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Holy Rule for February 27
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St. Mary's Monastery
Feb 26, 2025, 5:17:52 PMFeb 26
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
February 27 (or 28), June 29, October 29
Chapter 22: How the Sisters Are to Sleep
Let each one sleep in a separate bed. Let them receive bedding suitable to their manner of life, according to the Abbess's directions. If possible let all sleep in one place; but if the number does not allow this, let them take their rest by tens or twenties with the seniors who have charge of them.
A candle shall be kept burning in the room until morning. Let them sleep clothed and girded with belts or cords-but not with their knives at their sides, 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 God, yet with all gravity and decorum.
The younger shall not have beds next to one another, but among those of the older ones. When they rise for the Work of God let them gently encourage one another, that the drowsy may have no excuse.
REFLECTION
Hastening "yet will all gravity and decorum" has prompted many a community joke, many a wry comment as one ran most ungracefully, parts of the habit flapping wildly in the breeze, to whatever the bell was about to make one late for! St. Benedict far antedates the Three Stooges, but he still took precautions to ensure that we would not look EXACTLY like Moe, Larry and Curly when we went to choir or dinner! Admittedly, some of our human tendency still arises to give a partial glimpse of that comedic trio, but, as always, the picture is balanced!
In the dormitory, the elderly may have problems during the night if their health is declining. Hale and hearty (and hopefully easily awakened!) juniors nearby promise them assistance, if needed. Of course, if you want a humorous take on the knives issue, it may have been to prevent mayhem and murder of snorers, an idea which has occurred to many light sleepers!
Dormitory sleeping is a thing of the past in our Order today, but it’s nice to see that thoughtfulness behind its original expression in the Holy Rule. There's a bit of the mother in St. Benedict, going out of his way to mention a small detail like not sleeping with knives. It is worthy of note, however, that St. Benedict, as always is MODERATELY maternal, not neurotically so! He doesn't get all bent out of shape, but he cares greatly and deeply.
One of the most beautiful images in this passage is the exhortation to "gently encourage one another" at the hour of rising. Remember that the strictest silence of all prevailed at this time. Now picture the monastics gently encouraging one another! With no words, there had to be a lot of touch, a lot of gentle smiles, a lot of warmth and care expressed NON-verbally.
A very good idea of how loving a monastic is can be had by disturbing their silence (or sleep, I imagine!!) Is the reaction cross and withering? Watch out for that one! Is there a smile, even a warm one, a reaction of sweetness? Well, when silence is over, that is a monastic to whose words you may want to listen carefully.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
February 27 (or 28), June 29, October 29
Chapter 22: How the Sisters Are to Sleep
Let each one sleep in a separate bed. Let them receive bedding suitable to their manner of life, according to the Abbess's directions. If possible let all sleep in one place; but if the number does not allow this, let them take their rest by tens or twenties with the seniors who have charge of them.
A candle shall be kept burning in the room until morning. Let them sleep clothed and girded with belts or cords-but not with their knives at their sides, 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 God, yet with all gravity and decorum.
The younger shall not have beds next to one another, but among those of the older ones. When they rise for the Work of God let them gently encourage one another, that the drowsy may have no excuse.
REFLECTION
Hastening "yet will all gravity and decorum" has prompted many a community joke, many a wry comment as one ran most ungracefully, parts of the habit flapping wildly in the breeze, to whatever the bell was about to make one late for! St. Benedict far antedates the Three Stooges, but he still took precautions to ensure that we would not look EXACTLY like Moe, Larry and Curly when we went to choir or dinner! Admittedly, some of our human tendency still arises to give a partial glimpse of that comedic trio, but, as always, the picture is balanced!
In the dormitory, the elderly may have problems during the night if their health is declining. Hale and hearty (and hopefully easily awakened!) juniors nearby promise them assistance, if needed. Of course, if you want a humorous take on the knives issue, it may have been to prevent mayhem and murder of snorers, an idea which has occurred to many light sleepers!
Dormitory sleeping is a thing of the past in our Order today, but it’s nice to see that thoughtfulness behind its original expression in the Holy Rule. There's a bit of the mother in St. Benedict, going out of his way to mention a small detail like not sleeping with knives. It is worthy of note, however, that St. Benedict, as always is MODERATELY maternal, not neurotically so! He doesn't get all bent out of shape, but he cares greatly and deeply.
One of the most beautiful images in this passage is the exhortation to "gently encourage one another" at the hour of rising. Remember that the strictest silence of all prevailed at this time. Now picture the monastics gently encouraging one another! With no words, there had to be a lot of touch, a lot of gentle smiles, a lot of warmth and care expressed NON-verbally.
A very good idea of how loving a monastic is can be had by disturbing their silence (or sleep, I imagine!!) Is the reaction cross and withering? Watch out for that one! Is there a smile, even a warm one, a reaction of sweetness? Well, when silence is over, that is a monastic to whose words you may want to listen carefully.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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