April 2004 Christian Spirituality      Continued from previous issue By George A Lane SJ

Continue from ...... BENEDICTINE SPIRITUALITY This love of God can be practiced right within the monastery, which should then strive to be a perfectly self-sufficient institution. "The monastery, if possible, should be so constructed that all things necessary may be contained within it, water, a mill, a garden, a bakery, and the various worships, so that there may be no need for the monks to go abroad, for this is not at all healthful for their souls". A direct apostolate of service to the neighbour was not part of the original vision of Benedict. Another essential point in the original plan is that monastic life is organised according to rule. Benedict did not want each monk going his own way; the Holy Bible would govern and determine the way of life in the monastery. The abbot himself was under the rule, not over it. This counteracted the unorganised and often disorderly lives of many monks at that time. The Rule also prescribed a certain moderation and discretion in all things. A life of controlled simplicity with sufficient food and clothing was noticeably different from the often outlandish austerities of some of the Eastern monks. Moderation and discretion are essential and are often noted as characteristic elements of Benedict's way of life. The Holy Rule also prescribed the daily order in the monastery; it did not encourage individuality, rather community living with the most of the monks doing the same thing at the same time. Benedict had the older monks sleep with the younger ones to be sure they all got up when the rising bell rang. Everyone came to the choir at the same time; and if someone was late, he had to sit in a special place conspicuous to all. Stability was another important aspect of the Benedictine life. The social flux and disorder of the times was surely one determining factor in this element of monastic life. Monks would vow stability to one monastery and then live out their lives in that same house. Stable institutions were not common in southern Europe at this time. In this context stability was a very valuable thing. What sort of social structure existed in the monastic community? First, there was the abbot. He was the father of the community, the superior; and he was permanently assigned in order to give the continuity, stability, unity, and consistency desired in the monastery. Obedience was vowed to the abbot as to Christ. The monastery itself was thought of as a home. The vow of stability made it a personal stable society. And it is interesting to note that Benedict's Rule is drawn up for one monastery, not for a monastic order. It was only later that the Benedictines were considered an order. This idea of the monastery as a home replaced all the peculiarities of anchorites' huts, stylites' columns, and pilgrims' wanderings from one place to another. Since the monks thought of themselves as a family, their numbers were restricted to keep the monastry within family proportions. When they grew too numerous, some branched off and started a new foundation. It is important to recall that all the monks were originally laymen. Chapter 62 of the Holy Rule says clearly, "If an abbot desires to have a priest or a deacon ordained for his community, let him choose from among his monks one who is worthy to perform the priestly office." But the priest, if there is to be one in the community, is to have no preference or precedence over anybody else.

- To Be Continued -