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  AN ABBESS WHO IS WORTHY TO BE OVER A MONASTERY
  by St. Benedict of Nursia
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Summary: An Abbess should live up to her name by embodying the qualities
of Christ and guiding her monastery with divine justice.

Topics: "Christian Leadership", "Spiritual Guidance"
Scripture References: Proverbs 31:26, Matthew 5:19, Romans 8:15, 1 Timothy 4:11

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DESCRIPTION
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St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of an Abbess in a
monastery to remember her role as a Superior, reflecting the position of
Christ in the monastery. The Abbess is called to uphold divine justice
and lead by example, ensuring that her teachings and commands align with
the Lord's precepts, serving as a spiritual guide to her disciples.

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CONTENT
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An Abbess who is worthy to be over a monastery

should always remember what she is called,

and live up to the name of Superior.

For she is believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery,

being called by a name of His,

which is taken from the words of the Apostle:

"You have received a Spirit of adoption ...,

by virtue of which we cry, 'Abba -- Father'" (Rom. 8:15)!

Therefore the Abbess ought not to teach or ordain or command

anything which is against the Lord's precepts;

on the contrary,

her commands and her teaching

should be a leaven of divine justice

kneaded into the minds of her disciples.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-benedict-of-nursia/an-abbess-who-is-worthy-to-be-over-a-monastery/
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