The Rule of Saint Benedict

Whether a Monk may receive Letters or Presents

Ir is by no means lawful, without the abbot’s permission, for any monk to receive or give letters, presents, and gifts of any kind to any one, whether parent or other, and not even to one of the brethren. If anything is sent to a monk from his parents he shall not venture to receive it unless the abbot be first told. If he order it to be accepted hel may appoint the person to whom it shall be given. And let not the brother, to whom perchance it was sent, be grieved, lest an opening be given to the devil. He who shall dare to do otherwise shall be subjected to regular

discipline. CHAPTER LV

Of the Clothes and Shoes of the Brethren

Ler clothing suitable to the locality and the

temperature be given to the brethren, for in cold

THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT 95

regions more is needed, and less in warm. The determination of all these things is in the hands of the abbot. We believe, however, that in ordinary places it will be enough for each monk to have a cowl and tunic ; in winter the cowl being of thicker stuff, in summer of finer or old cloth. He should have also a scapular for working purposes, and shoes and stockings for the feet.

Monks must not grumble at the colour or coarseness of these things; they shall be such as can be procured in the district where they live, or such as can be bought at the cheapest price.

Let the abbot see to their dimensions, that they be not too short, but of the proper length for those who use them. When receiving new clothes the monks shall always give back the old ones at the same time, to be put away in the clothes-room for the poor. For it is sufficient that a monk have two tunics and two cowls, as well for night wear as for the

convenience of washing. Anything beyond this is

96 THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT

superfluous, and must be cut off. "Their shoes also, and whatever is worn out, they shall return on getting new things. ‘Those who are sent on a journey shall get hosen from the wardrobe, which, on their return, when washed, they shall restore. Let their cowls and tunics on such occasions be somewhat better than those in ordinary use. ‘These they shall receive from the wardrobe when starting and restore on their return.

A mattres, blanket, coverlet and pillow are to suffice for bedding. ‘The beds shall be frequently searched by the abbot to guard against the vice of hoarding. And if any one be found in possession of something not allowed by the abbot let him be subjected to the severest punishment. And to uproot this vice of appropriation let all that is necessary be furnished by the abbot, that is, cowl, tunic, shoes, stockings, girdle, knife, pen, needle, handkerchief and tablets. By this every pretext of necessity will be

taken away. The abbot, however, should always

THE CRULE OF.ST. BENEDICT - 97

bear in mind that sentence in the Acts of the Apostles, And distribution was made to every one according as he had need°8 He should, therefore, consider the infirmities of such as need something, and not regard the ill-will of the envious. In all his decisions

let him ponder upon the retribution of God.

CHAPTER LVI The Abbot's Table Tue abbot shall always take his meals with the guests and strangers. But when there are few guests, he may invite any of the brethren he may choose. Let him see, however, that one or two of the seniors be always left with the community, for the sake of

discipline. CHAPTER LVII

Of the Artificers of the Monastery

Ler such craftsmen as be in the monastery ply

98 THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT

their trade in all lowliness of mind, if the abbot allow it. But if any be puffed up by his skill in his craft, and think the monastery indebted to him for it, such a one shall be shifted from his handicraft, and not attempt it again till such time as, having learnt a low opinion of himself, the abbot shall bid him resume. If aught of the fruit of their labours be sold let them that have the handling of the affair see to it that they do not dare to practise any fraud therein.

Let them remember Ananias and Saphira,P?* lest they, or any who practise any fraud in regard to the possessions of the monastery, suffer the death of their souls as did they of their bodies. In settling the prices, however, do not let the vice of greed creep in, but let the things be sold somewhat cheaper than they can be by laymen, that in all things God may be ~ glorified.

THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT 99