Caput IX. Scribit vivendi formam reclusis rogatus a sorore.
A Rule for the Sake of Others
The author explains that the rule is written not only for the sister herself but for the younger women under her guidance, and gives instructions for how a recluse should speak to high-ranking visitors only in the presence of another.
These things, sister — thanks be to God — shouldn't need to be said to you. But because you wanted this rule handed down not only for your own sake, but also for the younger women who are eager to take up a life like yours under your guidance, I thought these things should be included: if any person of great name or good standing — an abbot, namely, or a prior — should wish to speak with the recluse, let her speak with someone present.12
Read the original Latin
Haec tibi, soror (gratias Deo), dicenda non fuerant: sed quia nec solum propter te, sed etiam propter adolescentiores, quae similem vitam tuo consilio arripere gestiunt, hanc tibi formulam tradi voluisti, haec interserenda putavi, si aliqua magni nominis vel bonae aestimationis persona, abbas scilicet, vel prior cum inclusa loqui voluerit, aliquo praesente loquatur.
Notes
De institutione inclusarum (A Rule of Life for a Recluse) companion
A rule only lives if you keep it daily
Chosen Portion gives your new rule its anchor: one free devotional portion every day.
Aelred built his sister's day around fixed times of prayer and meditation; Chosen Portion supplies the fixed daily portion that makes a modern rule of life keepable.
- Anchor your rule with a fixed 10-minute daily portion
- Practice Aelred's threefold meditation with guided daily prompts
- Review and adjust your one-page rule after 30 days of tracked practice