Rule of Life 

“The generous love of God is the underlying reality that binds all the baptised in their glorious diversity into the Family of God, the Body of Christ. The first and foremost call of the Christian is the one received at baptism…Nevertheless, God calls each individual to a personal way of living out these promises.” [OCMM Rule of Life]

The word “rule” can conjure up images of “do-nots” – “don’t walk on the grass,” “don’t exceed the speed limit,” “you’re not allowed to!” Perhaps more helpfully it may conjure images of order and regularity. However, a Rule of Life has more to say about freedom than about “don’ts” or even “order”.

The OCMM Rule of Life provides guidance in helping us live out our vocations as Religious Sisters vowed to a communal life of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Following a Rule of Life is not limited to monks and nuns however, and many Christian disciples find establishing a personal Rule of Life is a useful way of walking their Christian pilgrimage.

Our Associates, for example, using the OCMM Rule as a model, explore establishing their own Rule of Life before making their promises. It can be a helpful tool in the face of the busy-ness of our day-to-day existence that can so often get in the way of a balanced life. As the preface to our Rule of Life expresses it [a Rule] is a response to God’s call to a way of life…” 

Some resources:
Finding Sanctuary: Monastic Steps for Everyday Life – Abbot Christopher Jamison
The Rule of St. Benedict: Insight for the Ages – Joan Chittister
Seeking Life: The Baptismal Invitation of the Rule of Benedict – Esther de Waal