Establishing Rules in Our Work - 2

We've been talking about establishing rules in our work. Last time we focused on the importance of rules in our worldly endeavors and our spiritual life. Our conclusion promised an example of rules provided by one of our holy saints.

St Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows died very young from disease. He lived in the mid-19th century. He died at he age of 24. During his brief life he set an example for us all. While he is famous for having saved his town (and the virtue of its women) with his marksmanship (!), that's not all we should know about him. In line with our discussion of rules, here is what he left us, in writing, about the rules he followed during his all too brief life on earth.

These can be a bit daunting. But don't race through them. They really are a perfect example of someone who established and followed rules. And remember that this "someone" was declared a saint not long after he died. His holiness was legendary.

Both we who have established a good set of rules as well as we who could use some example to help in doing so will derive great benefit from St. Gabriel's rule. Just take some time to thoughtfully read his rules. Of course, they are quite specific to St. Gabriel's religious state of life. But each of us can find applications in our own work and spiritual life, if we pay close attention.

For example, any of us could use rules calling for punctuality, avoiding idleness, practicing mortification, controlling of our eyes and our tongues, eating and drinking moderately...and much, much more. At the end of this passage, we may find one or more of our own rules. We may come up with one or more that we can add to the benefit of our own worldly and spiritual life. 

Here goes:

I will keep my rule, even the smallest thing.
I will not neglect any of my spiritual exercises.
I will shun idleness.
I will be punctual.
I will obey the sound of the bell as though it were the voice of God.
I will receive all things from the hand of God, as being sent by Him for my own personal benefit.
I will profit by every occasion for mortification that may occur.
I will fulfill exactly my ordinary duties, mortifying self in whatever would prove an obstacle to perfect obedience.
I will mortify my eyes and my tongue.
I will not leave my cell without necessity.
I will not inquire after anything through curiosity.
I will check my desire to talk.
I will increase the number of such like acts daily.
I will not take any food outside of mealtime.
I am poor and I should act accordingly.
I should be willing to put up with any inconvenience gladly.
I will not eat with avidity, but rather with reserve and with modesty, subjecting my appetite to reason.
I will mortify myself in ordinary things and whatever I feel inclined to do, saying in my heart: “O my God, I will not do this thing through mere inclination, but because it is thy will”.
I will be reserved toward those to whom I feel most inclined, prudently avoiding their presence and conversation.
I will not utter a word that might, in the least, turn to my praise.
I will not take pleasure in any praise bestowed upon me.
I will never excuse myself when I am blamed or corrected, nor even resent it interiorly, much less put the blame upon others.
I will never speak of the faults of others, even though they may be public, nor will I ever show want of esteem for others, whether in their presence or in their absence.
I will not judge ill of anyone.
I will show the good opinion I have of each one by covering up his faults.
I will consider everyone my superior, treating all with humility and reverence.
I will rejoice at the good done by others.
I will not permit myself to become interested in vain and useless things.
I will rejoice at the success of others.
I will practice charity and kindness, assisting, serving and pleasing all.
I will shun particular friendships, so as to offend no one.
Every morning and evening I will practice some act of humility, and gradually increase the number.
I will close my heart against disquiet of any kind.
I will suppress immediately all emotions of impetuosity and all affections that might cloud my mind, even lightly.
I will obey the voice of the Superior as if it were the voice of God himself.
In my obedience I will neither examine the why nor the wherefore.
I will conform my judgment to that of my Superior.
I will not employ time in conversing about purely worldly matters.
“Faithfulness in little things” is the motto I will always follow in my efforts to reach holiness.
I will try to reproduce in myself whatever I see edifying and virtuous in the conduct of others.
I will give to God the best that I have — the entire affection of my heart.

Whatever rules we follow, which ever we may have gained from St. Gabriel, at the very least "Faithfulness in little things" and giving our best to God, should lie at the very core of all our thoughts, words and deeds throughout this day at work during this glorious Easter Season.

Happy Easter!