Christmas Services 2024

Daily Reading from the Rule of St Benedict

CHAPTER 65: THE PRIOR OF THE MONASTERY concluded
THEREFORE we have come to see that it is best for the preservation of peace and charity that the management of his own monastery should be under the control of the Abbot, and if it is possible, the whole conduct of the affairs of the monastery should be entrusted to deans, as we laid down earlier, in accordance with the directions of the Abbot; in this way while responsibility is divided no single person will be given grounds for pride. If, however, local conditions require it, or the community ask for it reasonably and with humility, and the Abbot himself judges it expedient, then let the Abbot himself appoint his own Prior, choosing anyone he wishes after asking the advice of God-fearing brethren.
But this Prior must carry out respectfully the instructions given him by the Abbot, doing nothing contrary the will or direction of the Abbot; for as he is placed above the rest in office, so it is his duty to observe the precepts of the Rule with all the more care.
Should the Prior be found to have serious faults, or thinks highly of himself because of his position and behave with arrogance, or should he be clearly show to have scant respect for the holy Rule, he is to be admonished by word of mouth as many as four times; if he does not amend his ways, let the punishment of the regular code of discipline be brought to bear. If even so he has not put himself right, then he must be deposed from the office of Prior and another who is worthy be put in his place. If after all this he does not stay quiet and obedient in the community, he is even to be expelled from the monastery. Still the Abbot must remember that he will have to render an account to God for all his judgments, for fear lest the flame of envy or jealousy should set his soul on fire.