Rule of St. Benedict - Chapter 58

"Do not grant newcomers to the monastic life an easy entry, but, as the Apostle says, ‘Test the spirits to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1). Therefore, if someone comes and keeps knocking at the door, and if at the end of four or five days they have shown themselves patient in bearing this harsh treatment and difficultly of entry, and have persisted in their request, then they should be allowed to enter and stay in the guest quarters for a few days. After that, they should live in the novitiate, where the novices study, eat and sleep.

A senior chosen for their skill in winning souls should be appointed to look after them with careful attention. The concern must be whether the novice truly seeks God and whether they show eagerness for the Work of God, for obedience and for trials. The novice should be clearly told all the hardships and difficulties that will lead them to God.

If they promise perseverance in their stability, then after two months have elapsed let this rule be read straight through to them, and let them be told: ‘This is the law under which you are choosing to serve. If you can keep it, come in. If not, feel free to leave.’ If they still stand firm, they are to be taken back to the novitiate, and again thoroughly tested in patience. After six months have passed, the rule is to be read to them, so that they may know what they are entering. If once more they stand firm, let four months go by, and then read this rule to them again. If after due reflection they promise to observe everything and to obey every command given them, let them then be received into the community. But they must be well aware that, as the law of the rule establishes, from this day they are no longer free to leave the monastery, nor to shake from their neck the yoke of the rule which, in the course of so prolonged a period of reflection, they were free to either reject or to accept."

Chapter 58 makes it clear that St. Benedict is wary of impulsiveness. He knows how easy it is to mistake strong feelings or a desire for change for a genuine calling. That’s why he insists on waiting, testing, and asking more than once. It’s not about turning people away; it’s about helping them understand what they’re really saying yes to. Benedict is honest that seeking God isn’t an escape from difficulty. It asks for patience, obedience, and the willingness to stay when things get hard.

What’s just as striking, though, is how careful Benedict is with people. He doesn’t leave the newcomer to figure things out alone. Instead, he insists that someone “skilled in winning souls” walk with them—listening, encouraging, and telling the truth without fear or pressure. The challenges are named, but always within a relationship of trust. Benedict seems to understand that people don’t grow through being rushed or frightened, but through being accompanied well.

When you read this alongside Chapter 3, the picture sharpens even more. Benedict expects important decisions to be discerned in community, because the Spirit speaks through many voices, not just our own. Taken together, these chapters feel very relevant today. Impulsiveness doesn’t just affect us; it spills into our work, our families, and our relationships. Benedict’s wisdom is an invitation to slow down, listen carefully, and lean on trusted mentors and companions. Discernment, for him, is never a solo act—it’s something we learn by walking with others toward what leads to patience, humility, and love.