Holy Rule for March 31
10 views
Skip to first unread message
St. Mary's Monastery
Mar 30, 2026, 5:20:31 PM (5 days ago) Mar 30
to holyrule
+PAX
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
March 31, July 31, November 30
Chapter 49: On the Observance of Lent
[This chapter is the reason why some Oblate Directors ask their Oblates to share their Lenten resolutions.]
Although the life of a monk ought to have about it at all times the character of a Lenten observance, yet since few have the virtue for that, we therefore urge that during the actual days of Lent the brethren keep their lives most pure and at the same time wash away during these holy days all the negligences of other times. And this will be worthily done if we restrain ourselves from all vices and give ourselves up to prayer with tears, to reading, to compunction of heart and to abstinence. During these days, therefore, let us increase somewhat the usual burden of our service, as by private prayers and by abstinence in food and drink.
Thus everyone of his own will may offer God "with joy of the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 1:6) something above the measure required of him. From his body, that is he may withhold some food, drink, sleep, talking and jesting; and with the joy of spiritual desire he may look forward to Holy Easter. Let each one, however, suggest to his Abbot what it is that he wants to offer, and let it be done with his blessing and approval. For anything done without the permission of the spiritual father will be imputed to presumption and vainglory and will merit no reward. Therefore let everything be done with the Abbot's approval.
REFLECTION
St. Benedict uses the term "ought" to express the fact that a monastic life is, by rights, one full-time Lent. Though "ought" and "should" are commonly used as identical terms these days, they are not synonymous. "Should" expresses a wish, "I should like some coffee." "Ought" expresses a moral issue or obligation, "We ought to help that woman."
In his use of the stronger, moral term, St. Benedict acknowledges that a monastic's life is truly an obligation to a perpetual Lent. Then he goes on to make one of his most sweepingly gentle and kind allowances for human nature: "yet, since few have the virtue for that..." The beauty of his adaptation is often lost, people quoting only the first line of the chapter, reading it as pointing to a Lent that never ends.
Slangily put, what our holy Father is saying here is: "OK, in a real world, monastics ought to live Lent all the time, but since few of us can pull that off, let's shoot for pouring it all on during Lent itself." That's a very different sentiment!
Benedictines have been known for many things, but harsh, physical austerity, especially during the last several centuries, has not been one of them. Sometimes in the past I think that has given some of us a slight inferiority complex, since the world tends to rank Orders in terms of their strictness. Happy the Benedictine who has no such hang-ups! We are moderate and gentle, therein is our strength.
We are not the elite special forces of the Church nor do we pretend to be. We leave the superstar status claims firmly alone. Quietly, we know with surety that the local also-rans of the Church often do just as well as any others, without all the fanfare! There is a certain humility in not even wishing to get involved in that "stricter- than-thou" business.
So, yeah, we balance, always balance. We moderate. That is our gift from our Father Benedict. Enjoy that to the full, dear brothers and sisters. We belong to a gentle and loving family!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Br. Jerome Leo’s Daily Reflection on the Holy Rule
March 31, July 31, November 30
Chapter 49: On the Observance of Lent
[This chapter is the reason why some Oblate Directors ask their Oblates to share their Lenten resolutions.]
Although the life of a monk ought to have about it at all times the character of a Lenten observance, yet since few have the virtue for that, we therefore urge that during the actual days of Lent the brethren keep their lives most pure and at the same time wash away during these holy days all the negligences of other times. And this will be worthily done if we restrain ourselves from all vices and give ourselves up to prayer with tears, to reading, to compunction of heart and to abstinence. During these days, therefore, let us increase somewhat the usual burden of our service, as by private prayers and by abstinence in food and drink.
Thus everyone of his own will may offer God "with joy of the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess. 1:6) something above the measure required of him. From his body, that is he may withhold some food, drink, sleep, talking and jesting; and with the joy of spiritual desire he may look forward to Holy Easter. Let each one, however, suggest to his Abbot what it is that he wants to offer, and let it be done with his blessing and approval. For anything done without the permission of the spiritual father will be imputed to presumption and vainglory and will merit no reward. Therefore let everything be done with the Abbot's approval.
REFLECTION
St. Benedict uses the term "ought" to express the fact that a monastic life is, by rights, one full-time Lent. Though "ought" and "should" are commonly used as identical terms these days, they are not synonymous. "Should" expresses a wish, "I should like some coffee." "Ought" expresses a moral issue or obligation, "We ought to help that woman."
In his use of the stronger, moral term, St. Benedict acknowledges that a monastic's life is truly an obligation to a perpetual Lent. Then he goes on to make one of his most sweepingly gentle and kind allowances for human nature: "yet, since few have the virtue for that..." The beauty of his adaptation is often lost, people quoting only the first line of the chapter, reading it as pointing to a Lent that never ends.
Slangily put, what our holy Father is saying here is: "OK, in a real world, monastics ought to live Lent all the time, but since few of us can pull that off, let's shoot for pouring it all on during Lent itself." That's a very different sentiment!
Benedictines have been known for many things, but harsh, physical austerity, especially during the last several centuries, has not been one of them. Sometimes in the past I think that has given some of us a slight inferiority complex, since the world tends to rank Orders in terms of their strictness. Happy the Benedictine who has no such hang-ups! We are moderate and gentle, therein is our strength.
We are not the elite special forces of the Church nor do we pretend to be. We leave the superstar status claims firmly alone. Quietly, we know with surety that the local also-rans of the Church often do just as well as any others, without all the fanfare! There is a certain humility in not even wishing to get involved in that "stricter- than-thou" business.
So, yeah, we balance, always balance. We moderate. That is our gift from our Father Benedict. Enjoy that to the full, dear brothers and sisters. We belong to a gentle and loving family!
Br. Jerome Leo Hughes, OSB (RIP)
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages