If the Community Is a Large One
St. Benedict emphasizes the importance of choosing worthy leaders and holding them accountable to maintain a healthy and functioning community.
St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of selecting brethren of good repute and holy life to serve as deans within the community, responsible for upholding God's commandments and the Abbot's instructions. These deans should be chosen based on their character and wisdom, not by rank, to assist the Abbot effectively. If a dean becomes prideful and unrepentant after correction, they should be removed and replaced by someone worthy. The same standard applies to the Prior within the community.
Text
If the community is a large one, let there be chosen out of it brethren of good repute and holy life, and let them be appointed deans. These shall take charge of their deaneries in all things, observing the commandments of God and the instructions of their Abbot. Let men of such character be chosen deans that the Abbot may with confidence share his burdens among them. Let them be chosen not by rank but according to their worthiness of life and the wisdom of their doctrine. If any of these deans should become inflated with pride and found deserving of censure, let him be corrected once, and again, and a third time. If he will not amend, then let him be deposed and another be put in his place who is worthy of it. And we order the same to be done in the case of the Prior.
Sermon Outline
- Choosing Deans
- Select brethren of good repute and holy life
- Appoint them deans
- Charge them with observing commandments and instructions
Key Quotes
“Let men of such character be chosen deans that the Abbot may with confidence share his burdens among them.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“If any of these deans should become inflated with pride and found deserving of censure, let him be corrected once, and again, and a third time.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- Choose leaders based on their character and worthiness of life.
- Hold leaders accountable for their actions and behavior.
- Maintain a healthy and functioning community by entrusting responsibilities to trusted individuals.