Did St. Benedict really say THAT?

This past weekend my community celebrated one of our postulants moving on to the novitiate.   One sister remarked that it was significant to happen on Divine Mercy Sunday, "Let's pray your novice director has mercy on you!"   Poor Maria had to endure for the first couple of weeks after entering as a postulant hearing sisters sing, "How do you solve a problem like Maria?"  Not because she WAS a problem but because The Sound of Music is a perennial favorite movie of nuns.

Sr. Pat gives Maria the
Benedictine medal to wear during
her novitiate

Sr. Pat gives Maria a copy of
the Rule of St. Benedict 

Our dear holy father St. Benedict in his Rule starts out Chapter 58 (The Procedure for Receiving Members) by writing - "Do not grant newcomers an easy entry, but, as the Apostle says, Test the spirits to see if they are from God."   

It seems a little harsh to say that...it doesn't seem to be very inviting.  

Benedict apparently made those poor men stand outside knocking for 4 or 5 days and made them bear 'harsh treatment' to see if they had patience and persistence.  He doesn't describe what the 'harsh treatment' is, however.   Apparently it wasn't too devastating because men did enter the community.  

Candidates often remark to me, even in 2013, "You really don't make it very easy to enter religious life."   They are referring to the autobiography they have to write, various interviews and the dreaded psychological testing.  I've been tempted to make them wait outside the door but I'm sure my community would disapprove.  :0  "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger," is not always a good maxim to live by!

Postulant Rosa shares in the
joy with new novice Maria.

Suffice it to say that while we do still have to test the spirits; we go about it in a more civilized manner  (I think).  Life in general tends to be enough of a tester without adding more to it!