Holy Rule for April 16
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St. Mary's Monastery
Apr 15, 2026, 5:27:54 PMApr 15
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 16, August 16, December 16
Chapter 61: How Pilgrim Monks Are To Be Received (6-14)
But if as a guest he was found exacting or prone to vice, not only should he be denied membership in the community, but he should even be politely requested to leave, lest others be corrupted by his evil life. If, however, he has not proved to be the kind who deserves to be put out, he should not only on his own application be received as a member of the community, but he should even be persuaded to stay, that the others may be instructed by his example, and because in every place it is the same Lord who is served, the same King for whom the battle is fought.
Moreover, if the Abbot perceives that he is worthy, he may put him in a somewhat higher rank. And not only with regard to a monk but also with regard to those in priestly or clerical orders previously mentioned, the Abbot may establish them in a higher rank than would be theirs by date of entrance if he perceives that their life is deserving. Let the Abbot take care, however, never to receive a monk from another known monastery as a member of his community without the consent of his Abbot or a letter of recommendation; for it is written, "Do not to another what you would not want done to yourself" (Tob.4:16).
REFLECTION
Not all criticism is good. Every person at the door of your workplace, home or monastery is a challenge for virtue from God. They may even be doing His will unwittingly by their pickiness or crankiness, but they are not therefore necessarily right.
That means that every single criticism should be carefully weighed. Sometimes the message God sends is positive, sometimes negative, sometimes merely an exercise in endurance! Trust me, I worked in the guest house for over twelve years... The person who annoys you could be right, but not always!
Some of us are so complacent that we badly need to be taken down a bit. Others, however, have such wounded self-esteem that they will need protection, need to be careful and cautious enough to balance what is said to them by critical types. Hear what people say, but sift it very carefully. They might be wrong.
Some people are perhaps on occasion sent to us for no reason other than to teach us to recognize such fools as those of whom St. Paul speaks and suffer them gladly, or at least start working at suffering them civilly.
Some of us, too, need to listen to this while putting ourselves in the role of the guest or the listeners. I remember a priest in the mid 1970's, after Vatican II, who thought every single homily should "shake 'em up a bit." Well, yes and no and neither, at times. Not every "pearl" of wisdom is cultured!
Strive to not be a person like that. Don't make a life calling out of shaking people up, they'll get over you fast. You don't want that to happen, you want to keep their attention until they can hear Christ in your speech and see Him in your life. Jostling nerves is not the best way to attract others to the Gospel.
But neither should a timidly, uncharitable politeness make you afraid to speak when it is really necessary and might actually help. The monastic tendency to avoid conflict, often at virtually any cost, is not always kind. It is often nothing more than cowardice.
As usual, balance, ALWAYS balance! And ALWAYS kindness. When you have to say something difficult, the loving tone will be the one most likely be heard, the strident one will usually serve only to make matters worse and hurts deeper.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 16, August 16, December 16
Chapter 61: How Pilgrim Monks Are To Be Received (6-14)
But if as a guest he was found exacting or prone to vice, not only should he be denied membership in the community, but he should even be politely requested to leave, lest others be corrupted by his evil life. If, however, he has not proved to be the kind who deserves to be put out, he should not only on his own application be received as a member of the community, but he should even be persuaded to stay, that the others may be instructed by his example, and because in every place it is the same Lord who is served, the same King for whom the battle is fought.
Moreover, if the Abbot perceives that he is worthy, he may put him in a somewhat higher rank. And not only with regard to a monk but also with regard to those in priestly or clerical orders previously mentioned, the Abbot may establish them in a higher rank than would be theirs by date of entrance if he perceives that their life is deserving. Let the Abbot take care, however, never to receive a monk from another known monastery as a member of his community without the consent of his Abbot or a letter of recommendation; for it is written, "Do not to another what you would not want done to yourself" (Tob.4:16).
REFLECTION
Not all criticism is good. Every person at the door of your workplace, home or monastery is a challenge for virtue from God. They may even be doing His will unwittingly by their pickiness or crankiness, but they are not therefore necessarily right.
That means that every single criticism should be carefully weighed. Sometimes the message God sends is positive, sometimes negative, sometimes merely an exercise in endurance! Trust me, I worked in the guest house for over twelve years... The person who annoys you could be right, but not always!
Some of us are so complacent that we badly need to be taken down a bit. Others, however, have such wounded self-esteem that they will need protection, need to be careful and cautious enough to balance what is said to them by critical types. Hear what people say, but sift it very carefully. They might be wrong.
Some people are perhaps on occasion sent to us for no reason other than to teach us to recognize such fools as those of whom St. Paul speaks and suffer them gladly, or at least start working at suffering them civilly.
Some of us, too, need to listen to this while putting ourselves in the role of the guest or the listeners. I remember a priest in the mid 1970's, after Vatican II, who thought every single homily should "shake 'em up a bit." Well, yes and no and neither, at times. Not every "pearl" of wisdom is cultured!
Strive to not be a person like that. Don't make a life calling out of shaking people up, they'll get over you fast. You don't want that to happen, you want to keep their attention until they can hear Christ in your speech and see Him in your life. Jostling nerves is not the best way to attract others to the Gospel.
But neither should a timidly, uncharitable politeness make you afraid to speak when it is really necessary and might actually help. The monastic tendency to avoid conflict, often at virtually any cost, is not always kind. It is often nothing more than cowardice.
As usual, balance, ALWAYS balance! And ALWAYS kindness. When you have to say something difficult, the loving tone will be the one most likely be heard, the strident one will usually serve only to make matters worse and hurts deeper.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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