On Regula Benedicti 63:12

I find it very interesting that in the Rule, St Benedict writes about “Rank in the Community”. He writes that the “elders are to call the juniors brother” and the “younger call the elders nonnus, which means reverend father”.  (RB 63:12)In the same way, the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Montmatre (more commonly known as the Tyburn Nuns, or the Mothers of Tyburn due to their motherhouse having been located at the site where the Tyburn Martyrs were executed in London after their foundress, Mother Marie Adele Garnier moved there from France) apply this to their female Religious community. Their juniors are referred to as “sister” and their late sisters are referred to as “sister”, but all the Mothers who have taken perpetual vows or solemn profession are addressed as “Mother”, although sister is used in a loose way in the community, and by visitors.

What strikes me as intriguing is that many other Benedictine communities, in particular, women's’ communities do not seem to follow this. If anyone knows why, please do let me know. Email the contact details on the back of this newsletter.