On Constituting an Abbot
Apr. 20—Aug. 20—Dec. 20
In the constituting of an Abbot let this plan always be followed, that
the office be conferred on the one who is chosen either by the whole
community unanimously in the fear of God or else by a part of the
community, however small, if its counsel is more wholesome.
Merit of life and wisdom of doctrine should determine the choice of the
one to be constituted, even if he be the last in the order of the
community.
But if (which God forbid) the whole community should agree to choose a
person who will acquiesce in their vices, and if those vices somehow
become known to the Bishop to whose diocese the place belongs, or to the
Abbots or the faithful of the vicinity, let them prevent the success of
this conspiracy of the wicked, and set a worthy steward over the house
of God. They may be sure that they will receive a good reward for this
action if they do it with a pure intention and out of zeal for God; as,
on the contrary, they will sin if they fail to do it.
Apr. 21—Aug. 21—Dec. 21
Once he has been constituted, let the Abbot always bear in mind what a
burden he has undertaken and to whom he will have to give an account of
his stewardship, and let him know that his duty is rather to profit his
brethren than to preside over them. He must therefore be learned in the
divine law, that he may have a treasure of knowledge from which to bring
forth new things and old. He must be chaste, sober and merciful. Let him
exalt mercy above judgment, that he himself may obtain mercy. He should
hate vices; he should love the brethren.
In administering correction he should act prudently and not go to
excess, lest in seeking too eagerly to scrape off the rust he break the
vessel. Let him keep his own frailty ever before his eyes and remember
that the bruised reed must not be broken. By this we do not mean that he
should allow vices to grow; on the contrary, as we have already said, he
should eradicate them prudently and with charity, in the way which may
seem best in each case. Let him study rather to be loved than to be
feared.
Let him not be excitable and worried, nor exacting and headstrong, nor
jealous and over-suspicious; for then he is never at rest.
In his commands let him be prudent and considerate; and whether the work
which he enjoins concerns God or the world, let him be discreet and
moderate, bearing in mind the discretion of holy Jacob, who said, “If I
cause my flocks to be overdriven, they will all die in one day.” Taking
this, then, and other examples of discretion, the mother of virtues, let
him so temper all things that the strong may have something to strive
after, and the weak may not fall back in dismay.
And especially let him keep this Rule in all its details, so that after
a good ministry he may hear from the Lord what the good servant heard
who gave his fellow-servants wheat in due season: “Indeed, I tell you,
he will set him over all his goods.”