CHAPTER 1 | The Kinds of Monks
THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT
HE FIRST WORD of Benedict's Rule is, "Listen," and what's more, "Listen carefully." The admonition is to The Rule of listen to God, of course, but also to abide by the "master's instructions" and "to attend to them with the ear of the heart."
St. Benedict is simply It is through obedience to the will of God and the teachings of an application of the the master that one comes to renounce one's own will. Benedict quotes scripture in the Prologue (and throughout the rule) many
Gospel counsels and times to both admonish and encourage. commands of Christ to CHAPTER 1 | The Kinds of Monks the monastic way of life.
The first chapter of the Rule is Benedict's description of four types of monks. His purpose is to draw attention to the acceptable type,
The Observances and the cenobite, who leads a stable life in a community under a rule
Customs of the and an abbot.
Cistercians seek to CHAPTER 2 | Qualities of the Abbot The abbot is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery. interpret and apply the He is advised to rule not so much by decree and command as by Rule in greater detail. example, patience and understanding.
CHAPTER 3 | Summoning the Brothers for Counsel
—THOMAS MERTON
In important matters, the abbot calls the community together, explains the business and listens to the advice of the brothers.
The final decision is the abbot's.