Holy Rule for August 24
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St. Mary's Monastery
Aug 23, 2026, 5:06:11 PM (7 days ago) Aug 23
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 24, August 24, December 24
Chapter 66: On the Porters of the Monastery
At the gate of the monastery let there be placed a wise old woman, who knows how to receive and to give a message, and whose maturity will prevent her from straying about. This porter should have a room near the gate, so that those who come may always find someone at hand to attend to their business. And as soon as anyone knocks or a poor person hails her, let her answer "Thanks be to God" or "A blessing!" Then let her attend to them promptly, with all the meekness inspired by the fear of God and with the warmth of charity.
Should the porter need help, let her have one of the younger sisters. If it can be done, the monastery should be so established that all the necessary things, such as water, mill, garden and various workshops may be within the enclosure, so that there is no necessity for the sisters to go about outside of it, since that is not at all profitable for their souls. We desire that this Rule be read often in the community, so that none of the sisters may excuse herself on the ground of ignorance.
REFLECTION
This idea of self-sufficiency, of everything one needs within the enclosure, is a great boon. Even if you are as haphazard in habits as I am, try to carve a day or two or three when you DON'T have to go out for anything once you get home, or a day off when there is no reason at all to leave your home. If you don't already know it, you will soon find that these days are treasures. Doesn't matter if the kids are home and noisy as ever, there is a certain solitude and security that being self-contained, even for a day, engenders and it is wonderful.
Remember all that talk about stability? Benedictines are, at the root, homebodies of sorts. We thrive and blossom in the solitude and security of homes, wherever they may be. That's why these days of not going out become so precious. They are times of freedom and growth for us and that's exactly what monastic struggle is about: offering us the freedom to grow and bloom!
Abba Moses, the Desert Father used to say: "Stay in your cell and your cell will teach you everything." That won't usually happen at first, we have to learn to listen to our homes. Once we do, we will find that they will, indeed, teach us subtly and almost non-stop!
Our various enclosures, even those urban apartments, offer us a reprieve from the rush and bustle of the world around us and we gradually learn to love that respite dearly. Please, for your own sake, for your family's sake, for your spouse's sake, find a way to spend a day entirely at home. Then, as you grow into it, find ways to increase the number of those days! I am certain you will want to do so!
By the way, if your home ever gets to teaching you so much that it's making you crazy; remember that is probably because a nerve has been touched. It might be wise to check which one! And one more thing: learn to treasure those whose needs interrupt or trash your day of cloister. They are gifts, too.
Christ often comes in very distressing disguises. Rejoice! Monastics reveal a LOT about themselves by the way they handle those who disturb their prayer, silence, or solitude. Sometimes it isn’t pretty. Don't go there; kindness, always kindness and mercy. A smile will draw more people to Christ than a scornful glare.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 24, August 24, December 24
Chapter 66: On the Porters of the Monastery
At the gate of the monastery let there be placed a wise old woman, who knows how to receive and to give a message, and whose maturity will prevent her from straying about. This porter should have a room near the gate, so that those who come may always find someone at hand to attend to their business. And as soon as anyone knocks or a poor person hails her, let her answer "Thanks be to God" or "A blessing!" Then let her attend to them promptly, with all the meekness inspired by the fear of God and with the warmth of charity.
Should the porter need help, let her have one of the younger sisters. If it can be done, the monastery should be so established that all the necessary things, such as water, mill, garden and various workshops may be within the enclosure, so that there is no necessity for the sisters to go about outside of it, since that is not at all profitable for their souls. We desire that this Rule be read often in the community, so that none of the sisters may excuse herself on the ground of ignorance.
REFLECTION
This idea of self-sufficiency, of everything one needs within the enclosure, is a great boon. Even if you are as haphazard in habits as I am, try to carve a day or two or three when you DON'T have to go out for anything once you get home, or a day off when there is no reason at all to leave your home. If you don't already know it, you will soon find that these days are treasures. Doesn't matter if the kids are home and noisy as ever, there is a certain solitude and security that being self-contained, even for a day, engenders and it is wonderful.
Remember all that talk about stability? Benedictines are, at the root, homebodies of sorts. We thrive and blossom in the solitude and security of homes, wherever they may be. That's why these days of not going out become so precious. They are times of freedom and growth for us and that's exactly what monastic struggle is about: offering us the freedom to grow and bloom!
Abba Moses, the Desert Father used to say: "Stay in your cell and your cell will teach you everything." That won't usually happen at first, we have to learn to listen to our homes. Once we do, we will find that they will, indeed, teach us subtly and almost non-stop!
Our various enclosures, even those urban apartments, offer us a reprieve from the rush and bustle of the world around us and we gradually learn to love that respite dearly. Please, for your own sake, for your family's sake, for your spouse's sake, find a way to spend a day entirely at home. Then, as you grow into it, find ways to increase the number of those days! I am certain you will want to do so!
By the way, if your home ever gets to teaching you so much that it's making you crazy; remember that is probably because a nerve has been touched. It might be wise to check which one! And one more thing: learn to treasure those whose needs interrupt or trash your day of cloister. They are gifts, too.
Christ often comes in very distressing disguises. Rejoice! Monastics reveal a LOT about themselves by the way they handle those who disturb their prayer, silence, or solitude. Sometimes it isn’t pretty. Don't go there; kindness, always kindness and mercy. A smile will draw more people to Christ than a scornful glare.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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