The Rule of Saint Benedict

Tue brethren shall take their places according to

the date of their conversion, the merit of their lives,

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or the appointment of their abbot. And the abbot must not disturb the flock committed to him, nor, as it were, by any arbitrary use of his power, ordain anything unjustly. But let him always remember that he will have to render an account to God of all his judgments and of all his works.

Wherefore in the order he shall appoint, or in that which they hold amongst themselves, let the brethren receive the Pax, approach Communion, intone a psalm and stand in choir. In all places, without exception, order shall not be decided by age, for this shall not be a prejudice to any one, since Samuel and Daniel, though children, were judges of the priests.8 With the exception therefore of those who, as we have said, for some weighty reason, the abbot shall advance, or for certain causes shall put in a lower place, let all the rest remain in the order of their conversion. For example, one who shall come to the monastery at the second hour of the day shall

know that he is junior to him who has come at the

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first hour, no matter what his age or dignity may be. In regard to children, let them be kept by all under discipline in every way.

Let the juniors, therefore, honour their seniors, and the seniors love the juniors. In addressing each other in person no one shall call another by his mere name, but let the senior call the junior, Brother, and the junior call the senior, Father. But, because the abbot is held to take the place of Christ, he shall be called Sir and oet, not out of consideration for himself, but for the honour and love of Christ. He, however, should remember and so conduct himself as to be worthy of such an honour.

Wherever the brethren meet each other the junior shall ask a blessing from the senior. When a senior passes by let the junior rise and make place for him to sit down ; neither shall the junior presume to sit unless the senior bid him so to do, in order to fulfil what is written, J” honour preventing one another.199

Little children or youths shall keep their respective

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places in the oratory and at table, under discipline. Outside watch shall be kept over them, everywhere

indeed, till they come to an age of understanding.