Holy Rule for February 10
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St. Mary's Monastery
Feb 9, 2026, 5:47:53 PM (11 days ago) Feb 9
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
February 10, June 11, October 11
Chapter 8: On the Divine Office during the Night
In the winter time, that is from the Calends of November until Easter, the sisters shall rise at what is calculated to be the eighth hour of the night, so that they may sleep somewhat longer than half the night and rise with their rest completed. And the time that remains after the Night Office should be spent in study by those sisters who need a better knowledge of the Psalter or the lessons.
From Easter to the aforesaid Calends of November, the hour of rising should be so arranged that the Morning Office, which is to be said at daybreak, will follow the Night Office after a very short interval, during which they may go out for the necessities of nature.
REFLECTION
In St. Benedict's time, and for centuries afterwards, life on a self-sustaining farm, which monasteries were supposed to be, was far more difficult and time consuming than it would be today. The simplest things that we now do with the flick of a switch were big deals, involving lots of human workers and every available daylight hour. Hence, the monks got up early, very early, to get in much of their monastic day before the sun (and the critters!) rose for the day. There was, of course, a penitential aspect to this early rising, too, and the ancient Christian practice of the night vigil.
There's at least a possible hint for Oblates of today in all this. Get up a bit earlier if you can, and devote those silent and dark morning hours or minutes to your monastic endeavors. Knock off a late TV favorite and go to bed a tad earlier. We always find time for what we love most. If, however, one is married and has a spouse that doesn't want one to blissfully retire at 7:30 or so, this will not work. Marriage is a primary, sacramental vocation and demands precedence.
Two very human glimpses into the personality of St. Benedict here. He is thoughtful and kind, making sure the monastics have time for a bathroom run and he is not prudish about mentioning it. It’s part of the human life and part of family life. As casually as a mother asks young children if anybody "has to go" before a trip, he throws out mention of the fact that not everyone could make it through two long services without great discomfort!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
February 10, June 11, October 11
Chapter 8: On the Divine Office during the Night
In the winter time, that is from the Calends of November until Easter, the sisters shall rise at what is calculated to be the eighth hour of the night, so that they may sleep somewhat longer than half the night and rise with their rest completed. And the time that remains after the Night Office should be spent in study by those sisters who need a better knowledge of the Psalter or the lessons.
From Easter to the aforesaid Calends of November, the hour of rising should be so arranged that the Morning Office, which is to be said at daybreak, will follow the Night Office after a very short interval, during which they may go out for the necessities of nature.
REFLECTION
In St. Benedict's time, and for centuries afterwards, life on a self-sustaining farm, which monasteries were supposed to be, was far more difficult and time consuming than it would be today. The simplest things that we now do with the flick of a switch were big deals, involving lots of human workers and every available daylight hour. Hence, the monks got up early, very early, to get in much of their monastic day before the sun (and the critters!) rose for the day. There was, of course, a penitential aspect to this early rising, too, and the ancient Christian practice of the night vigil.
There's at least a possible hint for Oblates of today in all this. Get up a bit earlier if you can, and devote those silent and dark morning hours or minutes to your monastic endeavors. Knock off a late TV favorite and go to bed a tad earlier. We always find time for what we love most. If, however, one is married and has a spouse that doesn't want one to blissfully retire at 7:30 or so, this will not work. Marriage is a primary, sacramental vocation and demands precedence.
Two very human glimpses into the personality of St. Benedict here. He is thoughtful and kind, making sure the monastics have time for a bathroom run and he is not prudish about mentioning it. It’s part of the human life and part of family life. As casually as a mother asks young children if anybody "has to go" before a trip, he throws out mention of the fact that not everyone could make it through two long services without great discomfort!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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