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| Chapter X. How thorough is the obedience of the juniors even in those things which are matters of common necessity.
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Chapter X.
How thorough is the obedience of the juniors even in
those things which are matters of common necessity.
Next, the rule is kept
with such strict obedience that, without the knowledge and permission
of their superior, the juniors not only do not dare to leave their cell
but on their own authority do not venture to satisfy their common and
natural needs. And so they are quick to fulfil without any discussion
all those things that are ordered by him, as if they were commanded by
God from heaven;764
| 764 Cf. the Rule of S.
Benedict, c. v., where it is said that “the first degree of
humility is ready obedience. This is peculiar to those who…prefer
nothing to Christ, and fulfil the injunctions of their superiors as
promptly as if God Himself had given them the command,” etc. | so that
sometimes, when impossibilities are commanded them, they undertake them
with such faith and devotion as to strive with all their powers and
without the slightest hesitation to fulfil them and carry them out; and
out of reverence for their senior they do not even consider whether a
command is an impossibility.765
| 765 The Rule of S.
Benedict has a chapter to explain what is to be done if a brother is
commanded to perform impossibilities (c. lxviii.). “If a brother
is commanded to do anything that is difficult, or even impossible, let
him receive the command with all meekness and obedience; meanwhile,
should he see that he is utterly unequal to the task laid upon him, let
him represent the matter to his superior calmly and respectfully,
without pride, resistance, or contradiction. If the superior, after
hearing what he has to say, still insists on the execution of the
command, let the junior be persuaded that it is for his spiritual good,
and accordingly trusting in God’s assistance, let him for His
love undertake the work.” | But of their
obedience I omit at present to speak more particularly, for we propose
to speak of it in the proper place a little later on, with instances of
it, if through your prayers the Lord carry us safely through. We now
proceed to the other regulations, passing over all account of those
which cannot be imposed on
or kept in the monasteries in this country, as
we promised to do in our Preface; for instance, how they never use
woollen garments, but only cotton, and these not double, changes of
which each superior gives out to the ten monks under his care when he
sees that those which they are wearing are dirty.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
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