The Rule is organized into a 7-part prologue and 73 chapters that were read daily throughout the year in three complete cycles. The first paragraph of the Prologue was read on Jan. 1, May 2, and Sept. 1, the second paragraph on Jan. 2., May 3, and Sept. 2, the third on Jan. 3, May 4, and Sept. 3, and so forth up to Chapter 73, which was read on May 1, Aug. 31, and Dec. 31.
The Rule begins with general ideas about religious life and progresses to very specific regulations about daily observance. (When to pray, how to greet visitors, and so forth.)
There's a copy of the Rule on reserve; here are some excerpts. They will give you an idea of the detail with which daily life was thought of as an expression of spiritual devotion, and also of the managerial problems anticipated by those who institutionalized monastic life.
Prologue, first and second paragraphs:
Listen, my son, to your master's precepts, and incline the ear of your heart. Receive willingly and carry out effectively your loving father's advice, that by the labor of obedience you may return to Him from whom you had departed by the sloth of disobedience.
To you, therefore, my words are now addressed, whoever you may be, who are renouncing your own will to do battle under the Lord Christ, the true king, and are taking up the strong, bright weapons of obedience.
The reading from Jan. 13, May 13, Sept. 12:
Let (the abbot) make no distinctions of persons in the monastery. Let him not love one more than another, unless it be one whom he finds better in good works or in obedience. Let him not advance one of noble birth ahead of one who was formerly a slave, unless there be some other reasonable ground for it. . . . because, whether slaves or freemen, we are all one in Christ and bear an equal burden of service in the army of the same Lord.
Chapter 22, How monks are to sleep from Feb. 27, June 29, Oct. 29:
Let each one sleep in a separate bed. Let them receive bedding suitable to their manner of life, according to the Abbot's directions. If possible let all sleep in one place; but if the number does not allow this, let them take their rest by tens or twenties with the seniors who have charge of them. A candle shall be kept burning in the room until morning. Let the monks sleep clothed and be girded with belts or cords--but not with their knives at their sides, lest they cut themselves in their sleep. The younger brethren shall not have beds next to one another, but among those of the older ones. . . .
Write a short paper that address some of the following concerns:
One of the effects of the Rule is to regiment and regularize the lives of monks from day to day, week to week, and even generation to generation. How can you relate this "reproduction of culture" to some of the texts we have read? How could the idea of exact repetition from life to life of male, celibate monks be linked to the warrior culture of Beowulf? How does the Rule deal with inheritance, and why would inheritance be a problem for a monastic community (or a warrior band)? Think about gender roles and social relations as you formulate your answer.
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