The Rule of Saint Benedict

ALL shall sleep in separate beds and each shall receive, according to the appointment of his abbot, bedclothes, fitted to the condition of his life. If it be possible let them all sleep in a common dormitory, but if their great number will not allow this they may sleep in tens or twenties, with seniors to have charge of them. Let a candle be constantly burning in the room until morning, and let the monks sleep clothed and girt with girdles or cords ; but they are not to have knives by their sides in their beds, lest perchance they be injured whilst sleeping. In this way the monks shall always be ready to rise quickly when the signal is given and hasten each one to come before his brother to the Divine Office, and yet with all gravity and modesty.

'The younger brethren are not to have their beds

:4 THE RULE OP ST. BENEDICT

next to each other, but amongst those of the elders. When they rise for the Divine Office let them gently encourage one another, because of the excuses made

by those that are drowsy.

- CHAPTER XXIII Of Excommunication for Offences

Ir any brother be found stubborn, disobedient, proud, murmuring, or in any way acting contrary to the Holy Rule, or contemning the orders of his seniors, let him, according to the precept of our Lord, be secretly admonished by those seniors, once or twice. If he will not amend let him be publicly reproved before all. But if even then he does not correct his faults, let him, if he understand the nature of the punishment, be subject to excommunication. But if he be obstinate he is to undergo corporal

punishment.

THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT 55