Hello! My name is Calvin and I’m about 15 years old. I would like to join the Feline Cloister because I wish to know more about the Rule of St. Benedict and possibly incorporate more of his teachings into my life.
I confess that I was worried about the Zoom interview with Novice Master Br. Ricky. Because I’m deaf, I thought it would be hard to communicate on Zoom. But Br. Ricky had a special cat named Allysa on the call who is trained in American Feline Sign Language. Even though I can mouth-read feline mews pretty well, having Allysa was so helpful. When I shared my gratitude, Br Ricky purred. “The Rule instructs that provision be made for everyone, especially for the elderly.” (See RB 37 and below).
I like nothing better than to have company. One of my favorite things to do is to get myself into the midst of a small crowd of humans. I wait patiently to be recognized, and even picked up. With a big feline smile on his face Br. Ricky made a quick note in a little notebook with his tiny green pencil
He then explained that hospitality is a very important part of the Rule. He opened his well-worn copy of The Rule of St. Benedict in Mew and read this to me.
“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, who said: I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matt 25:35). Proper honor must be shown to all, especially to those who share our faith (Gal 6:10) and to pilgrims.” RB 53.1-2
I purred when I heard those verses. I can welcome these humans as Christ! How awesome is that!
I asked Br. Ricky if I could, as a novice, still do something else that I really like to do. When my human invites me, I crawl under the down comforter where I sleep until my next meal.
Br. Ricky chewed on the end of his tiny green pencil thoughtfully. “Well,” he mewed, “In Chapter 4 – The Tools for Good Works, Benedict does instruct that we are to refrain from too much sleeping” (RB 4.37). I must have looked crest-fallen because he quickly added. “Benedict also instructs that a monastic’s age must be taken into account.”
Allysa Furtrum, IDF (Interpreter for Deaf Felines) signing RB 53.1-2
for Calvin
“Although human nature itself is inclined to be compassionate toward the elderly and the young, the authority of the rule should also provide for them. Since their lack of strength must always be taken into account, they should certainly not be required to follow the strictness of the rule with regard to food, but should be treated with kindly consideration and allowed to eat before the regular hours.” RB 37.1-3
“Calvin, these words apply to food, but I believe that extra rest for the elderly can fall under this instruction, too. As a feline equivalent to a 76-year-old human, take all the rest that you need. Just make sure that it doesn’t become excessive.” Purr!!
I shared that I am lame and have kidney disease,” Br. Ricky looked concerned so I quickly added, “But this doesn’t bother me. My housemate Mandu is half my age. Even though he is way more agile than me, I’m still the alpha cat.” I hope that I didn’t sound self-important. I understand the Rule has a whole chapter on humility.
Calvin’s feline housemate Kathmandu aka “Mandu”
There are a few things that I don’t like. I am not happy when my human does not allow me into the bedroom to cozy under the comforter. And I also don’t like it when Mandu tries to lick my ear. “And I DON”T APPRECIATE that Mandu takes pets away from me! “ I offered with a hiss.
Br. Ricky quickly wrote something in his little notebook with his tiny green pencil. Looking up he continued gently. “Calvin, as top cat you’re like a leader in a Benedictine monastery; like an abbot or a cellarer.”
That made me a tad nervous. Who was an abbot and what does he do? Does a cellarer live in the basement? Is that where I’ll have to live as a novice?
Br. Ricky explained that I will learn all about monastic leaders. Benedict is most clear that these leaders model caring and respectful behavior towards others.” He opened his worn copy of the Rule in Mew and shared a few instructions for monastic leaders.
“They must hate faults but love the members.” RB 64.11 The abbot
“A kind [mew] is the best gift.” RB 31.15 and Sirach 18:17 The cellarer
As alpha cat I have a big responsibility to follow the Rule and create a caring household. And this is not just with Mandu. As a novice I will do my best to live the Mission of the Feline Cloister with my human, too.
I think that my human needs to learn more about the Rule and to understand how it might fit into her life. It would be wonderful for my human and I to study the Rule together. Br. Ricky clapped his paws.
My favorite verses from the Rule: Modified by Novice Calvin
“To be worthy of the task of governing a [household], the abbot must always remember what the title signifies and act accordingly. They are believed to hold the place of Christ in the monastery.” RB 2.1-2