The antidote to exhaustion

The antidote for exhaustion is not necessarily rest. The antidote to exhaustion is whole heartedness.

David Stendl-Rast, OSB

The Abbot

An abbot who is worthy to govern a monastery must always remember what he is called, and fulfill his title through his deeds. For he is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery, since he is addressed by a title of His (Christ's), as the Apostle has said, "You have received the spirit of adoption of sons by which we cry, 'abba, father" (Rom. 8:15).

Therefore, the abbot should never teach or enact or command anything contrary to the teaching of the Lord; rather let his commands and his teaching, like the leaven of divine justice, suffuse the minds of his disciples.


Rule of Benedict, Chapter 2

Working from the Inside Out

Are we not perhaps seeing once again, in the light of current history, that no positive world order can prosper where souls are overgrown.

Spe Salvi 15

Kinds of Monks part 4

The fourth kind of monks are those called gyrovagues, who spend their whole lives seeking hospitality in province after province, monastery after monastery, staying three or four days at a time; always wandering and never stable, they are slaves to self-will and the snares of appetite: they are in all things worse than the Sarabaites.

Of the most wretched life of all these it is better to remain silent than to speak. Leaving these behind us, therefore, let us proceed, with the help of God, to make provision for the Cenobites -- the strong kind of monks.


Rule of Benedict, Chapter 1

Kinds of Monks part 3

A third and detestable kind of monks are the Sarabaites, who have been tried neither by rule nor by experience as gold by the furnace (Prov. 27:21) but, being soft as lead, still keep faith with the world in their behavior, lying to God with their tonsure. Living in twos or threes, or even singly without a shepherd, they enclose themselves not in the Lord's sheepfolds but in their own. Their law consists in their own pleasures and desires: whatever they think fit or choose to do, that they call holy; and what they do not like, that they consider unlawful.


Rule of Benedict, Chapter 1

Kinds of Monks part 2

The second are the anchorites - hermits: that is, those who, not in the first fervor of monastic life, but after long probation in the monastery, have learned by the help and experience of others to fight against the devil. They go forth well-armed from the ranks of their brethren to the solitary combat of the desert. They are not able to fight safely without the support of others, by their own strength and with God's assistance, against the vices of flesh and thoughts.

Rule of Benedict, Chapter 1

Kinds of Monks

It is plain that there are four kinds of monks. The first are the Cenobites: that is, those who do their service in monasteries under a rule and an abbot.

Rule of Benedict, Chapter 1

Do not fear the narrow way

We have therefore, to establish a school of the Lord's service. In the institution of it we hope to establish nothing that is harsh or oppressive. But if anything is somewhat strictly laid down, according to the dictates of equity and for the amendment of vices, or for the preservation of love; do not therefore flee in dismay from the way of salvation, which cannot be other than narrow at the beginning.

For as we progress in this our way of life and in faith, our hearts shall expand, and we shall run the way of God's commandments with the unspeakable sweetness of love. So that , never departing from his guidance, but persevering in his teaching in the monastery until death, we may by patience participate in the sufferings of Christ; that we may deserve also to be partakers of his kingdom. Amen.


Rule of St. Benedict, Prologue v. 45-50

God is waiting

With these (admonitions) concluded, the Lord is waiting daily for us to respond by our deeds to his holy guidance. Therefore, in order that we may amend our evil ways, the days of our lives have been lengthened as a reprieve, as the Apostle says: Do you not know that the patience of God is leading you to repentance? (Romans 2:4) For the loving Lord says: I do not desire the death of a sinner, but that he should be converted and live. (Ezek. 33:11)

Since then brethren, we have asked of the Lord who is to dwell iin his tent, we have heard his commands to those who are to abide there, it remains for us to complete the duties of those who dwell there. Our hearts, therefore, and our bodies must be prepared in fight in holy obedience to his commands. And let us ask God to supply by the help of his grace what by nature is hardly possible to us. And if we wish to reach eternal life, escaping the pains of hell, then -- while there is yet time, while we are still in the flesh and are able to fulfil all these things by the light which is given us -- we must run and perform now what will profit us for eternity.


Rule of St. Benedict, Prologue v. 35-44