April 17

Chapter 62

The Rule of Benedict April 17

This chapter makes very clear our Father Benedict's intentions for how the dual callings of monk and priest are to interact.  For a Benedictine monk, the monastic call is primary, and the priestly call is secondary. I think it is fair to say, however, that our order, as it exists now, does not constitute with its vows the level of commitment, nor with its structure the level of authority that Benedict takes for granted here.  The nature of the relationship between the members of our order and the Rule is identical to that of an oblate.  And, as many priests are themselves oblates, including Gil and our bishop, without major constraints or limitations placed on their priestly vocations as a result of their oblate vows, I see no direct application of this chapter to Robert's or my possible priestly vocation.  That is, unless one or both of us hear a call to vows and a structure that go beyond that of an oblate . . . such as those of a Benedictine Canon, for instance.