 Jan. 5 May. 4 Sept. And if we wish to dwell in the tabernacle of His kingdom, we shall by no means reach it...
PROLOGUE (III)
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,...
PROLOGUE (II)
2 Jan. 3 May. 2 Sept. Let us then at length arise, since the Scripture stirreth us up, saying: “It is time now for us...
The Name of Jesus Makes a Contemplative Man
Richard Rolle My favourite representative of devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus is the delightfully eccentric and utterly incandescent Richard Rolle, a mystic of...
Of the good zeal which Monks ought to have
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,...
That the Brethren be obedient one to the other
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...
That no one presume to strike another
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....
The Passion of the Infant Christ
The Child in Egypt The name Egypt occurs three times in today’s gospel. “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt” (Mt...
If a Brother be commanded to do Impossibilities (II)
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...
If a Brother be commanded to do Impossibilities (I)
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...
Wreathe the Door of Thy Heart
December 26 Saint Stephen the Protomartyr The painting is by Blessed Fra Angelico (1400-1455). Blessed Fra Angelico’s paintings are theological; they are a holy preaching...
The grace of the mystery is not past
Mother Mectilde de Bar (1614-1698) gave this Chapter conference on 17 December 1671. I share it for those who may be looking for a text...
And straight I called unto mind that it was Christmas day
The Burning Babe By Saint Robert Southwell, SJ As I in hoary winter’s night stood shivering in the snow, Surpris’d I was with sudden heat...
One must burn with love
In her conference for the Vigil of Christmas 1694, Mother Mectilde de Bar emphasizes that the Incarnation is God’s gratuitous expression of love for each...
Pax vera descendit
This day is the true peace come down unto us from heaven. * This day throughout the whole world the skies drop down sweetness. V....