Holy Rule for January 14
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St. Mary's Monastery
Jan 13, 2026, 5:55:13 PM (3 days ago) Jan 13
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Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
January 14, May 15, September 14
Chapter 2: What Kind of Person the Abbess Ought to Be (30-32)
The Abbess should always remember what she is and what she is called, and should know that to whom more is committed, from her more is required (Luke 12:48). Let her understand also what a difficult and arduous task she has undertaken: ruling souls and adapting herself to a variety of characters. One she must coax, another scold, another persuade, according to each one's character and understanding. Thus she must adjust and adapt herself to all in such a way that she may not only suffer no loss in the flock committed to her care, but may even rejoice in the increase of a good flock.
REFLECTION
When we read these portions of the Holy Rule which deal with the Abbot or other officials a very handy suggestion is in order. Read them to see what the Abbess (or parent or teacher or boss or yourself!) DOES comply with, not what you feel is missed, because few in the abbacy or any of those positions of trust and authority are perfect enough to fulfill them all at all times.
Read them with one eye on who the Abbot or boss or parent really is as a frail human being, what sort of person he is, and the other eye focused on what is demanded of him by the Holy Rule. Chapters such as this one will give you a really valuable insight into what those officials are wrestling with, a glimpse of how tough it can be to tread the very fine line.
Parents, fear not! I'll bet that many great saints couldn't read this chapter without cringing a little, maybe even a lot. If your eyes are even half open, you will see the areas of failure every time you read them. (If, by some odd oversight, you have missed one or two, your children are quite likely to point them out to you the next time they get mad!!)
Use those areas as goals to work on, but don't beat yourself up on them too badly. Not only does no one ever get there all at once, but, frankly, I think very few ever get there all the way period. In heaven, we will be perfect. Meanwhile, we struggle and plod.
Finally, since the majority of us will never be Abbots, read these portions of the Rule to see how you measure up. How many of these qualities do you have? When one of the things demanded of the Abbess is exercised in your regard, how gracefully, even gratefully, do you receive it? Authority is a two-way street. Any kid who thinks it ALL devolves on parents hasn't read the Commandments past number three. There are responsibilities both parties must uphold.
Change "Abbess" to "Christian" and read again. Then add "Benedictine" to "Christian" and re-check that part about "to whom more is committed."
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
January 14, May 15, September 14
Chapter 2: What Kind of Person the Abbess Ought to Be (30-32)
The Abbess should always remember what she is and what she is called, and should know that to whom more is committed, from her more is required (Luke 12:48). Let her understand also what a difficult and arduous task she has undertaken: ruling souls and adapting herself to a variety of characters. One she must coax, another scold, another persuade, according to each one's character and understanding. Thus she must adjust and adapt herself to all in such a way that she may not only suffer no loss in the flock committed to her care, but may even rejoice in the increase of a good flock.
REFLECTION
When we read these portions of the Holy Rule which deal with the Abbot or other officials a very handy suggestion is in order. Read them to see what the Abbess (or parent or teacher or boss or yourself!) DOES comply with, not what you feel is missed, because few in the abbacy or any of those positions of trust and authority are perfect enough to fulfill them all at all times.
Read them with one eye on who the Abbot or boss or parent really is as a frail human being, what sort of person he is, and the other eye focused on what is demanded of him by the Holy Rule. Chapters such as this one will give you a really valuable insight into what those officials are wrestling with, a glimpse of how tough it can be to tread the very fine line.
Parents, fear not! I'll bet that many great saints couldn't read this chapter without cringing a little, maybe even a lot. If your eyes are even half open, you will see the areas of failure every time you read them. (If, by some odd oversight, you have missed one or two, your children are quite likely to point them out to you the next time they get mad!!)
Use those areas as goals to work on, but don't beat yourself up on them too badly. Not only does no one ever get there all at once, but, frankly, I think very few ever get there all the way period. In heaven, we will be perfect. Meanwhile, we struggle and plod.
Finally, since the majority of us will never be Abbots, read these portions of the Rule to see how you measure up. How many of these qualities do you have? When one of the things demanded of the Abbess is exercised in your regard, how gracefully, even gratefully, do you receive it? Authority is a two-way street. Any kid who thinks it ALL devolves on parents hasn't read the Commandments past number three. There are responsibilities both parties must uphold.
Change "Abbess" to "Christian" and read again. Then add "Benedictine" to "Christian" and re-check that part about "to whom more is committed."
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
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