CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 12
I MUST not forbear to mention how the venerable abbot Benedict, to alleviate the tedium of the long nights when his illness often made sleep impossible, would call upon one of the monks to read aloud the story of Job, that model of patience, or any other passage of the Bible which might bring consolation to a sick man and lift him out of his depression to think cheerfully of higher things. As it was impossible for him to rise from bed to pray and difficult for him even to find sufficient voice to recite the psalms in their appointed order, this prudent man, spurred on by love of his faith, had several of the brethren come to him at every hour of prayer, both day and night. Formed into two small choirs, they sang the usual psalms antiphonally, so that he could join in with them as far as he was able and thus fulfil with their assistance what he had not strength to accomplish alone.