The Rule of St. Benedict by Philip Freeman

Author:Philip Freeman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

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deans: Latin decani, persons in charge of a group of ten (decania). Earlier monastic rules (Pachomius, Cassian, Augustine, The Rule of the Master) also call for deans to supervise ten men. The phrase “good reputation” (boni testimonii) recalls the qualifications of deacons in the early church (Acts 6:3).

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Sleeping Arrangements

The monks should sleep in separate beds.

They should be given bedding appropriate to the monastic life, as decided by the abbot.

If possible the monks should all sleep in the same room, but if the community is very large then they should sleep in groups of ten or twenty under the supervision of older monks.

A lamp should be kept burning in the room until morning.

They should go to bed clothed wearing a belt or cord, but they should remove their knives in case they accidentally cut themselves in their sleep.

If the monks sleep wearing their clothes, they will be always be ready to rise up when the signal is given and get out of bed without delay, each eager to begin the work of God before the others—though always with seriousness and restraint.

The beds of the younger monks should not be next to each other but interspersed among the older brothers.

And when the monks get up to worship God, they should quietly encourage one another, for sleepy people like to make excuses.

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