An Abbess Who Is Worthy to Be Over a Monastery
An Abbess should live up to her name by embodying the qualities of Christ and guiding her monastery with divine justice.
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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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.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Living Up to One's Name
- A. Remembering the role and responsibility of an Abbess
- B. Embodying the qualities of Christ in the monastery
- II. The Role of the Abbess in the Monastery
- A. Holding the place of Christ in the monastery
- B. Teaching and guiding with divine justice
- III. The Source of the Abbess's Authority
- A. The Spirit of adoption given by Christ
- B. The Apostle's words in Romans 8:15
Key Quotes
“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: ''Abba -- Father'' (Rom. 8:15)!” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“her commands and her teaching should be a leaven of divine justice kneaded into the minds of her disciples.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- As a leader, I should strive to embody the qualities of Christ in my actions and decisions.
- I should seek to understand and follow the Lord's precepts in all aspects of my life.
- As a guide, I should aim to teach and command with divine justice, leading others to a deeper understanding of God's will.