Chapter Sixty-Four
CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR
On the Installation of the Abbot
IN THE installation of an Abbot let this principle always be observed: that he be placed in the position whom the whole community, in the fear of God, chose. Even part—regardless of how small—may successfully do so, when done with sounder judgment. But let him who is to be selected be chosen for the merit of his life and his mastery of wisdom, though he be the last in the community.
If even the whole community should by mutual consent select a man who agrees to connive at their evil ways (banish the thought) and these offenses should somehow come to the knowledge of the Bishop in whose diocese the place is found, or if news should come to neighboring Abbots (or nearby Christian people), let them not permit the intrigue of the wicked to succeed, but let them appoint a worthy steward over the house of God, knowing that they shall receive a bountiful reward for this action, if they do it with a pure intention and godly zeal; whereas, on the other hand, they commit a sin if they neglect it.
But when the Abbot hath been installed let him bear in mind how great a burden he has taken and to whom he must give an account of his stewardship. (Cf. Luke 16:2). Let him realize that it befits him more to provide than preside. He must, therefore, be versed in the divine law, that he may know whence “to bring forth new things and old.” (Matt. 13:52). Let him be chaste, sober, and merciful, and let him always exalt “mercy above judgment” (Jas. 2:13), that he also may obtain mercy.
Let him hate vice, but love the brethren. And even in his corrections, he should with prudence and not go to extremes, lest, while trying too vehemently to scrape away the rust, he break the vessel. Let him always keep his own frailty in mind, and remember that “the bruised reed must not be broken.” (Is. 42:3). By this we are not saying that he should allow vices to take root, but that he should uproot them with prudence and charity, in the manner he determines best for each one, as we have already said; and let him strive to be loved rather than feared.
Let him not be restless or over-anxious, exacting, or headstrong, nor jealous or overly suspicious, because then he will never have rest. In all his commands, whether they refer to things spiritual or temporal, he should be deliberative and considerate. Let him be discerning and moderate in the tasks which he imposes, recalling the discretion of holy Jacob who says: “If I should cause my flocks to be overdriven, they would all die in one day.” (Gen. 33:13). Adopting this and other maxims about discretion—which is the mother of all virtues—let him so temper everything that the strong may still have something to desire and the weak nothing to demoralize them. Above all, let him take heed the present Rule in every detail, so that after he has served well, he may hear from the Lord what the good servant heard who gave his fellow-servants grain in due season: “Amen, I say to you,” He says, “he shall set him over all his goods.” (Matt. 24:47).