If a Pilgrim Monastic Coming From a Distant Region
A guest monastic should be received with contentment and humility, and her request for stability should be considered prudently.
St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of hospitality and discernment in welcoming guests to the monastery. He advises that guests should be received for as long as they desire, as long as they respect the customs of the place and do not make unnecessary demands. If a guest offers constructive criticism with humility, it should be considered as a potential message from the Lord. St. Benedict also suggests that if a guest desires to commit to the monastery permanently, their request should be seriously considered, especially after observing their character during their stay.
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If a pilgrim monastic coming from a distant region
wants to live as a guest of the monastery,
let her be received for as long a time as she desires,
provided she is content
with the customs of the place as she finds them
and does not disturb the monastery by superfluous demands,
but is simply content with what she finds.
If, however, she censures or points out anything reasonably
and with the humility of charity,
let the Abbess consider prudently
whether perhaps it was for that very purpose
that the Lord sent her.
If afterwards she should want to bind herself to stability,
her wish should not be denied her,
especially since there has been opportunity
during her stay as a guest
to discover her character.
Sermon Outline
- Receiving a Guest Monastic
- Constructive Criticism
- Request for Stability
- Considering Character
- Opportunity for Discovery
- No Superfluous Demands
Key Quotes
“let her be received for as long a time as she desires, provided she is content with the customs of the place as she finds them” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“let the Abbess consider prudently whether perhaps it was for that very purpose that the Lord sent her” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“her wish should not be denied her, especially since there has been opportunity during her stay as a guest to discover her character” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- Be content with what you find in a community, rather than making excessive demands.
- Offer constructive criticism with humility and charity, and be open to feedback.
- Consider the character of someone before making a long-term commitment to them.