August 20

Chapter 64 pt. 1

The Rule of Benedict August 20

from April:

This passage calls to mind the need for any Benedictine community to be in transparent relationship with the wider Church in which it finds itself.  Although Benedict's vision for a monastery is non-diocesan, he clearly intends that each community will be intimately connected to the life of its diocese and to other monasteries.  In our situation, Gil provides the oversight to which Benedict alludes, although I suspect that opportunities to expand our relationship with a wider portion of the Church will be in our future.


An OSBCn community needs the approval and blessing of the bishop in whose diocese it is located.  It is also necessary for an OSBCn community to be hosted by a parish with the approval of the priest.  Benedict's call for oversight in Benedictine communities is heeded by these structures.