Rule of the Roman Orthodox Congregation (ROBC)

            

Ora et Labora.       Pray and Work.


Roman Orthodox Benedictine Congregation
[ORTHODOX CATHOLIC ORDER OF SAINT BENEDICT]
THE RULE OF THE CONGREGATION
In this Rule, "Order" refers to the Roman Orthodox Benedictine Congregation.


§ 1. Canons and their Vows of Religion.
Canons are those tonsured, non-monastic, clergy who are under this Rule (i.e., under this Canon). By clergy, we refer to two groups. First, the Major Clergy: the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, who are sacerdotal ministers in Holy Orders. Second, the Church Servitors, also called Minor Clergy, who are not in Holy Orders. All Canons find spiritual guidance in The Holy Rule of Saint Benedict. Three Vows of Religion may be taken by Canons: "Obedience, Stability and Chastity." The Vow of Obedience comprehends, in general, obedience to the Canon's own Superiors and to the laws of Holy Church; and it specifically comprehends compliance with this Rule. The Vow of Stability comprehends fidelity to the Roman Orthodox Benedictine Congregation and an adherence to "proper order" in all things. The Vow of Chastity comprehends complete celibacy for unmarried religious, and complete loyalty to one's spouse if married. All who take this vow are promising to live an exemplary life of chastity, according to his or her station in life.

§ 2. Monastics and their Vows of Religion.
Monastic Benedictines are those men and women, viz., Monks and Nuns, who are under this Rule and who receive the monastic tonsure. The Monks also may be tonsured as clergy. All monastics find spiritual guidance and direction for their daily lives in The Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, which contains the ideal model for monastic life. Four Vows of Religion may be taken by monastics, Obedience, Stability, Chastity and Holy Poverty. The Vow of Obedience comprehends, in general, obedience to the Canon's own Superiors and to the laws of Holy Church; and it specifically comprehends compliance with this Rule. The Vow of Stability comprehends fidelity to the Roman Orthodox Benedictine Congregation and an adherence to "proper order" in all things. The Vow of Chastity comprehends complete celibacy for unmarried religious, and complete loyalty to one's spouse if married.
All who take this vow are promising to live an exemplary life of chastity, according to his station in life. The Vow of Holy Poverty comprehends, in general, a rejection of materialism and the shedding of property to the extent that is feasible in the monastic's life circumstances (e.g., one who labors in a rural area may need a vehicle for transportation) and consistent with the model of monastic life presented in The Holy Rule of Saint Benedict. Monastic communities may own property for the use of the monastic community, such as monastery grounds and buildings, church buildings, and farms. Holy Poverty must be pursued in the Benedictine tradition of moderation, temperance, discretion, and common sense.

§ 3. Lay Religious and their Vows of Religion.
  Lay Religious Benedictines are those untonsured men and women, viz., Brothers and Sisters, who are under this Rule. They may not be tonsured; neither the Brothers nor the Sisters. All Lay Religious find spiritual guidance in The Holy Rule of Saint Benedict. Three Vows of Religion may be taken by Lay Religious: "Obedience, Stability and Chastity." The Vow of Obedience comprehends, in general, obedience to the Canon's own Superiors and to the laws of Holy Church; and it specifically comprehends compliance with this Rule. The Vow of Stability comprehends fidelity to the Roman Orthodox Benedictine Congregation and an adherence to "proper order" in all things. The Vow of Chastity comprehends complete celibacy for unmarried religious, and complete loyalty to one's spouse if married. All who take this vow are promising to live an exemplary life of chastity, according to his station in life.

§ 4. Oblates and their Promise.
  The Oblati, or Oblates of the Roman Orthodox Benedictine Congregation, are members who are not bound by perpetual vows. Orthodox Benedictine Oblates are those men and women who join us in their prayerful support and who positively affirm our Benedictine expression of Holy Orthodoxy.

§ 5. The Postulancy.
A Postulant Canon, Monastic, or Lay Religious, when blessed to do so by one's spiritual father or mother, makes a Promise of Obedience, for six months' duration (except that a Monastic makes a Promise of Obedience, Chastity, and Holy Poverty). One may be released from one's Promise, or may extend one's Promise for a time, at the discretion of one's Provincial Superior. Attainment of 16 ½ years of age is a pre-requisite for making a Promise. Persons having attained legal majority are not required to serve a Postulancy. The Postulancy may be waived for any candidate who has attained 18 years of age.

§ 6. The Novitiate.
A Novice Canon, Monastic, or Lay Religious, when blessed to do so by one's spiritual father or mother, takes a limited Vow of Obedience, for one year's duration (except that a Monastic takes a limited Vow of Obedience, Chastity, and Holy Poverty). One may be released from one's Novice Vow, or may renew one's Novice Vow for a time, at the discretion of one's Provincial Superior. Attainment of 17 years of age is a pre-requisite for taking the Novice Vow. The Novitiate may be waived for a mature candidate who has attained 21 years of age. The Novitiate shall be waived for any clergyman who is already in Major Orders when he is received into the Order, and also for any other person already advanced in monastic or religious life when he or she is received into the Order.

§ 7. Perpetual Vows. 
  7.a. An ecclesiastical blessing is required. A spiritually mature Canon or Lay Religious, with the blessing of his or her spiritual father or mother, takes perpetual Vows of Obedience, Stability and Chastity. A spiritually mature Monastic, with the blessing of his or her spiritual father or mother, takes perpetual Vows of Obedience, Stability, Chastity and Holy Poverty.

§ 7.b. A candidate must be competent to take perpetual vows and have no impediment to profession of vows of religion. Any person who is incompetent and/or has such an impediment will not be permitted to take perpetual vows. If and when it is discovered that a person was incompetent and/or had such an impediment at the time that he or she was allowed to take perpetual vows, that person shall, upon such discovery, be immediately released from such perpetual vows without prejudice of any kind, insofar as such vows never were valid and binding, and have no force and effect. But, if the reason that an error was made was deceit, fraud, or misrepresentation on the part of the candidate, then that person shall not be allowed to profess vows in the future.
Persons having impediments to religious profession (including but not limited to: not a Baptized and Chrismated Orthodox Catholic Christian, living in an immoral relationship [e.g., homosexual, bisexual, concubinage, bigamy, polygamy], pursuing immoral employment and/or activities [e.g., prostitute, abortionist, drug addict], only nominally Christian [e.g., Voudoun, Macumba, Santeria], serious mental or emotional instability, criminal behavior of any type) are not competent to take perpetual vows in this Congregation. Persons having attained legal majority and full emancipation may take perpetual vows. Attainment of 18 years of age is a pre-requisite for taking perpetual vows.
Any person who had not attained legal majority and full emancipation at the time that he or she was allowed to take perpetual vows, shall, upon discovery of these facts, be immediately released from such perpetual vows without prejudice of any kind, insofar as such vows never were valid and binding, and have no force and effect. If there should be no other impediment, such a person may take vows at a later time when the legal majority and full emancipation requirements are fulfilled. The capacity and competence to make an informed and conscious decision to take perpetual vows with a real understanding of their meaning, and to form a proper and complete intent to fulfill such perpetual vows, are also pre-requisites for taking perpetual vows.
Any person who is not so competent and who, by error, is allowed to take perpetual vows, shall, upon discovery of these facts, be immediately released from such perpetual vows without prejudice of any kind, insofar as such vows never were valid and binding, and have no force and effect. All superiors of the Order are exhorted, hereby, to be watchful and circumspect in these matters, and to receive no incompetent vows in the first instance. If a superior believes that a candidate is incompetent by virtue of any other reason or impediment than those specified herein, the superior shall consult the Superior General of the Congregation before accepting the perpetual vows of that candidate.

7.c. Ordained Major Clergy (both Canons and Monks) must be received into the Order by perpetual vows, and other already fully professed monastics (with their previous jurisdictions approval) may be received into the Order, by perpetual vows.

§ 7.d. The taking of perpetual vows is a prerequisite (for both Canons and Monks) for ordination to Major Orders.

§ 7.e. Canons, Monastics, and Lay Religious must not be casually released from perpetual vows; they are meant to be forever binding before God. Clergy will not be released from their vows. All Roman Orthodox clergy are Benedictines. One can not be released from the Benedictine order while serving as clergy in our jurisdiction. Neither can one be released from the jurisdiction without breaking their Benedictine vows.
The Apostolic Canons make it very clear that once we become members of a jurisdiction, we are not to change jurisdictions. This is a grave offence and merits excommunication according to those same Apostolic Canons. How does one reject his superiors and the order of the Church, yet claim not to break the Benedictine vows of obedience and stability? It is possible to leave a jurisdiction under rare circumstances, but it must be done in an orderly and respectful way, and only with their bishop’s approval. In the case of a bishop wishing to leave, he must have the synods approval. In that situation, one will most likely be released from their Benedictine vows as well. The Vows of an Orthodox Benedictine are tightly interwoven into the structure of the Roman Orthodox Church.

§ 8. The Rule of Life.
  All Canons, Monastics, and Lay Religious must have a spiritual father or mother to guide them in their spiritual development. All Benedictines are bound and dedicated to lives of moderation, temperance, discretion, common sense, stability, chastity and holy obedience, following the evangelical counsels, in the Orthodox Benedictine tradition of life in Christ; Monastics, additionally, are bound and dedicated to lives of holy poverty. All Benedictines wear their traditional habits and clerical street attire as they may, but those who live and work in the world should dress inconspicuously and humbly when they must wear secular clothes.

§ 8.a. Canons do not follow monastic rules of life. While not specially called to asceticism, Canons are certainly free to pursue ascetic disciplines, with the blessing and guidance of their spiritual father or mother. Canons may be single or married. They are generally expected to live alone or with their families; they are not expected to live in religious community, although this is not forbidden. Canons pray their Rule of Prayer privately; they are not bound to regular recitation in choir.

§ 8.b. Monks and Nuns follow a monastic rule of life by which they are specially called to asceticism, pursuing ascetic disciplines with the blessing and guidance of their spiritual father or mother. Monastics are expected to live alone or in religious community. Monastics pray their Rule of Prayer both privately (when they are eremitic) and in regular recitation in choir.

§ 8.c. Lay Religious do not follow monastic rules of life. Lay Religious generally do not pursue ascetic disciplines. Lay Religious may be single or married. They are generally expected to live alone or with their families; they are not expected to live in religious community, although this is not forbidden. Lay Religious pray their Rule of Prayer privately; they are not bound to regular recitation in choir.

§ 9. The Rule of Prayer.
Fulfilling the ministry of intercessory prayer is a primary objective of all Canons, Monastics, and Lay Religious, who must faithfully and regularly pray with compunction for all those on their prayer lists. Each Benedictine, from time to time, may be given a personal Rule of Prayer by his or her spiritual father or mother, as may be the proper medicine for his or her soul. For this reason, this Rule of Prayer necessarily is flexible rather than imposing a single standard practice on all, as if each were the same person and had the same spiritual needs.

§ 9.a. The Roman Orthodox Breviary is the approved breviary for Canons and for Lay Religious of the Roman Orthodox Benedictine Congregation, in every Province thereof. It contains the Cathedral Office of Matins (Morning Prayer) and Vespers (Evening Prayer); and, optionally, it may contain the monastic Hours of Sext (Midday Prayer) and Compline (Night Prayer). The most ancient Office of the clergy at Rome was the Cathedral Office of Matins and Vespers. All other Hours are monastic Hours, added at a later time (in the monastic schema, "Matins" refers to the Night Office [Vigil] while morning prayer, the first Hour of the Day Office, is referred to as "Lauds"). Thus, non-monastics (Canons and Lay Religious) of this Congregation may not be bound to more than the Cathedral Office.
The Roman Orthodox Breviary is not a "Little Office" in the modern western sense of an abbreviated monastic Divine Office; rather, it is the Cathedral Office, entire and complete in the two Hours of Matins and Vespers, with two monastic Hours (Sext and Compline) added for the convenience of its users. The arrangement of Psalms, for each Hour and day, in this breviary is in accordance with the monastic schema established in the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict of Nursia, as is the general arrangement of each Hour.
qThe proper times for each Hour of the Divine Office in the Roman Orthodox Breviary may be determined in two ways. If only the Cathedral Office is to be followed, then Matins may be prayed from Midnight to Noon, and Vespers may be prayed from Noon to Midnight; even so, prayer at Sunrise and Sunset is most highly recommended. If the four Hour supplemented arrangement is to be followed, then: Matins, 3-9 A.M. (Sunrise); Sext, 9 A.M.- 3 P.M. (Noon); Vespers, 3-9 P.M. (Sunset); and Compline, 9 P.M. - 3 A.M. (Midnight).

§ 9.b. The full monastic Divine Office consists of reading the entire book of Psalms each week. To accomplish this, 8 daily hours were established. However, St. Benedict stated that his concern was not in the method we use to read the Psalter, but that we read it in its entirety each week. It may be read from front to back, or it may follow a particular theme. This is at the discretion of the Provincial Superior.

§ 9.c. The use of Pater Noster Beads (the Psalter of Christ), the Chotki, the Marian Rosary, the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"), the Panagia Prayer ("Most Holy Mother of God, save us"), and other such classic devotions, as permitted by one's spiritual father or mother, is most highly recommended.

§ 9.d. Each Canon must set aside at least three times every day for private prayer, at the beginning, middle, and end of the workday. Praying the Cathedral Office, Matins and Vespers, from the Breviary daily is certainly expected of all Canons, but may be dispensed for good cause. Praying Compline is recommended but is not a requirement. Canons who are Priests or Bishops are bound to celebrate the Holy Mass on all Sundays and Days of Obligation; they are not bound to daily celebration of the Holy Mass.
All Canons are bound to participate in the Holy Mass on all Sundays and Days of Obligation; they are not bound to daily Mass. When the Holy Mass cannot be celebrated for any reason on a Sunday or a Day of Obligation, all Canons, including the Postulants and the Novices, are bound to celebrate the Pro-Liturgy.

§ 9.e. Each Monastic must follow the celebration of the Divine Office established in the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict. Each monastic community, with the approval of the Provincial Superior, may establish an additional community Rule of Prayer, to which each member of the said community may be bound. Monastics are bound to participate in the Holy Mass daily. Whenever they cannot participate in the Holy Mass for any reason, all Monastics, including the Postulants and the Novices, are bound to celebrate Pro-Liturgy.

§ 9.f. Each Lay Religious must set aside at least three times during every day for private prayer, at the beginning, middle, and end of his or her workday. Praying Matins and Vespers from the Breviary daily is recommended to all Lay Religious. Lay Religious are bound to participate in Holy Mass on all Sundays and Days of Obligation. When the Holy Mass cannot be celebrated for any reason on a Sunday or a Day of Obligation, all Lay Religious, including Postulants and Novices, are bound to celebrate the Pro-Liturgy.

§ 10. The Required Books.
The books required for all Benedictines must be acquired by each Benedictine, at his or her own expense. The required books are:
§ 10.a. The Holy Bible.
§ 10.b. The Holy Rule of Saint Benedict.
§ 10.c. Either the Roman Orthodox Breviary (the Cathedral Office: Matins & Vespers) for Canons and Lay Religious, or the Divine Office (the Monastic Office: Vigil, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None,Vespers & Compline) for Monks and Nuns.
§ 10.d. The Pro-Liturgy.
§ 10.e. The Roman Orthodox Missal, containing the Divine Liturgy of Saint Hippolytus of Rome

§ 11. The Habit Rule.
This update of the Rule of Habit was approved by Metr DAVID effective May 24, 2001 A.D., by enactment by the members of the Provincial Fathers of the Roman Orthodox Benedictine Congregation.

§ 11.a. General Rule of Habit. .
 Simplicity and plainness are the rule. Ostentation and affectation are prohibited. Expensive custom items ought not to be worn. All Habit items are black unless otherwise specified. In extremely hot climates white may be worn (with approval from the Provincial Father). The Habits of Orthodox Benedictines must be acquired by each Benedictine at his or her own expense.

§ 11.b.1. The Traditional Habit for Clergy -
 Habit Items for all clergy (Monastic or Canon) are identical. Habit Cross. A black clergy shirt with a white collar, covered by a black Cassock or tunic, black scapular, black hooded cowl. A black leather belt or black rope belt. Optional items: Pater Noster beads (150 knot Psalter) or other rosary may be worn on the left side, Rope belt to hang on the right. Also optional is the black skull cap.

§ 11.b.2. The Traditional Habit for Lay Brothers -
 Basicaly the same as above, except that the white collar may NOT worn. Also the skull cap may NOT be worn.

§ 11.b.3. The Traditional Habit for Nuns - 
Tunic, Habit Cross, Shoes & Stockings. Full Nun's Cowl (cloak or mantle) & long black veil. Optional: Pater Noster beads (150 knot Psalter) or other rosary.

§ 11.b.4. The Traditional Habit for Lay Sisers -
Basicaly the same as above, except a short black veil is worn instead of the long veil.

§ 11.b.5. The Little Scapular of Saint Benedict is an ancient sacramental, an additional and optional item of the Benedictine Habit which may be worn by all Novices, perpetually vowed members, and received Oblati. The Little Scapular is comprised in two squares of black cloth, larger than the palm of a man's hand but never larger than one foot square, which are left unadorned, and are connected by two black cords or strings. The cords or strings are just long enough so that the Little Scapular is worn with one square upon one's breast (that square is called "Ora" - "Pray") and with one square upon one's upper back (that square is called "Labora" - "Work"). A Benedictine Priest or Bishop must bless the Little Scapular according to the ritual of the Congregation. The Little Scapular is always worn under one's outer clothing, except that Oblates may wear it above their outer clothing under certain circumstances. The Jubilee Medal of Saint Benedict or other Benedictine medals may be affixed to the Little Scapular (viz., to "Ora"), but are not required, and any such medals must be blessed separately from the Little Scapular.

§ 11.b.6. Tenue de Ville - Clerical Street Attire.
Monastics are under obedience to wear the traditional habits (except for short periods of time when it may not be practical), however Canons and lay religious have the option of wearing Clerical Street Attire. The clergy and religious may always wear their traditional habits, but often this is not practical for the worker-Benedictines who take secular employment so as to support their ministries, missions, and families. These may commonly wear the preferred clerical street attire ("Tenue de Ville"), which is a common black "clerical suit," male or female as appropriate, with all black accessories (hosiery, shoes, belt, etc.).
Besides the coat and trousers, for Canons, the suit may include a black vest, and a black secular hat of a type considered common and conservative in the clergyman's locality (e.g., a fedora) is acceptable; a black beret is also acceptable as headwear (a Skullcap is never worn with secular clothes). Preferred shirts are tab-collar clerical shirts and neckband shirts (black for Canons and Monastics, white for Lay Religious). The use of rabats, shirtfronts, etc., using Roman or Anglican style clerical collars is permissible. We recommend the tab-collared shirt because it is today's generic uniform for clergy and is widely available.
The Benedictines of all Chapters wear the Habit Cross of the Congregation around their neck, over their shirt or vest. Liturgical Crosses and pectoral Icons are not to be worn with secular attire. In work situations where the conditions of labor are such that wearing the clerical street attire is impractical or unsafe, or would be ridiculous, then the use of common sense and discretion, along with a preference for black clothing where possible and allowable, is necessary. In such situations, the Little Scapular may be worn by a Novice or a perpetually vowed member under his or her clothing.

§ 11.c. Glosses on the Habit Rule. 
§ 11.c.1. The Tunic is defined for each Chapter; generally either a Cassock or Robe, always black (white is allowed In extreme heat). Any Tunic may have up to four belt loops for keeping the Belt in place.

§ 11.c.2. The Belt is a broad black leather belt (1® to 2 inches wide), with a plain medal buckle. A black rope cincture is also allowable.

§ 11.c.3. The Habit Cross is that Cross approved for the entire Congregation. (June 1999 The Habit Cross must be worn on a black cord or a chain, always 30 inches in length.

§ 11.c.4. Shoes & stockings are black, plain, & appropriate for work; men's or women's, as proper. Black leather or fibre sandals are considered as shoes and may be worn without stockings.

§ 11.c.5. The Scapular is plain black, as wide as one's body; worn over the Belt.

§ 11.c.6. The black Cowl is hooded.

§ 11.c.7. The long black Veil is worn by Nuns only, Lay Sisters wear a short veil.

§ 11.c.8. The black Skullcap is worn only by clergy.

§ 11.c.9. A cloak is a black, full-length, open front, cape, while a mantle is only elbow-length.

§ 11.c.10. The rosary of a Benedictine may be a Psalter, Chotki, Marian, or other rosary. Only monastic rosaries need have 150 knots or beads; others may use 50 knot/bead rosaries.

§ 11.d. Habit Items for Oblates. 
The Oblati, or Oblates of the Confraternity of Saint Benedict, may wear their usual clothing, appropriate to their state in life, together with: 1. the Habit Cross of the Congregation and 2. the Little Scapular of Saint Benedict. In addition, Oblates may choose to wear appropriate black or dark clothing, reflecting the black Habits of the vowed Benedictines. Oblates may not wear a clerical collar. The Oblates' Habit Cross is the same Cross worn by all Five Chapters of Benedictines, and is the sign of their affiliation. A Benedictine Priest or Bishop must bless the Little Scapular. The Oblate wears the Little Scapular under his or her clothing, except that, at a Benedictine gathering, the Oblates in attendance may wear their Little Scapulars above their outer clothing, but with the Habit Cross over the Little Scapular.

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