Holy Rule for April 9
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St. Mary's Monastery
Apr 8, 2026, 5:56:26 PMApr 8
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 9, August 9, December 9
Chapter 56: On the Abbess's Table
Let the Abbess' table always be with the guests and the pilgrims. But when there are no guests, let it be in her power to invite whom she will of the sisters. Yet one or two seniors must always be left with the others for the sake of discipline.
REFLECTION
Let me give you a bit of pragmatic application here. I don't know if this is true everywhere, but in both houses I have actually lived in, the monks tended to eat rather fast. When younger, I had a reputation for being a fast eater, though I have long since been slowed down by dentures and some swallowing difficulty. I am usually the last one to finish, even when gulping down as fast as I can.
Anyway, the upshot here is that guests often dine more slowly than the monastics and we all get up together for grace. If the guests are where the Abbot can see them, it is easier to check on who's done and who isn't. We wait for them to finish.
Monastics (like children or spouses!) can be dreadful creatures of habit, you should pardon the pun... I can tell you that sometimes that waiting seems interminable. I can also tell you that it is good for us, for all of us, and this applies equally to families. We allow, even enable, the guest to inconvenience us to a certain extent. That's part of our hospitality, part of receiving Christ, sometimes in a distressing disguise.
Oblates in families, trust me on this one, I know company can sometimes be a pain. The message here is not only for guests in our homes, but for others in general, at work, when shopping or when driving. Let others put you out a bit. Adopt a courtesy that is greater than the world's.
I used to work the desk in a public library. From that and from my hospital and teaching years, I can tell you that a courteous, hospitable, Christian attitude of charity can stand out, really touch people. You don't have to be obnoxiously preachy, in fact, that can have the opposite effect!
The subtle grace and love of courtesy will perhaps lead some people to wonder about you and what motivates you. Some of the braver ones may one day even ask. And there is your chance! Go slowly and gently, but tell them why.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
April 9, August 9, December 9
Chapter 56: On the Abbess's Table
Let the Abbess' table always be with the guests and the pilgrims. But when there are no guests, let it be in her power to invite whom she will of the sisters. Yet one or two seniors must always be left with the others for the sake of discipline.
REFLECTION
Let me give you a bit of pragmatic application here. I don't know if this is true everywhere, but in both houses I have actually lived in, the monks tended to eat rather fast. When younger, I had a reputation for being a fast eater, though I have long since been slowed down by dentures and some swallowing difficulty. I am usually the last one to finish, even when gulping down as fast as I can.
Anyway, the upshot here is that guests often dine more slowly than the monastics and we all get up together for grace. If the guests are where the Abbot can see them, it is easier to check on who's done and who isn't. We wait for them to finish.
Monastics (like children or spouses!) can be dreadful creatures of habit, you should pardon the pun... I can tell you that sometimes that waiting seems interminable. I can also tell you that it is good for us, for all of us, and this applies equally to families. We allow, even enable, the guest to inconvenience us to a certain extent. That's part of our hospitality, part of receiving Christ, sometimes in a distressing disguise.
Oblates in families, trust me on this one, I know company can sometimes be a pain. The message here is not only for guests in our homes, but for others in general, at work, when shopping or when driving. Let others put you out a bit. Adopt a courtesy that is greater than the world's.
I used to work the desk in a public library. From that and from my hospital and teaching years, I can tell you that a courteous, hospitable, Christian attitude of charity can stand out, really touch people. You don't have to be obnoxiously preachy, in fact, that can have the opposite effect!
The subtle grace and love of courtesy will perhaps lead some people to wonder about you and what motivates you. Some of the braver ones may one day even ask. And there is your chance! Go slowly and gently, but tell them why.
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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