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Benedictines, Trappists, and Cistercians all adhere to the Rule of St. Benedict as their inspiration in the monastic way of life. Indeed, ever since St. Benedict’s time, renewal movements have frequently taken special guidance from the Rule’s profound vision of what it means to be a group of Christians living and laboring together in service of the Father’s will. Originally written in the 6th-century for his monks in Monte Cassino, Italy, the Rule combines the traditional teaching and wisdom of ancient monasticism with its St. Benedict’s own genius for the practical concerns of daily living. It is especially marked by moderation and a compassionate understanding of human frailty – virtues necessary for religious life in every age. Much of Benedict's detailed legislation cannot be applied directly to the conditions of modern life; for that reason, the Church now requires that each monastic congregation formulate and submit updated Constitutions that establish concrete norms for its own daily life. Although the circumstances of history force ongoing discernment and reappropriation, the Rule remains deeply relevant, and will always shape the spirit and style of Cistercian life. St. Benedict’s Rule focuses its spiritual teaching on a theology of God’s call, laid out in the Prologue. This “theology of listening” also expresses itself in a concrete emphasis on the virtues of obedience and humility. Complementing this demand upon the spiritual orientation of the monks, the Rule’s particular regulation of the monastery’s life – of its work, prayer schedule, and disciplinary customs – is characterized throughout by a spirit of moderation, order, and discretion. Highlights of the Rule of Benedict “We intend to establish a school for the Lord's service. In drawing up its regulation, we do not to intend to set down anything harsh or burdensome. But the benefit of all concerned may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love.” (Prologue 45-46) “The abbot is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery. . . .Therefore, he must never teach or decree or command anything that would deviate from the Lord¹s instruction.” (2:2-4) “The first step of humility is that a man keeps the fear of God always before his eyes and never allows it to be forgotten.” (2:10) “Do not aspire to be called holy before you really are, but first be holy so that you may truly be called so.” (4:62) “All necessary items should be given and requested at proper times so that no one may be disquieted or distressed in the house of God.” (31:19) “Obedience is a blessing to be shown by all, not only to the abbot, but also to one another as brothers, since we know that it is by this way of obedience that we make our way to God.” (71:1) |
