Find Interior Peace With the Brief Rule of St Romuald

St Romuald, whose Feast is today, founded the Camaldolese Order, now divided into the Benedictine Camaldolese and the Camaldolese Hermits of Monte Corona.

From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

The holy monk left a very short rule to follow that can open your soul to God's presence.

Among the many reformers of the religious life, one who doesn’t often get mentioned is St. Romuald. He was an Italian hermit in the 10th century who sought to revive the asceticism of eremitical life.

After leading a life of sin, Romuald fled the world and became a monk, but was not satisfied with the rigors of the community. He joined a Benedictine monastery, but then traveled around Italy, reforming monasteries and hermitages. He eventually settled down and established a monastery that would later be known as the Camaldolese order.

Romuald left a “Brief Rule” that is simple, yet profound. It can help us in our prayer life and lead to interior peace.

1

Sit in your cell as in paradise.

2

Cast all memory of the world behind you.

3

Cautiously watch your thoughts, as a good fisherman the fish.

4

In the Psalms there is one way – do not leave it. If, in your beginner’s fervor, you fail to pray the whole Psalter, do a little here and a little there, studying each with your whole mind and spirit, and when your mind wanders during the reading -- don’t quit, hurry to refocus.

5

Place yourself in the presence of God with fear and trembling, as if standing before the emperor.

6

Empty yourself completely and sit waiting, content with the grace of God, like the chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing but what his mother brings him.