THE RULE OF LIFE
Chapter V
Recollection
1. Your continual interior silence will consist in this: that you will acknowledge, worship and bless God present everywhere, and thus you will walk in his sight modestly, faithfully and piously as it is proper for servants to behave in the presence of the Master. Make an effort to contemplate God in all creatures, and not only in yourselves, since we live and move and exist in him* ( Acts 17:28). In this way He will never slip away from your mind.
2. Examine yourselves each hour to see how much you have made progress in the Love of the Lord or have tailed. In this way, correct the failure and bring about your progress. Each hour think that you are about to die, or at least that these hours slipping by will not return. In this way you will work hard to merit continuously as much as possible, with the help of God, expecting the day's wage which is infallibly given to faithful servants (*cf. Mt 20:2)
3. In church, or as often as you will find yourself in chapel, think that you are in heaven. As many times as you cross before the Sacrament of the Altar you will humbly kiss the ground, adoring the Lord of heaven and earth really present, and worthily giving thanks for so admirable a memorial.
4. May silence - the custodian of blessed recollection - be continuous among you, especially in the chapel, the sacristy, the dining room and in other places designated for the community.
After the evening blessing and before morning blessing no one is allowed to say anything. If anyone should need to speak to another, let it be done with the superior's permission. He should precede his words with, "Blessed be God!" and the other replying, "Forever!" You will speak in a more subdued voice to the bishops or any superiors - venerating Christ in them - having first asked for their blessing.
5. Each day you will spend two hours in meditation. Each month, taking turns one after another, you will make a retreat - which we call Spiritual Exercises. We do not wish to have the superiors exempt from this, unless they are prevented by duty. It will be the superiors' duty to be certain that someone is continually on retreat, with all fervor praying the Divine Goodness on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church, Christian leaders, the Order, the house, benefactors and the dead.
6. So that you will be mindful of your vocation, and avid for the rewards prepared for those who loyally struggle until death, each day renew your vows privately before the Blessed Sacrament.
7. Any of the novices after entrance - and as well before profession - as well as those to be ordained, will diligently spend at least two weeks apart in their cell in private retreat. The time will be spent in assiduous mental and vocal prayer, in a general examination of conscience, and in considering their calling.
8. Lest you also be disturbed by outsiders, the door of the house will always be kept locked. No one is allowed to bring in anyone from the outside, without the superior's permission, nor will it be allowed for any of the members to go out (under severe punishment) without the same permission of the superior. As often as anyone will be sent outside the house, he will always go out with a companion unless the most important reason would demand otherwise. When outside the house he will direct his attention to the good edification of men by words and actions, neglecting nothing of his rule, praying intently while on his way. Having returned at the assigned time, he will candidly tell the superior all the things he has done.
Once the signal for nightly rest has been given, no one will dare to wander through the corridors, in which (according to papal decree) a lamp should be lit for the whole night.
9. In order that you may have tranquility also in the house, no one should venture from his cell for any reason unless forced to do so by a legitimate necessity. Even less should he enter another's cell, or admit anyone to his cell.
This cell should always be kept clean, the bed made, holy water present along with a picture of [Christ] Crucified, or of the blessed Virgin or some patron saint - a simple picture in printed reproduction rather than a painted one.
Always be mindful here of the Divine Presence, the angel watching over you. Never be idle, but always occupied either in reading, or writing, or prayer, or with some other useful work. Without the superior's permission he should not sleep in his cell outside the accustomed time. He should be cautious in using light. He should not keep in his cell anything which would not be in agreement with utmost poverty. Let him love his cell as if it were a temporary heaven, and desire to go out of his cell, by the mercy of God, only to heaven.
This is the blessing given by the superior at the end of night prayer.
"In private retreat" is not in the Latin, but is implied.
Clement VIII, Nullus omnino 1599: "lamps will be lit in the middle of dormitories for the whole night."
or, "take rest"
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