Regulae Clericis Traditae Fragmentum

Rule Given to Clerics, Fragment. By common definition we have decreed among ourselves, which afterward can never be broken by anyone. With us residing in the monastery, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, it pleased all, according to apostolic tradition, to be of one mind in the Lord and to possess in common. As it is written: Be of one mind in the Lord (Wisdom 1:1). And let no one indeed claim anything as his own, but let it be done as it is written in the Acts of the Apostles: Having all things in common, no one said that anything was his own (Acts 2:44 and 4:32). Which has been written by us. Therefore, in the Lord, by the law of observance, let us hold ourselves, and in him let us remain until the end: since it is written in the law: He who has persevered until the end, this one will be saved (Matthew 10:22). But if anyone desires to come to the congregation of brothers, who are seen to be as one, let him not be ignorant of the saying of the Gospel, which said: Sell all that is his, and distribute it to the needy and the poor (Matthew 19:21). And again: Let him deny himself, take up his own cross, and follow me (Luke 9:23). And let him not ponder in his heart about food or clothing, and other things that are necessary for the body, with the Lord himself warning in the Gospel and saying: Do not think, saying, what will you eat, or what will you wear: for Gentiles think this. Know that your Father knows that you lack all these things: seek first the kingdom of God, and its justice; and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:31-33).

Nevertheless, before anyone is established in the monastery, let him test the purpose and example of the brothers, and let him himself be tested in all his conduct by the one who is Prior, and by the others consenting, because of what Scripture teaches and admonishes, saying: Do not quickly approve a friend. But if it should happen that someone for any reason of necessity is drawn away from the monastery, let him not even conceive in his mind to carry away with him anything of all those things that were in the monastery, whether those which he once brought with him, or those which he acquired with the brothers: because it is certain that brothers ought to have, possess, give, or receive nothing without the permission of a superior. But if a relative, or a friend, or any of the brothers, wishes to offer something; first let it be made known to the Prior, and thus let it be received, if he himself gives it, concerning which, however, nothing else is done except what pleases or permits the Prior; since it is greatly to be feared that what is written may happen to him: A man changeable in tongue falls into evils (Prov. 13:3). And again, that he should by no means provoke any of the brothers to himself, lest he seem more a destroyer than a builder of the monastery: because of what is written: He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters (Matt. 12:30).

And whoever, having been provoked by someone, wishes to depart from the monastery, let him either refute the one provoking him, or first report it to the Prior. For I certainly think nothing is to be withheld from those things which we have decreed in common, because it is written: "Let many be at peace with you, but let one in a thousand be your counselor" (Ecclus. vi, 6). Therefore, these things which are written are to be observed with the utmost diligence by the Prior and by all the brothers. And if anyone has heard some teaching from someone, other than that which he has obtained in the monastery from the one to whom he entrusted himself, let him receive it, and let him not conceal it from the teacher: because it is written: "Everything that is revealed is light" (Eph. v, 13). For if it is good, it is to be praised; but if it is evil, it is to be rejected. Concerning those brothers who stand in unity, if anyone has suddenly quarreled with the Prior, it is permitted to entreat not only once, but a second and third time, as the Gospel teaches (Matt. xviii, 15-17). But if he is unwilling to correct himself, the one against whom the injury was inflicted, after the first or second correction, if he has not recalled the contumacious one, let him report it to the Prior, lest through silence both he and his brother be endangered, as Solomon says: "He who conceals enmity, prepares deceit.

If, as often happens, a sudden incursion or hostile attack occurs, so that it is impossible for the brothers to flee together because of the enemy's pursuit, and afterwards, with God's favor, they escape and are able to reach the place where they know the Prior to be, they ought to hasten like sons to a father. Nor can those whom divine charity has joined together be separated in any way, because it is written, "Perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). But if anyone, for the reason of necessity we mentioned above, retains what he brought with him from the monastery, he will be obliged to bring it to where his Prior is, because he cannot keep for himself what by common agreement belongs to all and is certainly consecrated to God. But if he thinks of retaining any of these things, he seems to act against the Apostle's saying, who says, "You should owe nothing to anyone, except that you love one another" (Romans 13:8). Therefore, all things contained in this book, all brothers who desire to be good shall observe and subscribe to. Indeed, these things are provided, that is, written, for those who are known to be steadfast in their ways.