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''The Rule of St. Benedict'' enjoins all monks to view their fellow monks as their superiors and tend to the needs of others above their own. The monk in a Benedictine monastery is to view himself the lowest of all men, to be satisfied with the worst accomodations accommodations and clothing, to keep silence unless spoken to, to do nothing but those things commanded by the monastic rule, and to hide none of his sins [[sin]]s from the Abbot during confession. Under no circumstance is he to defend a fellow monk from a deserved punishment, even if they are related by blood.
''The Rule of St. Benedict'' has been kept in continual obedience by monks since the time it was written. [http://books.google.com/books?id=J6bxIhNMRn0C&pg=PA58&lpg=PA58&dq=athos+monastery+benedictine&source=web&ots=gbRW7eL_-X&sig=_vf05KnEpCU2Lz0-CjytqvpEa7c&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result The Latin Monastery of Amalfi] observed the Rule on [[Mount Athos]] until 1287; in the eleventh century, this ruling Benedictine monastery was ranked fifth in the Holy Mountain's hierarchy. Various other Orthodox have kept the Rule in recent times, including the monks of St. Luke's Priory under the Antiochian [[Western Rite Vicariate]]. Presently, the [[Christ the Savior Monastery (Hamilton, Ontario)|Christ the Savior Monastery]] (ROCOR) in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, (sometimes known as "Christminster") follows the Benedictine monastic rule.
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The '''Rule of Benedict''' is a rule for life in a [[cenobitic]] [[monastery]]. Written in the sixth century by St. [[Benedict of Nursia]], the ''Rule of St. Benedict'' proved to be the most influential guide of Western monasticism until after the Great Schism, perhaps the most influential guide ever in the West. Followed continuously since the time of St. Benedict, this rule is currently generally used by Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran monasteries. Designed for monks sharing in the common life, the Rule is renowned for its spiritual riches, gentleness, and balanceWest.
Written in the sixth century by St. Benedict of Nursia, the Rule of St. Benedict proved to be the most influential guide of Western [[monasticism]] until after the Great Schism, perhaps the most influential guide ever in the West. Followed continuously since the time of St. Benedict, this rule is currently used by Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran monasteries. Designed for [[monk]]s sharing the common life, the Rule is renowned for its spiritual riches, gentleness, and balance. The [[saint ]] described his rule as "a school of the Lord's service, in which we hope to introduce nothing harsh or burdensome." In its 73 chapters, he prescribes a full way of life for cenobitic monks to "share in the sufferings of Christ, and be found worthy to be coheirs with Him of His kingdom." In addition to the moral and spiritual aspects of common life, he describes the proper attributes of monks and the ruling [[Abbot]], the proper form of Divine Office, and even the appropriate way to greet visitors.
The Abbot of the monastery is to be blameless, one who teaches the righteousness of Christ through his own words and deeds. Since he is a ruler, he must be impartial, not loving one monk above another nor implementing the monastery's rules selectively. He must exhort the righteous to further righteousness and punish those who err, always adapting himself to the peculiar needs and spiritual attainments of each. Above all, he must always remember he will give account for the souls of the monks entrusted to his care on the Judgment Day.
When any decision is to be made, the Abbot is to ask the counsel of all the monastics gathered in a common meeting, but he makes the final decision himself. The monks are to offer their views humbly and in submission.
The Rule regulates the specific amount of food and drink monks are to take in a day. The monk is to own nothing of his own. All monks are to receive an equal ration, though the Abbot must have regard for those with physical infirmities.
Hospitality became a Benedictine hallmark. The importance of welcoming strangers into the monastery is best encapsulated in the exhortation: "Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ."
Beside the spiritual disposition and government of the monastery, St. Benedict outlined the form the monastic office was to take, including the [[psalms ]] to be prayed at each canonical hour. This general order is preserved in the ''Breviarium Monasticum'' (the Monastic Breviary). It can be found in English translation in two volumes: ''Monastic Breviary Matins'' and the ''Monastic Diurnal''.
The Rule states it is intended for beginners, and recommends monks read the Monastic Rule of [[Basil the Great|St. Basil]], the the ''Institutes'' and ''Conferences'' of [[John Cassian|St. John Cassian]], as well as the Bible and the lives of the saints, as they advance in their asceticism.
==External Links==
