Holy Rule for May 13
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St. Mary's Monastery
May 12, 2026, 5:16:31 PMMay 12
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
January 12, May 13, September 12
Chapter 2: What Kind of Person the Abbess Ought to Be (16-22)
Let her make no distinction of persons in the monastery. Let her not love one more than another, unless it be one whom she finds better in good works or in obedience. Let her not advance one of noble birth ahead of one who was formerly a slave, unless there be some other reasonable ground for it. But if the Abbess for just reason think fit to do so, let her advance one of any rank whatever. Otherwise let them keep their due places; because, whether slaves or free, we are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28) and bear in equal burden of service in the army of the same Lord. For with God there is no respect of persons (Rom. 2:11). Only for one reason are we preferred in His sight: if we be found better than others in good works and humility. Therefore let the Abbess show equal love to all and impose the same discipline on all according to their deserts.
REFLECTION
Choosing favorites is a terribly risky business for any of us, parent, abbot or supervisor. Our own self-image (or lack thereof,) can get very tangled in this process. If we choose wrongly, it empowers one and strangles the rest, to one degree or another.
I can only recall two monastic favorites who were actually loved by all and really were fabulous people. I have lived with (and under!) other abbatial favorites who were not, who fooled no one but the abbot. Of the families I have known , the favored child was not always the best. However, I warmly recall a family of 11 children where no favorites existed. Say a prayer for them, please!
St. Benedict knew well the human bent to favoritism. He quite rightly points out that this is one of the many human tendencies we have to conquer. If we don't, it will harm us and harm those under our care, including the favored one.
Favoritism harms the one in charge, too. Since others can see all too well what the parent or boss cannot, it diminishes their trust in the authority figure. If she can be so glaringly wrong about this, why not about something else? Every person is fallible, but a superior can emphasize her own limitations by poor choices. That doesn't make governing or being governed any easier for anyone.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
January 12, May 13, September 12
Chapter 2: What Kind of Person the Abbess Ought to Be (16-22)
Let her make no distinction of persons in the monastery. Let her not love one more than another, unless it be one whom she finds better in good works or in obedience. Let her not advance one of noble birth ahead of one who was formerly a slave, unless there be some other reasonable ground for it. But if the Abbess for just reason think fit to do so, let her advance one of any rank whatever. Otherwise let them keep their due places; because, whether slaves or free, we are all one in Christ (Gal. 3:28) and bear in equal burden of service in the army of the same Lord. For with God there is no respect of persons (Rom. 2:11). Only for one reason are we preferred in His sight: if we be found better than others in good works and humility. Therefore let the Abbess show equal love to all and impose the same discipline on all according to their deserts.
REFLECTION
Choosing favorites is a terribly risky business for any of us, parent, abbot or supervisor. Our own self-image (or lack thereof,) can get very tangled in this process. If we choose wrongly, it empowers one and strangles the rest, to one degree or another.
I can only recall two monastic favorites who were actually loved by all and really were fabulous people. I have lived with (and under!) other abbatial favorites who were not, who fooled no one but the abbot. Of the families I have known , the favored child was not always the best. However, I warmly recall a family of 11 children where no favorites existed. Say a prayer for them, please!
St. Benedict knew well the human bent to favoritism. He quite rightly points out that this is one of the many human tendencies we have to conquer. If we don't, it will harm us and harm those under our care, including the favored one.
Favoritism harms the one in charge, too. Since others can see all too well what the parent or boss cannot, it diminishes their trust in the authority figure. If she can be so glaringly wrong about this, why not about something else? Every person is fallible, but a superior can emphasize her own limitations by poor choices. That doesn't make governing or being governed any easier for anyone.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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