Holy Rule for April 14
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St. Mary's Monastery
Apr 13, 2026, 5:40:46 PMApr 13
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 14, August 14, December 14
Chapter 60: On Priests Who May Wish to Live in the Monastery
If any ordained priest should ask to be received into the monastery, permission shall not be granted too readily. But if he is quite persistent in his request, let him know that he will have to observe the whole discipline of the Rule and that nothing will be relaxed in his favor, that it may be as it is written: "Friend, for what have you come (Matt. 26:50)?"
It shall be granted him, however, to stand next after the Abbot and to give blessings and to celebrate Mass, but only by order of the Abbot. Without such order let him not make any exceptions for himself, knowing that he is subject to the discipline of the Rule; but rather let him give an example of humility to all.
If there happens to be question of an appointment or of some business in the monastery, let him expect the rank due him according to the date of his entrance into the monastery, and not the place granted him out of reverence for the priesthood.
If any clerics, moved by the same desire, should wish to join the monastery, let them be placed in a middle rank. But they too are to be admitted only if they promise observance of the Rule and stability.
REFLECTION
One of the quintessential questions of the Holy Rule is that of Jesus: "Friend, for what have you come?" This question is not just for priests, but for each of us, for all Christians and all monastics.
The only acceptable answer to the question is: "To seek God." That might be rephrased in any of a number of ways, but that's the main event, the only game in town, the end all and be all of Benedictine monastic life: to seek God and to become saints.
It is very necessary, in stating that we seek God, to admit that we haven't altogether found Him yet, nor will we ever do so before death. Even in the beatific vision of heaven itself, we creatures will never, ever get to the root of our Creator, to the "ground zero" of God. Ain't gonna happen. We will just keep going deeper and loving more for eternity. The more we know, the more we will love, but we shall never know all!
Another way of saying this is that we need to come to the Holy Rule and to the Gospel and to Christ admitting how frighteningly little we DO know. Truly, with Socrates, we ought to know enough to know that we know nothing! Realizing that the very best of us has nothing but the barest tip of the iceberg is a great and tender mercy, indeed!
I heartily recommend it. It is the only position from which one may learn anything at all. Get too smart (or think you have!) and you will never listen, failing yet another Benedictine hallmark. You won't learn because all your energy will go into composing your rejoinder or response. Such people do not learn. They merely joust. Life is more than that, much more. Tons more.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 14, August 14, December 14
Chapter 60: On Priests Who May Wish to Live in the Monastery
If any ordained priest should ask to be received into the monastery, permission shall not be granted too readily. But if he is quite persistent in his request, let him know that he will have to observe the whole discipline of the Rule and that nothing will be relaxed in his favor, that it may be as it is written: "Friend, for what have you come (Matt. 26:50)?"
It shall be granted him, however, to stand next after the Abbot and to give blessings and to celebrate Mass, but only by order of the Abbot. Without such order let him not make any exceptions for himself, knowing that he is subject to the discipline of the Rule; but rather let him give an example of humility to all.
If there happens to be question of an appointment or of some business in the monastery, let him expect the rank due him according to the date of his entrance into the monastery, and not the place granted him out of reverence for the priesthood.
If any clerics, moved by the same desire, should wish to join the monastery, let them be placed in a middle rank. But they too are to be admitted only if they promise observance of the Rule and stability.
REFLECTION
One of the quintessential questions of the Holy Rule is that of Jesus: "Friend, for what have you come?" This question is not just for priests, but for each of us, for all Christians and all monastics.
The only acceptable answer to the question is: "To seek God." That might be rephrased in any of a number of ways, but that's the main event, the only game in town, the end all and be all of Benedictine monastic life: to seek God and to become saints.
It is very necessary, in stating that we seek God, to admit that we haven't altogether found Him yet, nor will we ever do so before death. Even in the beatific vision of heaven itself, we creatures will never, ever get to the root of our Creator, to the "ground zero" of God. Ain't gonna happen. We will just keep going deeper and loving more for eternity. The more we know, the more we will love, but we shall never know all!
Another way of saying this is that we need to come to the Holy Rule and to the Gospel and to Christ admitting how frighteningly little we DO know. Truly, with Socrates, we ought to know enough to know that we know nothing! Realizing that the very best of us has nothing but the barest tip of the iceberg is a great and tender mercy, indeed!
I heartily recommend it. It is the only position from which one may learn anything at all. Get too smart (or think you have!) and you will never listen, failing yet another Benedictine hallmark. You won't learn because all your energy will go into composing your rejoinder or response. Such people do not learn. They merely joust. Life is more than that, much more. Tons more.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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