There is a certain discipline needed to be able to share a room with another person, even a good friend. There are opportunities for compromising and for learning to be accepting of a roommate's quirks and for growth on everyone's part.
Chapter 22 of the Rule talks about the sleeping arrangement of the community. Benedict is painstakingly precise about how the monks should sleep. His preference if for the community to share one room and to sleep fully-clothed--ready to get up for prayer in the middle of the night.
Benedict provides one additional reason for the sleeping arrangement. He wants to provide some support and encouragement for the members who might find waking early harder to take than others. Being a person who loves early mornings I can appreciate how different persons can help ease one another into the day.
Sr. Catherine, OSB
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