Holy Rule for April 20
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St. Mary's Monastery
Apr 19, 2026, 5:34:32 PM (11 days ago) Apr 19
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 20, August 20, December 20
Chapter 64: On Constituting an Abbess (1-6)
In the constituting of an Abbess let this plan always be followed, that the office be conferred on the one who is chosen either by the whole community unanimously in the fear of God or else by a part of the community, however small, if its counsel is more wholesome.
Merit of life and wisdom of doctrine should determine the choice of the one to be constituted, even if she be the last of the order of the community. But if (which God forbid) the whole community should agree to choose a person who will acquiesce in their vices, and if those vices somehow become known to the Bishop to whose diocese the place belongs, or to the Abbots, Abbesses or the faithful of the vicinity, let them prevent the success of this conspiracy of the wicked, and set a worthy steward over the house of God. They may be sure that they will receive a good reward for this action if they do it with a pure intention and out of zeal for God; as, on the contrary, they will sin if they fail to do it.
REFLECTION
There is an old monastic saying that holds that "The community gets the Abbot it deserves and the vocations it deserves." Like most generalizations, this one has kernels of both falsity and truth. Heresy is obviously taking a small truth and making it the only truth and this is no different. It is rash (even if sometimes seemingly handy!) to try to fit the inscrutable workings of the Holy Spirit, of our all-merciful God and His love into such a small compartment of phrase! There is infinitely more to God's loving plan than that.
God has a plan from all eternity which none may ultimately thwart. Even those who seek to impede that plan serve only to further its cause, whether they want to or not, whether they know it or not. God can use anything. God uses all to work for the good. God can turn absolutely every human event, good or evil, to useful means to further that perfect plan of love, mercy, salvation and good- yes, even joy!- for all who love Him.
However, there IS that kernel of truth! I have certainly lived through times myself and seen them elsewhere which gave frightening credence to one or both halves of the axiom! There is a human side to these things, God DOES use human means to accomplish His perfect Will and we, let us face it, are far from perfect ourselves!
On that human side of things, like does tend to attract like. A house where holiness is at least frequent, if not common, is likely to elect an Abbot good and holy enough to nurture that. Unfortunately, houses may elect one Abbot to counterbalance the effects, (not always delightful,) of his predecessor, so a lot of things come into play here. A house where holiness abounds is likely to attract holy vocations.
The grim truth that the saying does NOT address is that even good and holy houses are thirsting badly for vocations these days. Something else, something other, something strange has been added to imbalance the equation and no one can be sure just what. Pray, pray with all your hearts for vocations, good and holy vocations to the monastic life on every level, as monks, as nuns, as Oblates. With our dimmed vision looking through glasses darkly, we can neither see nor know perfectly what wonders of His Will God is working now, much less why! Just pray for His Will for all of us!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 20, August 20, December 20
Chapter 64: On Constituting an Abbess (1-6)
In the constituting of an Abbess let this plan always be followed, that the office be conferred on the one who is chosen either by the whole community unanimously in the fear of God or else by a part of the community, however small, if its counsel is more wholesome.
Merit of life and wisdom of doctrine should determine the choice of the one to be constituted, even if she be the last of the order of the community. But if (which God forbid) the whole community should agree to choose a person who will acquiesce in their vices, and if those vices somehow become known to the Bishop to whose diocese the place belongs, or to the Abbots, Abbesses or the faithful of the vicinity, let them prevent the success of this conspiracy of the wicked, and set a worthy steward over the house of God. They may be sure that they will receive a good reward for this action if they do it with a pure intention and out of zeal for God; as, on the contrary, they will sin if they fail to do it.
REFLECTION
There is an old monastic saying that holds that "The community gets the Abbot it deserves and the vocations it deserves." Like most generalizations, this one has kernels of both falsity and truth. Heresy is obviously taking a small truth and making it the only truth and this is no different. It is rash (even if sometimes seemingly handy!) to try to fit the inscrutable workings of the Holy Spirit, of our all-merciful God and His love into such a small compartment of phrase! There is infinitely more to God's loving plan than that.
God has a plan from all eternity which none may ultimately thwart. Even those who seek to impede that plan serve only to further its cause, whether they want to or not, whether they know it or not. God can use anything. God uses all to work for the good. God can turn absolutely every human event, good or evil, to useful means to further that perfect plan of love, mercy, salvation and good- yes, even joy!- for all who love Him.
However, there IS that kernel of truth! I have certainly lived through times myself and seen them elsewhere which gave frightening credence to one or both halves of the axiom! There is a human side to these things, God DOES use human means to accomplish His perfect Will and we, let us face it, are far from perfect ourselves!
On that human side of things, like does tend to attract like. A house where holiness is at least frequent, if not common, is likely to elect an Abbot good and holy enough to nurture that. Unfortunately, houses may elect one Abbot to counterbalance the effects, (not always delightful,) of his predecessor, so a lot of things come into play here. A house where holiness abounds is likely to attract holy vocations.
The grim truth that the saying does NOT address is that even good and holy houses are thirsting badly for vocations these days. Something else, something other, something strange has been added to imbalance the equation and no one can be sure just what. Pray, pray with all your hearts for vocations, good and holy vocations to the monastic life on every level, as monks, as nuns, as Oblates. With our dimmed vision looking through glasses darkly, we can neither see nor know perfectly what wonders of His Will God is working now, much less why! Just pray for His Will for all of us!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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