The Rule of St. Isaac
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An Excerpt From
The Rule of St. Isaac of Lafidonia
Known as the Silly-Hatted Merry Monks of Lafidonia, these holy men practiced a communal life that emphasized fellowship, hospitality and humor. They made and drank excellent wine, and their work apparently also involved teaching children through the use of comic drawings and puppets. Their trademark silly hats are still in use in many parts of Christendom, even today.
Archaeologists recently unearthed some incomplete scroll fragments from the monastery. Most of the scrolls contain a complex series of knock-knock jokes which, while remarkably funny, only work in Latin and are not translated here.
The scroll fragments contain a small collection of Abba Isaac's sayings, along with portions of the Rule, which offers a glimpse into daily life among the Silly-Hatted Merry Monks of Lafidonia.
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The way of Christ is joy and the lifting up of our brothers and sisters.
Christ is above, so those who are downcast see Him not, although He is always present, and those who see Him are not downcast. He lifts, elevates and...[text incomplete]
Grieving over the sins, struggles and pains of our companions is a sign of compassion.
Grieving over one's own difficulties is self indulgent and displeases the Lord.
Grieving over one's own sins is appropriate, but rejoicing over God's love and grace is the
Helping your brother to laugh is a holy denial of the self.
He who brings laughter and humor to his companions opens the gates of Heaven and spreads Grace.
He who understands the Love of God will be joyful. He who is vigilant for humor and joy worships God.
A hat which is not Silly is a hat which hath lost its purpose.
The desert blooms when laughter is abundant. Like rain, laughter refreshes and brings life to dry places. Like seeds, laughter grows fruit which enriches the community. Like wine, laughter refreshes the... [text incomplete]
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From The Rule For Daily Life
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari? [transl: How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?]
... Silly Hats are to be worn, and the making of humorous verse is to be encouraged among the Monks.
Any traveler or visitor who shall seeketh out the comfort of our monastery shall be welcomed and given a Silly Hat. They shall be granted a seat at the table, be they man or woman or child, and shall be welcomed into Mirth.
...and any Monk who worketh in the Vineyard, whether pruning or harvesting, watering or weeding, shall do so as joyfully as God has granted them joy, and with gratitude – both for hands that work and for work for the hands. They too shall be invited to wear the Silly Hats.
The Monks shall hold converse together over the table, telling Silly Stories and such jokes as seem fit and funny. And there shall be the singing of songs which maketh men to laugh.
Forgetest thou not the Silly Hats, lest thou be led into temptation. For the wearing of a Silly Hat ensures the Monks taketh not themselves too seriously, and is a reminder of our Holy mission.
Our Lord Jesus Christ once wore a Silly Hat, and we are called to imitate His example.
Let every one eat and drink whensoever he wisheth, and thou shalt restrain them neither from eating nor fasting, as the Lord God grants them wisdom and joy.
Those Monks who art feeling gloomy shalt endeavor to do their work nonetheless, and shalt listen closely to the mouth of God for words that shalt bring a smile, for the uplifting of the Community. They shall not be compelled to wear a Silly Hat, nor shall a Silly Hat be denied them.
Monks who art feeling gloomy shalt attend to the humorous stories of their brothers and any visitors whom the LORD might direct to our humble table. They shalt also get a good night's sleep, so as to feel better in the morning. They shalt try to Smile, as they are able, not as putting on a false front, but as making a sincere decision.
All those of foul, angry, sad, hurt or other moods are to be accepted by the Monks, in true Christian Charity. They are to be neither rejected nor coddled nor made fun of. Rather, they are to be treated with respect and humility. They are to be offered juggling lessons, funny songs, Silly Hats or quiet time (alone or with the fellowship of the Monks), such as meets their needs.
The Monks shalt be instructed in the ways of humorous drawings and puppetry, for the encouragement and education of the local children. Juggling shalt also be practiced by those brothers who are able, and all are to bear in mind that dropping a juggling ball can be as humorous as not dropping one – and perhaps more so.
(EPILOGUE: Records from this time indicate that Christians often lived in tombs and trash heaps on the edges of major cities, more or less protected by their obscurity. - Wikipedia entry on Desert Fathers)
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