Holy Rule for March 21
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St. Mary's Monastery
Mar 20, 2026, 5:32:04 PMMar 20
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
March 21, July 21, November 20
Chapter 42: That No One Speak After Compline
Monastics ought to be zealous for silence at all times, but especially during the hours of the night. For every season, therefore, whether there be fasting or two meals, let the program be as follows: If it be a season when there are two meals, then as soon as they have risen from supper they shall all sit together, and one of them shall read the Conferences or the Lives of the Fathers or something else that may edify the hearers; not the Heptateuch or the Books of Kings, however, because it will not be expedient for weak minds to hear those parts of Scripture at that hour; but they shall be read at other times.
If it be a day of fast, then having allowed a short interval after Vespers they shall proceed at once to the reading of the Conferences, as prescribed above; four or five pages being read, or as much as time permits, so that during the delay provided by this reading all may come together, including those who may have been occupied in some work assigned them.
When all, therefore, are gathered together, let them say Compline; and when they come out from Compline, no one shall be allowed to say anything from that time on. And if anyone should be found evading this rule of silence, let her undergo severe punishment. An exception shall be made if the need of speaking to guests should arise or if the Abbess should give someone an order. But even this should be done with the utmost gravity and the most becoming restraint.
REFLECTION
I certainly can sing and have sung the praises of the Grand Silence. It is lovely and warm and wonderful and familiar and comforting. All of that! But I also know that for many Oblates to read those words will only underscore painfully the fact that many cannot have such a silence to restore them. So, what about them? What does this chapter have for those whose lives and vocations make Grand Silence an impossible dream?
Well, first, and most briefly, we all have to seek out and cherish the moments of silence and solitude that may find us from time to time. Our society teaches us to be surrounded by noise. There may be times that we can diminish that noise, or when its removal may surprise us. Learn to make the most of such times! Try as best you can to increase them, so long as you are not stepping on the toes of others, like your family!
But, perhaps even more importantly, those who are denied this silence need to be keenly aware that the sacrifice of a thing often gives greater spiritual growth than its possession would. That is, admittedly, terribly cold comfort, but it is so very true. The longing heart, the broken heart, the unfulfilled heart, these are all very ripe fields for the love and mercy of God, not that such mercy and love will necessarily be felt! Often, quite the reverse!
God loves the broken heart with the most tender of compassions: its breached walls make His entry easier. That is why trust and faith are so important at times of deprivation or feelings of desolation or aridity. It is through trust that we reap the benefits, through knowing, even though it may not make us feel any better, that Christ is mercy, is not mean, is not absent and is NEVER uncaring. Never. As St. John Chrysostom said: "God is never the enemy of His creatures."
Jesus told St. Faustina that He was even more close to her in times of desolation, when she could not feel Him, than He was in the closest of ecstasies. He also told her, when she was in the dull ache of suffering days that seemed endless, that in heaven she would long for such days. Why? Because then she would know their worth!
Trust me, beloveds, I know how this can sound. There have been (and still are!) times in my life when hearing words like those I write this morning could only trigger aversion in me. But they are true. Sounding like cold platitudes, I know, but true!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
March 21, July 21, November 20
Chapter 42: That No One Speak After Compline
Monastics ought to be zealous for silence at all times, but especially during the hours of the night. For every season, therefore, whether there be fasting or two meals, let the program be as follows: If it be a season when there are two meals, then as soon as they have risen from supper they shall all sit together, and one of them shall read the Conferences or the Lives of the Fathers or something else that may edify the hearers; not the Heptateuch or the Books of Kings, however, because it will not be expedient for weak minds to hear those parts of Scripture at that hour; but they shall be read at other times.
If it be a day of fast, then having allowed a short interval after Vespers they shall proceed at once to the reading of the Conferences, as prescribed above; four or five pages being read, or as much as time permits, so that during the delay provided by this reading all may come together, including those who may have been occupied in some work assigned them.
When all, therefore, are gathered together, let them say Compline; and when they come out from Compline, no one shall be allowed to say anything from that time on. And if anyone should be found evading this rule of silence, let her undergo severe punishment. An exception shall be made if the need of speaking to guests should arise or if the Abbess should give someone an order. But even this should be done with the utmost gravity and the most becoming restraint.
REFLECTION
I certainly can sing and have sung the praises of the Grand Silence. It is lovely and warm and wonderful and familiar and comforting. All of that! But I also know that for many Oblates to read those words will only underscore painfully the fact that many cannot have such a silence to restore them. So, what about them? What does this chapter have for those whose lives and vocations make Grand Silence an impossible dream?
Well, first, and most briefly, we all have to seek out and cherish the moments of silence and solitude that may find us from time to time. Our society teaches us to be surrounded by noise. There may be times that we can diminish that noise, or when its removal may surprise us. Learn to make the most of such times! Try as best you can to increase them, so long as you are not stepping on the toes of others, like your family!
But, perhaps even more importantly, those who are denied this silence need to be keenly aware that the sacrifice of a thing often gives greater spiritual growth than its possession would. That is, admittedly, terribly cold comfort, but it is so very true. The longing heart, the broken heart, the unfulfilled heart, these are all very ripe fields for the love and mercy of God, not that such mercy and love will necessarily be felt! Often, quite the reverse!
God loves the broken heart with the most tender of compassions: its breached walls make His entry easier. That is why trust and faith are so important at times of deprivation or feelings of desolation or aridity. It is through trust that we reap the benefits, through knowing, even though it may not make us feel any better, that Christ is mercy, is not mean, is not absent and is NEVER uncaring. Never. As St. John Chrysostom said: "God is never the enemy of His creatures."
Jesus told St. Faustina that He was even more close to her in times of desolation, when she could not feel Him, than He was in the closest of ecstasies. He also told her, when she was in the dull ache of suffering days that seemed endless, that in heaven she would long for such days. Why? Because then she would know their worth!
Trust me, beloveds, I know how this can sound. There have been (and still are!) times in my life when hearing words like those I write this morning could only trigger aversion in me. But they are true. Sounding like cold platitudes, I know, but true!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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