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Fr. James' Newsletter - no. 169 / March 14, 2017
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At the start of Chapter 73, St. Benedict speaks of his Rule being carried out “in monasteries.” Plural, “monasteries.” There are other spots in his work where he seems to suggest that he is writing with more than one community in mind:
  • In Chapter 17, when speaking of the little hours, he lets the question of using antiphons for the psalms depend on the size of the community;
  • In Chapter 20, again the size of the community should determine whether or not deans are to be appointed;
  • In Chapter 21, on sleeping arrangements, he distinguishes between houses where it’s possible for all to sleep in one spot and houses where this is not possible;
  • In Chapter 31, the cellarer receives helpers if the community is sufficiently large to justify this;
  • Again in Chapter 35, kitchen arrangements vary somewhat depending on the size of the community;
  • The quantity of drink in Chapter 40 is affected by local circumstances;
  • In Chapter 48, local conditions might in some cases require the monks to assist with the harvesting;
  • Clothing, in Chapter 55, must be suitable to the circumstances of the place and its climate;
  • In Chapter 66, Benedict says that where possible everything needed by the monks should be produced on the monastery grounds – which suggests there are places where this is not possible.
The list could be extended, I think. But, long list or short, we tend to glide over these hints of a wider audience for the Rule because we “know” quite well that Benedict had no intention of writing as a universal legislator. It would be hard to find a commentary in the last half-century suggesting otherwise.

I have little reason and less right to question the consensus of experts on the Rule. But there are times when I wonder, just what gives any of us absolute certainty that we know just what audience Benedict had in mind when he wrote the Rule – or that we know the full reasons why he wrote it? Given our lack of detailed knowledge of what position, if any, Benedict held in Italy in the second quarter of the sixth century, and given the spotty nature of our knowledge of sixth-century monasticism in the West, I am unsure that we should too confidently work back from our knowledge that, in fact, knowledge of the Rule spread only slowly during the chaotic two centuries after Benedict to an assurance that the saint or his sponsors had no greater ambition than to legislate for Monte Cassino and perhaps one or two other locales under his influence. I’d prefer to hedge my bets a bit: there may be a surprise or two still in wait for future students of St. Benedict!

From last week's Founders' Day program at our University. Our postulant, Br. Paul, was there with myself and Fr. Edward.

Fr. Ed continues to serve as the chaplain at Benet, even as he prepares to celebrate his ninetieth birthday next month. 
Quo Vadis? Is God calling you? Take our quiz to help you think through the possibility. See here for more info.
Easter Triduum Vocation Discernment Retreat: Apr. 13 - 16, 2017. For Catholic men, ages 18-45, who are thinking about a religious vocation. See here for more info.
Three make their oblations as Oblates of our Abbey. Oblates are members of the laity who follow the Rule of St. Benedict as best they can in their state of life. They join themselves to a particular community, as three did here at St. Procopius last Sunday. See here for more info.
The Benedictine Monks of St. Procopius Abbey.
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Please contact Fr. James at vocations@procopius.org
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5601 College Road, Lisle IL 60532
(630)969-6410 
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St. Procopius Abbey · 5601 College Road · Lisle, Il 60532 · USA

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