August 20

Chapter 64 pt. 1

Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux

The Rule of St. Benedict August 20

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 St. 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.  Such connection is built into the structure of the Canon Communities of St. Benedict, each of which is hosted by a local parish with the approval of the priest and bishop.

I'm struck by how intent our Father Benedict is to establish a structure of authority that is the antithesis of worldly power, which is always self-interested.  The Superior is chosen by the community to serve God's intention, not their own perceived needs.  And if the community chooses someone "who will acquiesce in their vices," St. Benedict relies upon the wider Christian community to perceive God's intentions and intervene.  For all the talk of the Rule being hierarchical and authoritative, we see here that it is Christ alone whose authority is to be revered in a Benedictine community.

Br. Chad 2012