The Rule of Benedict: The Abbot (13/122)
4:13 PM Thursday. Today's reading is Chapter 2: The Qualities of the Abbot (5) – The Rule of Benedict , together with the equivalent sections in RB 1980 and Commentary for Benedictine Oblates , including "Benedict's Understanding of the Abbot" in Appendix 2 ("The Abbot") of RB 1980 . On page 521 of RB 1980 in Appendix 2 we read: "Father, teacher, shepherd, doctor, steward - these are the titles and functions attributed to abbot analogically in order to elucidate his role. The RM [Rule of the Master] contains one other that St. Benedict omitted: that of mother." It is also important to note this excerpt from page 523: "This passage, in fact, shows that the image of the paterfamilias is not really appropriate for the abbot, for the latter is never envisaged as the owner whose authority is absolute and all-embracing. His role is more humble: he is only a vices gerens , one who takes the place of, and tries to discern and execute the will of, t...