On the Order of the Community
Apr. 18—Aug. 18—Dec. 18
Let all keep their places in the monastery established by the time of
their entrance, the merit of their lives and the decision of the Abbot.
Yet the Abbot must not disturb the flock committed to him, nor by an
arbitrary use of his power ordain anything unjustly; but let him always
think of the account he will have to render to God for all his decisions
and his deeds.
Therefore in that order which he has established or which they already
had, let the brethren approach to receive the kiss of peace and
Communion, intone the Psalms and stand in choir. And in no place
whatever should age decide the order or be prejudicial to it; for Samuel
and Daniel as mere boys judged priests.
Except for those already mentioned, therefore, whom the Abbot has
promoted by a special decision or demoted for definite reasons, all the
rest shall take their order according to the time of their entrance.
Thus, for example, he who came to the monastery at the second hour of
the day, whatever be his age or his dignity, must know that he is junior
to one who came at the first hour of the day. Boys, however, are to be
kept under discipline in all matters and by everyone.
Apr. 19—Aug. 19—Dec. 19
The juniors, therefore, should honor their seniors, and the seniors love
their juniors.
In the very manner of address, let no one call another by the mere name;
but let the seniors call their juniors Brothers, and the juniors call
their seniors Fathers, by which is conveyed the reverence due to a
father. But the Abbot, since he is believed to represent Christ, shall
be called Lord and Abbot, not for any pretensions of his own but out of
honor and love for Christ. Let the Abbot himself reflect on this, and
show himself worthy of such an honor.
And wherever the brethren meet one another the junior shall ask the
senior for his blessing. When a senior passes by, a junior shall rise
and give him a place to sit, nor shall the junior presume to sit with
him unless his senior bid him, that it may be as was written, “In honor
anticipating one another.”
Boys, both small and adolescent, shall keep strictly to their rank in
oratory and at table. But outside of that, wherever they may be, let
them be under supervision and discipline, until they come to the age of
discretion.