Concerning the Benedictine Monks

Benedict of Nursia created an order of monks, living in a monastery, to be known as the Benedictine Monks. To be a part of this monastic order it was extremely important to dedicate yourself, not only to God, but to the rules of the order. These rules were meant to guide a man on the way to becoming one of Christ's "companions in his kingdom". Like the laws of today, these rules both showed a logical nature, while blatantly exposing some rules that make little sense to us today.

The Rule of St. Benedict contained some laws which would still show an immense logic today. For instance, About Calling in the Brethren to Take Council makes a lot of sense in that the Abbot himself makes all the final decisions after listening to advice from the other brothers. This ensures that the brothers will be heard, while still keeping the authority with the Abbot himself. This may have prevented less 'godly' types from using the monastery simply to gain power in the church.

However, Concerning Obedience requires instant obedience once the Abbot has reached his decision, even as if the order came from God. In my opinion, obedience without question is, well, questionable. Should the Abbot make a choice conflicting with what a brother believed was right, a choice possibly condemning his eternal soul, should it be done without question in fear his own soul may be jeopardized if he disobeys? Logically, this could be a lose-lose situation.

Now, in order to keep an Abbot and his brothers in the proper godly mindset, Benedict decreed they should worship seven times per day. This does make a certain sense to one who has devoted his life to that God. He would have the time available to pursue his salvation through praise and meditation on the Lord. And worship can only give a monk a more pious nature.

Of course there are difficulties in remaining steadfast in a man's course toward righteousness and godhood. Benedict had a good answer for some issues. At night, the monks would sleep in the same room together, if possible. Not only did this prevent individual monks from tarrying too long in bed, and ensure their safety as well, but a brother having doubts about his vocation could not possibly run away in the night if he is surrounded by brothers at almost all times.

As strict as this all may seem, Benedict made sure it would not be too harsh on the aged and infirm. He made exception to the stringency of the rules to those whom rising in the middle of the night or early morning may be a difficulty for. Logically, this is a good way to keep everyone content well into their older years in the monastery.

And to ensure contentedness, the rules smartly allow for the prior to make allowances in the imbibing of wine. Not to the point of excess, but simply to occasionally make the burdens of monastic life a tad more bearable. No other rule that I read seemed to have as much pure logic behind it as this one. Rather than prohibit it altogether, he knew to allow it, lest the monks be tempted to do it anyway, in secret, and be tempted into excess in their secrecy.

However, I do not agree with the amount of hardship one must go through simply to join the order. While I understand a man must possess a certain will to want to join the monastery, it seems excessive to make him wait out in the cold, enduring days of insult, before even opening the doors to him. I would say that, logically, a man who is able to put up with the daily rigors for the first few weeks is going to make a fine man of the cloth without having to go through what amounts to mild torture. Having read these laws, I do not think I could possibly become a monk. Not only is chastity not a virtue in my book, but I do not like the idea of following a man's orders without the ability to question them if I feel I need to. I also suffer from the sin of sloth, and could not possibly see myself maintaining the kind of discipline and hours that a monk must keep. Plus the hassle of simply joining would push me beyond my patience. No, Benedict would not find me so devout, I'm afraid