Sharing the Burdens of Office

Leadership can be a demanding task--whether it be parenting, supervising, advising, or monitoring. It can quickly become a 24/7 task. This fact was true even in the 6th century.


Benedict built in some ways for the superior of the community to be able to share some of the responsibilities of leadership with other members. He created the office of "deans". Deans were similar to monitors to whom he could entrust some of the daily responsibility.



The Deans were not to be a law unto themselves, however. They were to be people of humility who would willingly carry out the orders of the superior and lead through service and example. They were truly to be the helpers of the abbot and of the community.



Sr. Catherine, OSB