Sermons to the Novices Regular

Of the Concord of Brethren and the Melody of Divine Praise

EHOLD how good and how pleasant it is: for brethren to dwell together in unity. David, a saint and a truly great prophet before God, filled with the Holy Ghost, composed many psalms: some for the seeking of aid in tribulation, others in thanksgiving for deliverance from enemies. But seldom or never did he produce so good and so pleasant a melody as he uttered in this short gradual canticle, saying: Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. For all naturally seek good and pleasantness: but flee from evil and sadness, as man’s unhappiness. Therefore eager to speak of brotherly love and concord, passing over in silence other present goods he rejoiced especially in the devotion of brethren: and taking up his pleasant psaltery with the harp he sang in the house of the Lord saying: Behold how good and how pleasant it is: for brethren to dwell together in unity. Truly, Brethren, there is no greater happiness in a monastery of religious and a community of Brothers and Sisters: than unanimity of soul, and concord in virtue with observance of the rule and statutes: according to the precepts of superiors, and the counsel of elders. But this holy and God-pleasing concord of brethren the devil, the enemy of all the good, ceases not to combat and assault: in divers ways day and night laying snares to beguile slothful and unwary souls: and at one time indeed he troubles openly by vain speeches: at another he tempts and unsettles by vile suggestions: thereby to draw away th ew soldier of Christ from his holy purpose: or to bring the veteran follower into slothfulness; or to urge the weak into murmuring: or to bind the passionate in obstinacy. But against these wiles and terrors of Satan a united community of brethren struggles and triumphs; who watch in vigils by night, toil in labours by day: give heed to sacred reading; instant in devout prayers and the melody of psalms sing praise to God: and as it were trumpeting together on heavenly bugles put the demon to flight. For they torment him mightily when they fast, they strike him when they take the discipline: they tread him under foot when they beg pardon, they crush him when they humble themselves; they terrify him when they call on Jesus, they torture him when they name Mary: they drive him away when they sign themselves with the cross, they burn him when they worship the Crucified; they conquer when they obey, they straiten when they abide in solitude: they bind when they keep strict silence. Truly this is the holy assembly of the brethren who seek the Lord; who seek the face of the God of Jacob: who spurn the world, love Christ, renounce themselves and all things for God’s sake; fight against the devil and his host until he retires: and is afraid to return again soon to the camp of God. Weigh therefore, most beloved, how good it is and sweet for brethren to dwell together in unity; who gathered in one house, bound together by the profession of one rule, well ordered under one superior, rise together to the watches, come together to the canonical Hours, begin together to chant and read: strive together to perform the Divine Office worthily. Oh how pleasing and praiseworthy the assembly devoted chiefly to the praise of God; where there are as many resounding trumpets: as there are voices cheerfully singing in choir.