I have been meaning to do a post about all the books that have been published in tribute to Benedict XVI since he announced his renunciation of the Papacy, but have been remiss so far. Here is an excerpt, posted by an Italian Benedictine blogger - his blog title, Romualdica, is a reference to St. Romuald, who founded the Camaldolesi branch of the Benedictine order - from one of at least five such tribute books that were published in France as specials by leading Catholic periodicals and even by Le Figaro, an icon of secularism, in the first two weeks after the February 11 announcement. I am most grateful to Beatrice who has been the unfailing source for everything significant about Benedict XVI that has been published or treated by the media in France. (I will do the omnibus post as soon as I have put together all the necessary material)...
Benedict XVI:
A lesson in humility
by Dom Louis-Marie Geyer d'Orth, OSB
Abbot of Sainte-Madeleine di Le Barroux
from the book
BENOIT XVI: PONTIFICAT DE LA JOIE
courtesy of the blog
April 19, 2013
On April 19,2005, Benedict XVI was elected Pope. On the anniversary of that event - thanks to the gracious authorization of Christophe Geoffroy, editor of the mothly magazine La Nef and editor of the recent book BENOIT XVI: Le Pontificat de la Joie - we publish the tribute to Benedict XVI written for the book by the Abbot of Le Barroux.
We were more than just a little proud that the man elected by the conclave had chosen the great Patriarch of the West, St. Benedict, as the patron of his Petrine ministry.
But we must recognize that Benedict XVI has given us a great lesson: that of true humility. This is a rare virtue. Humility is rare, very rare, even among Benedictines. Indeed, it is easy to confuse it with pauperism and cowardice.
Benedict XVI has gone through the twelve degrees of humility described in Chapter VII of the Rule of St. Benedict. It is the longest chapter, because humility is the foundation of Christian life. Jesus himself was a master of humility compared to his disciples - someone who was indeed meek and humble of heart.
Charles Péguy (1873-1914) underscored the importance of this virtue when he wrote in
Un nouveau theologien(A new theologian): "This religion... has placed pride at the top of the capital sins, has made humility perhaps more than just a virtue - (but) its very style and rhythm, its secret taste, its attitude both exterior and profoundm canal and spiritual, its posture, its customs, its perpetual experience, almost its very being".
But what is humility? In the first place, it is to live constantly under God's regard. Benedict XVI has shown this through the awareness with which he has carried out his roles. He is a conscientious man, a man who lives from that secret place of the heart which hears God's voice.
He has shown it with his courageous positions, as in Regensburg, in the Bundestag, at Westminster Hall, and with strong actions, like the motu proprio
Summorum Pontificum.
Humility means obeying, even in difficult conditions. Benedict XVI showed this by accepting the serious responsibility of Supreme Pontiff at the age of 78. He showed it by not imposing a personal program as Pope, but following the Holy Spirit in accordance with Sacred Scripture, Tradition, and preceding Magisterium.
He followed the faith of the Church, a constant theme in his teaching, as in his last discourse to the clergy of Rome, in which he spoke once more of "the great 'we' of believers".
And what humility in the simplicity with which he recalls his own life! One has the sensation that he has nothing to hide. We know that his life and his youth have been passed again and again through the sieve of mediatic scrutiny.
But the Pope from Germany has already said everything there is to say. This is the fifth grade of humility which, for the monk, consists in hiding nothing from his own abbot.
And without a doubt, he demonstrated the virtue of humility in his resignation. He had decided in conscience that the responsibility of being Pope now surpassed his physical and personal strengths - "the Church now needs someone else: - meeting the sixth and seventh degrees of humility.
If he had not already been an example of courage and hard work, one might have thought it had to do with a weakness of character But all his life has been dedicated body and soul to his work in the vineyard of the Lord. All his intellectual work and various pastoral activities prove it.
Finally, Benedict XVI fulfilled the last five degrees of humility which have to do with exterior attitudes: his reserve and self-mastery, his words, his smile, his very way of talking and walking. Everyone who has had the occasion to meet him, even briefly, are unanimous in saying that the look he gives is simple and joyful. Even if we did not have to follow all the formal protocols of respect when meeting him, we would never have treated him with 'familiarity'.
St. Benedict says that the monk who can pass through the twelve degreeve of humility achieves a charity which precludes any fear.
The last sign of his humility: when the whole earth seemed to have paused in stunned surprise in the face of his renunciation. Like the apostles witnessing the Transfiguration of Jesus. Never did a public person in our time had the authority he had at the moment he announced his decision. As if, through him, genuine humility had shown itself, and at least for that moment, resounded in the heart of every man.
Thus he demonstrated the truth of the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: "Whoever exalts himself shall be humiliated, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted".
Thank you, Holy Father. Thank you from the depth of our hearts.
Steps to humility
from The Rule of St. Benedict
Brethren, the Holy Scripture cries to us saying: "Every one that exalts himself shall be humbled; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted."
The first degree of humility, then, is that a man always have the fear of God before his eyes shunning all forgetfulness and that he be ever mindful of all that God has commanded… .
The second degree of humility is, when a man loves not his own will, nor is pleased to fulfill his own desires but by his deeds carries out that word of the Lord which says: 'I came not to do My own will but the will of Him that sent Me.'
The third degree of humility is, that for the love of God a man subject himself to a Superior in all obedience, imitating the Lord, of whom the Apostle says: 'He became obedient unto death.'
The fourth degree of humility is, that, if hard and distasteful things are commanded, nay, even though injuries are inflicted, he accept them with patience and even temper, and not grow weary or give up… .
The fifth degree of humility is, when one hides from his Abbot none of the evil thoughts which rise in his heart or the evils committed by him in secret, but humbly confesses them.
The sixth degree of humility is, when a monk is content with the meanest and worst of everything, and in all that is enjoined him holds himself as a bad and worthless workman, saying with the Prophet: 'I am brought to nothing and I knew it not; I am become as a beast before Thee, and I am always with Thee.' [The Psalm quoted by Augustine and reprised by Joseph Ratzinger in describing himself as a beast of burden for the Lord.]
The seventh degree of humility is, when, not only with his tongue he declares, but also in his inmost soul believes, that he is the lowest and vilest of men, humbling himself and saying with the Prophet: 'But I am a worm and no man, the reproach of men and the outcast of the people.'
The eighth degree of humility is, when a monk does nothing but what is sanctioned by the common rule of the monastery and the example of his elders.
The ninth degree of humility is, when a monk withholds his tongue from speaking, and keeping silence. does not speak until he is asked; for the Scripture shows that 'in a multitude of words there shall not want sin.'
The tenth degree of humility is, when a monk is not easily moved and quick for laughter, for it is written: 'The fool exalts his voice in laughter.'
The eleventh degree of humility is, that, when a monk speaks, he speak gently and without laughter, humbly and with gravity, with few and sensible words, and that he be not loud of voice, as it is written: 'The wise man is known by the fewness of his words.'
The twelfth degree of humility is, when a monk is not only humble of heart, but always lets it appear also in his whole exterior to all that see him. Namely, at the Work of God, in the garden, on a journey, in the field, or wherever he may be, sitting, walking, or standing, let him always have his head bowed down, his eyes fixed on the ground, ever holding himself guilty of his sins, thinking that he is already standing before the dread judgment seat of God, and always saying to himself in his heart what the publican in the Gospel said, with his eyes fixed on the ground: 'Lord, I am a sinner and not worthy to lift up mine eyes to heaven'; and again with the Prophet: 'I am bowed down and humbled exceedingly.'
