Chapter 61
SIXTY-FIRST CHAPTER
How Pilgrim Monks should be received Should a strange monk from a distant locality arrive at the monastery and wish to remain for some time as a guest, be con tent with the customs he finds in the place, and does not disturb the peace of the cloister by his exorbitant demands, but simply be satisfied with what he sees there, let him be taken in (and be permitted to remain) as long as he desires.1
Naturally, if reasonably, humbly, and charitably, he should think something blameworthy or allude to something as not quite correct, let the abbot in all prudence ponder whether, per haps, the Lord has not sent him along for that very purpose.
Should he later on wish to make his stay a permanent one, let his desire not be denied him, since, during his presence as a guest, one could fairly appraise his manner of life.
Should he, however, during the time of his stay as a guest, show that he is a man who demands things, one given to super fluities and bad habits, he ought not only not be admitted into the body of the community but rather be politely told that he should leave, so that others may not be corrupted by his wretch ed state (manner of life).
But in case he is not one who deserves to be sent away, then, should he request it, let him not only be received and admitted as a member of the community but even be persuaded to re main, so that the rest of the monks may be edified by his ex ample; for we serve one and the same Lord everywhere and fight under one and the same King in every place. And the abenter the cloister had to be insisted upon.
3 His priestly rank, might tend to exert an unfair influence in the councils of the brethren.
4 In the time of St. Benedict, the following persons were listed as members of the lower clergy: ostiarii (porters), lectors, exorcists, acolytes, and subdeacons. Deacons belonged in practice to the ranks of the priesthood.
1 In this chapter and passage, it is not a question of the Sarabaites or Gyrovagues of the Holy Rule (chap, i), since the abbot will soon recognize and unmask them as such. Under modern Church canons a roving monkhood such as the Rule had in mind would be manifestly impossible.--For a more complete explanation of the subsequent phrase, "body of the community," see chapter iii, excursus III, "The Monastic Church."