This project has made me realize several things. Maybe I would emphasize that in life, when you have a dream, you can take two attitudes:
you can complain: it's too complicated, it's too ambicious... Or "What if?": What if we try? What if we do it?
So, this project has transmitted me that "it's posible", the imposible becomes posible
The project began because Aleix, which is the director of the movie,
made an assignment for the university in which he had to make a movie trailer in which he had to cut an paste different parts of videos
he made a trailer of what could be a movie about "3 religious rebels"
everything was fake, I mean, he picked up parts of films and series...
The thing is that he showed it to us afterwards, and to many other people,
and the truth is that we liked it because some of us had read the book
And it was a book we had enjoyed.
Well, not only that, it had...
It had touched us deeply, in the way that Roberto, the main character, has to live sainctity.
his way of living life, of fighting for his ideals.
In that moment when we were sixteen, seventeen, eighteen years old, it enthusiasmed us.
So, the ground was prepared for the trailer to motivate us,
then Aleix, well we were searching for something to do that winter,
that year in general, some activity to do. We were thinking in doing some volunteering...
we were not sure about what we wanted to do, we wanted to do something together, and then Aleix told us: hey, ¿why don't we make a movie?
We liked the trailer, and it would be awesome to have the movie in cinemas, ¿why don't we make it then?
Then I thought: well, ¿Why couldn't we make a movie? It's not absurd,
then things got started, you are in charge of the camera,
and then everyone, well, none of us had ever made a movie, not even a short one, one of us had made a little video, but,
We knew nothing, and then what we did was, Ok, I do this, and we would start to search in the internet, for example, types of cameras, ¿how do you shoot cinema? ¿What's the process? etc.
So, everyone got informed of his task. The one in charge of the lighting how to lighten in cinema, which lights do you use,
in that sense it was a very enthusyastic moment, investigating, and that was cool, and it seemed like the project could go on,
but the practical part wasn't going so well, because two months prior to the shooting,
the shooting was in July, so this was in May or April, we didn't have any monastery to go to,
all of those that answered me said me no or they didn't answer at all,
then we didn't have a camera either, we didn't have any lights,
I had also sent an application form to ask for extras, and only two people had signed up,
so it looked like it couldn't be,
time passed by, and there were still many things left to do,
in that moment I thought: maybe it doesn't come up, what a pity, but this has just been a project, an idea, it doesn't have necessarily to go on.
And then it was when God manifested himself clearly and told us: "No, I want this to continue".
Then, suddenly a woman told us that she had a brother that's a monk
in the monastery of Santa Maria de Huerta, in Soria, that maybe they could allow us to shoot there,
so that we should call him. We called him, and he said no problem, and also the monastery was only an hour and a half far from Madrid,
suddenly, doors started to open, a man from Schoenstatt from Barcelona, that works in Sony, told us that he could lend us a camera, when normally this type of cameras are very expensive.
Another person, that helped us during the WYD, tells us that he can lend us some lights for free.
I mean, suddenly all problems went away, little by little, everything got solved,
so, what we saw is that what God wants of you is to trust Him.
Normally, I tend to be very realistic, I mean, no, consider this, think about that, and so on,
And when he told me I said: I think it's a great idea, Aleix, great.
And he wasn't expecting that, he didn't expect that his idea would be accepted, you know?
And then he called more people and the answer he got was support and motivation.
It's been amazing how we started to dream and it has become very big
For example, the first budget we had for the movie was five hundred euros,
We wanted to organize a party and earn five hundred euros and that was all,
And specially, I think the project has changed, at the beginning it was a huge challenge, something I thought it was almost impossible,
And then a lot of things have come easily, people that have helped us when we began,
people that got really involved with us, people that got enthusiasmed, even people that didn't have anything to do with us, you know?
at the end you realize that when God wants something, he'll not only search people to help you do it, he'll also make things easy for you
For the project, it has been a proof that if you want, you can do anything.
It's been like a dream, to see how we put the means to achieve that dream, and then see how it comes true.
It all started as an absurd, crazy idea, that could have end up just as a joke between friends, and then we really did make a movie.
We knew nothing about cinema, we had no means at all.
There have been tough moments all the shooting long.
In the shooting, in the preparation moments, and also the postproduction has been tough.
There have been days of no sleeping, of long testings, the difficulty of facing something new,
All this has been a learning process for us.
And it goes on, it goes on because we have trusted it to God.
At the end is friendship what makes you continue, see? We have started this, we are having fun,
because we did have a lot of fun.
At the end this is part of the project, we have been together, we have known each other better,
And we have integrated people that initially wasn't part of the group, and that have felt very happy and part of it.
and they also felt that they could give the things they knew, you know? And between this friendship the project has been forged.
So I think it's essential, because friendship, the links between people, that's what makes you live the project,
I mean, it's impossible to try to give a message about community and ideals, sainctity, if we don't live that in the crew, you know?
If we are not friends, if we don't get along, if we don't share the same dreams.
So I think that friendship has been the essential part in this project.
I think it's an evangelizer project, it's a way of getting close to people you don't know, and make them a gift of something you have.
And that's faith, and what this movie reflects.
I take everything, all the effort behind the project, the dreams, the work of everyone, we were like a team,
and that, that community aspect, was fantastic, and it's amazing.
And the movie, even if it's only for the work of everyone, has to succeed.
I take all the fruits of this project, in spite of all the crisis we passed, the tensions, which are normal,
I think that everyone that has been touched by this experience, has been also got closer to God.
With that desire to make known this story that we think can change the world and the youth,
These two pillars have been the ones that have allowed the project to go on.
Project 3MR it's a cry to the world and to society that things can be done,
And that if God is in your side, you are unstoppable.
In the beginning, the word "monk" meant lonely.
Nobody knows who was the first man that decided to leave everything and head to the dessert in research of loneliness.
But we do know whose life became a lamp and a light for many people generation after generation.
Benedict of Nursia, son of a roman noble man, because of the decadent morality of his time, decided to depart from the world and to live in a cave in Subiaco.
Soon, many young men joined him attracted by his fame of wisdom and sainctity
His community grew and Benedict became the Abbot of a flourishing monastery: the Abbey of Montecassino.
In there, Saint Benedict wrote the Rule, which stated how the monks should live, owing to two basic principles: prayer and manual labour.
The Benedictine Order came into being because of him, and it soon spread through the Old Continent.
By the time the Roman Empire fell, the monks were the only ones that dared to colonize the inhospitable areas and they founded monasteries in the territories at war.
However, sluggishness and corruption infected the ecclesiastic world.
Selling bishoprics was common everywhere, and in Rome, noble houses were fighting to gain the papacy, as if it was a manor.
In the north of France, the reformation started by the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Cluny was trying to amend these deviations and to regenerate the whole Church.
But the soul of the Christendom lived in its strong and proud knights. Their courage and bravery allowed them to pursue the greatest feats.
By that time, I was fifteen years old. My cousin Jacob had just been knighted. And I was about to make a decision that changed the course of my life.
Three Religious Rebels
I see you somewhat discouraged son
I don't know how to tell it to father…
Some day you will have to
I know, but I never find the courage to do it. With cousin Jacob's banquet Father doesn't do anything but think of the day I will also be knighted.
Your father has been dreaming about that day since you were born.
That doesn't help at all! He will never agree on me becoming a monk.
Come on Robert, you have been wanting it a long time. Don't let this dishearten you. You just have to dare!
News arriving from Rome are terrible. The Pope has died, but it hasn't been possible to convoke an election yet.
The House of Tusculum has imposed its heir, Teofilus, as the new Pope.
Oh my God!
But that is not the worst part. The boy is only twelve years old!
Twelve? Twelve years old and he is already Pope?
Doesn't anybody care about what happens to the papacy anymore? Where are the other barons of Christendom?
They couldn't care less! They have been used to this for so long they don't conceive a different way of acting.
I propose a toast to cousin Jacob!
To cousin Jacob!
You should have seen it. It was incredible! There was the Count of Champagne and all the barons of the region.
First of all you kneel before the Count. You place your hand before his hands and pronounce the oath of allegiance.
Afterwards, he takes the sword and appoints you knight of Champagne. The day you are knighted you'll see it for yourself.
No cousin, I will never be knighted.
Jacob, we are waiting for you outside.
Someday the truth had to come out.
You didn't see his face when I said I would never be knighted…
Tonight is as good as any other.
I know, I know… It's fine… I will tell him.
Ermengarde! My brother Leon says his harvest this year has been as good as ours.
It seems the time of the famine is finally over… for good.
Robert, I would like to talk to you.
Tonight you said something to your cousin that surprised me. I may have heard it wrong.
Did you say you would never be knighted? What exactly did you mean by it?
I said what I feel Lord. I will never be knighted.
And why is that?
I won't be knighted because I know a higher and nobler kind of chivalry.
I can't seem to get where you're going.
I don't wish to serve a Count or a Baron as noble as they may seem. I want to faithfully serve God.
Father… I want to become a monk.
What?
I have been raised by the Benedictine monks. I did learn more than the Trivium and Quadrivium from them.
During the famine and shortage, you gave a lot to the poorest, and so did uncle Leon… I feel very proud of the chivalrous blood that runs through my veins.
But the monks gave much more than you.
The doors of the monastery of Saint Peter where overcrowded with poor people. And yet no one returned with empty hands.
And for that reason the monks were dying of hunger. Do you understand? They were dying of hunger and scarcity!
Then I realized that one doesn't need to grasp a sword to be a knight. I realized that there is a nobler and higher chivalry.
Who inculcated such an idea in your mind? The monks or your mother?
None of them.
Who then?
God
What you're saying makes no sense! You will be knighted as your cousin. And that's it!
You cannot make that decision for me.
Of course I can! I'm your father
You have to understand all this is too hard for me. He is our only son.
Besides, he is so ardent that I'm afraid he could be easily disappointed.
You know as well as I do that some monks should have never stepped a foot inside a monastery.
There are also abbots more concerned about wealth than to give glory to God.
I don't want Robert to have to live with that.
The monastery of Saint Peter is not a common monastery. Their monks are reformed monks from the order of Cluny.
And still, if things get as bad as you mentioned, who more suited that Robert to fight against it?
Few people are as strong-minded as he is to change what they believe is wrong.
You are proud of Christian chivalry spreading around the world.
Let Robert bring it to the cloister!
In the castle of Troyes, my mother always had her own way. Therefore, after some time, my father called me to his presence.
Have you called for me sir?
My son, you mother has convinced me, and you too.
You can go to the monastery of Saint Peter. You can go this very year.
But if you are to become a monk, be a real monk. Be firm, be honest, be a man that can be trusted.
The other day Teofilus was appointed Pope. A twelve year old child in the Chair of Saint Peter.
The Church needs saints to balance such a monstrosity. Saints! Do you understand?
You were burning with desire to become monk. Let be it! Keep burning! Don't turn out a straw fire.
Consider you entrance in the monastery as if you drew the sword for God.
I command you son. Don't ever sheathe that sword.\
Pardon me!
Don't worry Frater. Are you a novice?
Yes, I am looking for Father William
Then you're going in the wrong direction. We novices have to go this way.
Oh! Thank you.
By the way, my name is Maurus.
I am Robert.
The most important job you will do as monks is studying and copying our library manuscripts.
However, as novices, you will have to do other jobs for the monastery as well.
When the bell rings, you shall head over to the church for prayers.
He is Father William. He will be our Master of Novices.
He is a bit strict.
From None to Vespers you will do the afternoon labor. After Vespers you will dedicate yourselves to study and reading until supper.
After Compline, silence hours will begin.
That day, I experienced for the very first time the taste of the monastic life. It tasted like loneliness.
However, I remembered that my father used to say every warrior knows a desolation moment before going to combat.
That memory encouraged me.
Life at the monastery was very busy.
We spent the most part of the day at the scriptorium, studying and copying manuscripts;
or in the Choir singing the Divine Office.
We, as novices, spent the rest of the day doing different jobs for the monastery or in the kitchen.
It seemed unbelievable that I had ever had leisure time back in the castle.
Even during collations we had to keep silence while listening to a part of the Rule or some other edifying text.
Our Abbot, Dom Bernard, would often talk to me. He would always have some advice for me.
Study and live the Rule, my son. Do it and you will not only be a good monk, but you will be saint.
Every morning, Dom Bernard taught us different chapters of the Rule in the Chapter House.
The Rule contained all the teaching of our father Saint Benedict.
I soon discovered a great wisdom in the Rule.
"… And I sought for a man among them who would stand in the breach of the wall before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none".
I picture a town burning in flames, besieged from every corner and with an enormous breach in its walls.
Through this breach the enemy is about to break into the city.
Is there anyone willing to defend the breach at the wall? Is there anyone willing to be saint?
Maurus and I became friends. He was older than me and had been novice for a longer period. Thus, he helped me adapt to the monastic life.
We used to discuss often over many different topics, from the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures to the right observance of the Rule.
However, his influence wasn't always good.
He knew all kinds of tricks to elude our assignments and to escape Father William's control.
For some reason, whenever I followed Maurus I ended up being in some kind of trouble.
"We deliver the Tithe of this year's harvest, according to the dignity of our mother house of Cluny,
and of our Most Reverend Abbot Hugo, which, in fact, is the Abbot of us all…"
I am quite impressed with this boy.
Who?
Novice Robert. I am astonished with the effort he puts on everything he does.
He is always the first in all matters.
Don't you think his attitude is a little bit presumptuous?
Why would it be?
He tries really hard, as if he wanted to be seen. Moreover, he walks in a haughty manner, as if he was a knight.
It is the ardour of his age. I don't see any harm on it.
In fact, I would worry if this fervor extinguished. It would mean we are doing something wrong.
Maurus, who are they?
They are peasants who grow the lands.
I can see that! I mean, what are they doing in this lands, they are monastery's lands.
Well, these men grow them for us.
But, aren't we supposed to do it ourselves? The Rule states that every monk should live from the work of his hands.
Robert, you cannot take the Rule literally. Besides, we cannot do two different things at the same time.
We cannot be copying manuscripts and growing the lands.
As far as I know we don't seem to have the ubiquity gift yet…
Father William! Hurry! Run!
But didn't he tell you to collect these from the orchard?
No…
Then it is stolen.
Look frater. Don't you pay attention to the gospels?
Luke 10-7. "The workers deserve their wages".
Come on, I think he might have passed by.
Father Abbot, I would like to ask you something that preoccupies me.
Go ahead.
I find that sometimes there are certain differences among the way we life and what the Rule states.
And what those differences might be?
Saint Benedict insists on the aspect of the manual labor, and we are not doing any actual manual labor.
Well! It is the first time a novice complains for the lack of manual labor.
Don't you have enough with the cleaning and kitchen chores?
Well yes… but I think Saint Benedict didn't mean that kind of manual labor, did he?
He was referring to the hard and tough labor of growing the lands. Besides, we have servants that do it for us,
and when we stop being novices we won't even be doing domestic chores.
You are right, my son. But Saint Benedict lived five hundred years ago.
Things have changed a lot since then.
Manual labor was necessary in those days, because both Saint Benedict and the first Benedictines lived a very simple life, almost like peasants.
But our lives don't have that simplicity. We have a much higher task to complete:
to copy the manuscripts of our library. If we fail to do this, all the teachings of the Fathers of the Church and the old masters will be lost.
It is a great responsibility.
But… Saint Benedict insists on manual labor. If we fail to do it, will be still faithful to the Rule?
Let me ask you a question that may solve all your doubts.
If Saint Peter came back to Rome nowadays, in this very year of 1034,
do you think he would find the same Church he ruled a thousand years ago?
No. I think he would feel uncomfortable surrounded by cardinals and kings.
I think he would get upset to see a thirteen-years-old child sitting on his chair.
In fact, I believe he would prefer to return to Heaven.
But in truth it is the same Church, Robert. The Lord still is the same, and so is the Faith.
The essence remains the same, however the forms have changed. Do you understand?
So… essentially, we are the same as the first Benedictines?
Exactly! We live in communities, under the command of an Abbot and according to the Rule.
The external differences you may notice don't affect our essence.
Saint Benedict would find the exactly same spirit here as in Monte Cassino.
Change doesn't necessarily involve deviation, but evolution.
What do you think?
What do I think? I think you are right! And it might be best for me to learn to think a bit more.
Oh! It is time for Vespers.
I bet Brother John falls asleep today as always. Pay good attention, it always happens after the second psalm.
The Count of Champagne and his cortege has arrived. We need your help.
Why is the Count visiting us?
He came to spend Christmas here.
Here?
Yes. He does it every year.
Welcome, Count, Countess. It is a great joy to have you here with us.
A present from the county.
We thank you deeply! This way please.
Hey, doesn't he prefer to spend Christmas at his court?
The Count has made innumerable donations to this monastery. It is a great honor to receive him here every year.
In fact, it is said that he wants to be buried here.
Here…?
Silence! You will come to speak with me later, Brother Robert.
Benedicite.
Dominus. Come with me.
Why were you and Brother Maurus talking without permission?
I… I am sorry Father William. It was my fault. I initiated the conversation.
You think that rules are not made for you, don't you?
Well, that is called pride. And pride is one of the worst sins.
Father William told me many things about pride and humility that day.
Too many for me to be able to understand at the time.
But the one thing that he made clear was that I was prideful and that I should be more humble,
and that if I kept being prideful, I would never be a good monk.
I don't know why, but when I saw those men, I felt a profound peace inside me for a second.
Can we come in?
Yes! Come in.
We thank you for receiving us. We were travelling to Troyes when this storm surprised us.
As soon as it eases we will be on our way.
Please, sit down.
My name is Bruno. He is Odon…
I am Alberic.
They are John and Peter.
I am Robert. Tell me, have you had anything to eat?
You are not monks, are you?
No. We are hermits. We live in the woods of Molesme.
And what is that has brought you this far?
We are going to Troyes to talk to the bishop so he may grant formal approval for our little community.
I always thought hermits lived alone.
Let's just say the Providence has gathered us during this phase of our lives.
And what about you? How long have you been Benedictine monk?
Oh no! I am still a novice. I will finish in two months, and then I will make vows.
So in two more months you will be all of a monk. Maybe you are to be a new Saint Benedict!
Isn't that a bit presumptuous, Brother Bruno?
Presumption… Humility isn't at odds with great ideals.
Many think they are humble only because they dream in diminutive.
Well, it looks like it has stopped raining. We must get going.
But it is late! Stay for the night. Our Abbot will be pleased to accommodate you.
Express our gratitude to your Abbot, but we have to follow our journey.
I will keep you in my prayers.
May God protect you, Brother.
May the Lord guard you.
I lately find Robert is more distracted than usual. I am afraid being indoors for so long isn't making any good.
Young men need to move and breathe some air, especially now with the vows approaching. I wouldn't want them to be nervous.
Maybe you could assign Robert a task outside the monastery. Send Maurus as well, so that they can converse and get distracted.
So be it.
Well, where were we?
"We would appreciate to…"
Oh yes! "We would appreciate to be granted the exploitation rights of the lands that go across the village…"
Robert, go pick up some firewood with brother Maurus.
Let's go Robert!
I can't believe they have let us out. I've been inside the monastery for weeks.
We have until None. We have the whole morning to do whatever we please.
What is the task that Father William gave us?
To collect firewood.
Oh well! Then we have plenty of time…
Maurus, what does being a monk mean to you?
Why in the world are you asking me this right now?
I don't know. It's just that the other they, a group of hermits came by the monastery and…
Don't tell me you want to be a hermit!
No, it's not that… It's just that I felt a bit jealous. They seemed really close to God.
Don't you like the life in here?
I don't know… Sometimes I have this odd feeling. It's like if I was giving God to little of me.
Too little? We spend the whole day praying at the chapel!
We are giving Him the same as the founders of Cluny, and they were saints! Don't you think it is enough?
The founders of Cluny rescued monasteries from the decadence and mediocrity. But, isn't now the time to go further?
The hermits said something that stroke me. They said: we have to be a new Saint Benedicts. They said we have to change things.
And I feel I am only saving my own soul, but, what about the rest of the world?
What about it?
We cannot pretend it doesn't exist. Wars, hunger, discord… We must do something about it!
Well, I hope you can tell me what we can do from the monastery...
Come on Robert, it's time to return.
Can I ask what are you doing?
Collecting firewood.
And wouldn't you mind collecting it at the monastery instead so that we don't have to carry it all the way back?
Oh…
Have Robert and Maurus come back from the task you entrusted them?
They should be here by now. I sent them to collect firewood, so they are probably leaving it around the kitchen.
I'll go see if I can find them.
Brother Robert, I would like to have a word with you when you are finished with that.
Yes, of course.
I will be waiting in the backyard.
What would Father Abbot do without his favorite novice?
Well, son. The time of your vows is about to come. Do you feel ready?
If I am to be honest Father Abbot, I don't.
What troubles you?
Something you would call a conflict of ideals.
When I entered this monastery, you told me to study the Rule of Saint Benedict. Not only to study it, but you told me to embody it.
And the same did my father. He said: "Unsheathe your sword for God, and do not ever sheathe it again. Be a rightful monk."
Don't you think you are being one?
I am still a novice, and I wouldn't want for you to find me presumptuous,
but when I compare Saint Benedict's life to my own, I see that we are not only distanced by five centuries but also by far less authenticity.
In what way?
I know you told me that change does not necessarily means deviation, but we follow the observance that the abbey of Cluny dictates, right?
Yes, that is right.
Then, wouldn't the original observance be a more generous gift for God?
Wouldn't it be, maybe even nobler, to live with the simplicity of Monte Casaino,
with its solitude, its manual labor and its complete isolation from the world?
Yes, my son. I believe you are right. That would the noblest.
Receive me, Lord, according to your Word, and I shall live. And do not obscure me on my hope.
Ten years later.
But then, you want me to be appointed as prior of the monastery?
That is right, Father Robert.
If that is your wish, I shall do it. But let me say that I don't feel capable of it.
I am sure you will do just fine.
Father Abbot, I would like to ask for one last thing.
Yes?
Maybe, wouldn't it be the moment to start living the rule in a more authentic way?
My son, you will never be a good diplomat. You are more transparent than glass.
You would like to introduce some reform so that we can live more like the first Benedictines, isn't that right?
I understand you well, my son, but the moment is not quite yet. The community is not ready.
They have change in having you as their prior. Let them habituate to you first.
Yes, Father Abbot.
Frater! I haven't congratulated you for your new appointment as Prior.
Ah… Thank you…
What's with the long face? Is something wrong?
No, it's nothing.
Well, anyway, I have some news that will surely make you happy. Pope Benedict IX has abdicated! Theophilus is no longer Pope!
Wow! That is great news.
I knew you would like it.
Benedicte.
Dominus.
Prior Robert asks me to bring you the count on the grain harvest from this year.
Wow! That is great! I did not expect him to have it so soon. Brother Robert is truly efficient.
Truth being said, naming him prior was an excellent choice.
Although I must confess I wasn't convinced at first. You know that Brother Robert is too stubborn and extremist in his opinions,
but he has turned out to be a great prior in the end. Even the grumpiest monks are becoming friendlier.
He is as good as it gets. He has even gained a good reputation among the peasants from the region.
They have him for a holy man.
If that makes them give more food to the monastery, I myself will preach about his miracles.
And maybe this time as prior will help him to forget those odd ideas about the Reform.
I believe you are a little naïve. I think Brother Robert will never forget about that.
He is just waiting for the right opportunity.
Father Robert, there is a man called Alberic that wishes to see you.
Brother Alberic?
How are you, Father Robert? Do you remember me?
It has been a while. How is everything going?
Well, things could go better. Brother Bruno left toward the Alps to lead a community there and the rest of us feel a little lost.
I see, and what has brought you here?
Robert, we have heard about your reputation all across the region and we wish to ask you to guide our community.
Yes, the whole community has agreed on it.
Alberic, I really appreciate your coming with this petition, but it cannot happen.
I am tied by the vow of obedience, and only my Abbot can free me from it.
But go to the Bishop. Surely he will find someone better than me to guide you.
Well… Thank you.
I am sorry if I disturbed you. God bless you.
God bless you, Alberic.
Yes, father Robert?
Reverend father, I would like to ask you to free me from my vow of obedience, let me depart with the hermits from Molesme and found a community with them.
I am sorry?
Father Abbot, these hermits have been left without anybody to lead them and they have asked me to join them in their path.
They are willing to take Saint Benedict's Rule and live it in its whole purity. It's the opportunity I have always wished for.
But that cannot be, Robert. We need you here. The community needs you. You cannot imagine the good you are doing with your example.
But…
No, Robert. You shall stay here.
I'll obey, Father Abbot. As you wish.
That day I learned what it truly meant to fulfill the vow of obedience.
The Abbot has told me everything.
Maurus, you have known me for ten years. You know that my only wish is to be able to start living the original observance of the Rule.
Nobody seems to be on my side. I feel like a walker which travels towards a distant peak.
Everything ahead of me is mist and fog and no path appears before my feet.
It's as if my opportunity to carry this out is never going to arrive.
Come on! Where is the stubborn Robert I once knew? I am sure that opportunity will come across someday.
Did you call for me?
That's right, father Maurus.
You are losing tomorrow a friend, and I will lose the support for my eld.
Our Father Prior is leaving us. Robert is leaving.
How? When?
He will become the superior for the hermits of Molesme.
But you have always denied it to him.
This time I cannot deny it to the authority that demands it from me.
The Pope!
That is right. Even to Rome has Robert's reputation arrived.
When they saw their requests were being denied, the hermits decided to go to who could not be disobeyed.
And to Rome they went. So this time I don't have a choice.
Do you think his Reform will result?
Well. You know that discussions about the true spirit of the Rule are not something new.
But maybe Robert, despite of his youth, or maybe thanks to it, has found the crux of the matter.
I don't know, but in my opinion he's exaggerating. I share all his opinions except this one. There must be a reason for it.
Father Maurus, thanks to God our community is very normal, but there are not many monasteries like ours in France.
Cluny did plenty of good on its time, but now Cluny…
Look, all throughout France there are monasteries in crisis, and some in open rebellion against rules they reckon to be too strict.
The monastic world needs something radical, something that makes it tremble and awakes from its ease.
Why then did you never let him make it here?
You know how monks are in this monastery. The Reform that Robert is proposing is too much for them.
No. Robert has to start this Reform with new people, creating a monastery from the ground. That is the only way.
Yes, Robert will have his opportunity with these hermits, and you will also have yours.
What do you mean?
I need a prior, and I consider you the right person for this job.
Me?
Yes. You, Father Maurus.
But you know I have a very sharp tongue.
It can be tamed.
Twenty years of efforts have not made a difference.
Then you shall keep trying.
Come on, go see Father Robert. Surely he will have many things to tell you.
Hello Father Prior.
So you knew?
Indeed, it is a great responsibility. Dom Bernard is very old, so you will have to be in everything, except in the name, abbot of the monastery.
Forget that now. You may fool the Abbot, but not me. Tell me, you were the one who told those hermits to go see the Pope, didn't you?
No.
No?
Well you should have. And you would have spared them and you all this years of waiting.
Yes, and I would have been asking myself the rest of my life if this was my will or God's will.
It is better this way. Now there are no doubts.
Look Robert, no one can live this Reform except you.
Maurus, too many lenitives have been introduced in the Benedictine order. We need to get back to the original observance.
I wish you could come with me. I will need a real friend there. You have always been one.
And I still am.
I know. Pray a lot for me.
That I can promise.
May God be with you frater.
Even if the other abandon me, He will always be with me.
Those men lived in the most humble poverty.
There was nothing to reform there. No lenitive or custom to abolish.
All there was to do was to start living the Rule.
At the end of the day, I would go to sleep more tired than ever, but also profoundly happy.
I am pleased with your smile, Brother Alberic. Keep it forever.
I cannot change it.
But an Abbot does have the power to change charges. From now on you'll be the Prior of Molesme.
I am here to obey.
Well then, my first command as abbot will be for you to keep smiling.
We are clearing this field. I imagine we will have to be the entire winter working on it.
Afterwards, in spring and summer, we will have to farm it, plow it, care for…
All I hope is that we get a good harvest in autumn. We cannot feed ourselves out of stumps.
Naturally. Do you think it will be a good crop?
The soil that has never been plowed does not produce much on its first year, but we'll trust in God.
No one beats you at this, Alberic. How are the rest of the jobs going?
Come, I'll show you.
This is the beginning of a canal that will bring water to the monastery.
We are drying out that swamp to make a crop field.
Those two monks over they are paving the hill and filling up the gulch two obtain a new wheat field.
All this with only seven men. What could you achieve with an army?
Well, I have also sent two other monks to get wood in order to build a barn for cattle which we still don't have.
Great faith you have, Father Prior.
For now what I have is plenty of work to do, Reverend Father.
We may not be the God's knights you expected us to be, but at least we are the hard workers the benedicts are supposed to be. That part of the Reform is accomplished.
I'm glad you called it Reform, not rebellion, like others.
Who?
Forget it, just monks from other monasteries, which openly criticize us.
Well, that might as well attract attention upon us. Our critics are making us a favor by calling us rebels.
Let's then be the rebel monks!
You'll see. Applicants will come from everywhere and I will have to prepare fields for all of them to work.
Applicants! Applicants coming!
Alberic, you're the prior, you go! We might scared them if we all go at once.
Very well Father Abbot.
My name is Stephen. We have heard about Abbot Robert and thus we come to join the monks of Molesme. They told us to come here.
Yes, indeed! Come this way. I am the prior, Alberic.
Brother Stephen, right?
Stepehn Harding, right.
Harding? That doesn't sound French.
I am not. I come from England.
Ah! You don't have any accent at all!
Yes, well… I studied in the cathedrals schools of Reims and Paris.
And what made you change Plato and Aristotle for the robe and the hoe?
Well, let's say that, rationally thinking, this was the best option.
What is so funny about it?
Only an Englishman would consider the vocation in logical terms!
Perhaps.
Isn't it wonderful? Englishmen and Frenchmen working side by side.
It looks like God has wanted to perform a little miracle with us.
Are you certain there are only two in the entourage?
Yes, Your Lordship.
I would like to know how to dress up.
If those monks of Molesme are truly as people say they are, they will think I'm a peacock with my usual clothing.
And, on the contrary, if they are not as people say, I will let them down if I don't show with my brightest gowns.
After all, I do not know why I have to make this visitation. I am the bishop of Champagne, and Molesme is in Burgundy.
His founder, Robert, comes from Troyes, my lord. So it is convenient that is you, sir, who makes the visitation.
Besides, the trip is not long. We'll be there not long after noon and back home at nightfall.
I believe this apparel will be both modest and dignified at the same time.
Judging the Bishop's expression this monks will not last long.
Who knows?
It would be something extremely unusual to find monks that truly lived the solitude and manual labor, don't you think?
Unusual, you say? It would be a blessing.
If monasteries were really places of work and prayer, we the bishops would have far less preoccupations and the Holy Mother Church less scandals.
But my reports go beyond. People say they dying of starvation, silence and work,
I've heard that they are not summited to the Abbey of Cluny, and that they follow the Rule of Saint Benedict's according to their own interpretation.
If reports are true, Robert will go back to Troyes, and Molesme will be the forest it once was.
Go tell father Robert that Bishop of Troyes and his vicar are here on visitation.
What is it announcing?
None prayers, your Lordship.
Good. We'll attend it.
Will you preside it?
No, no. We'll stay in the rear. Do everything as usual.
Eminence, this is our Father Abbot, Robert.
You are the most pleasant surprise of the year. In my community's behalf, we welcome you.
Thank you.
We were about to carry out our collation. Would you care to join in our humble meal?
We would be pleased.
Warn the cook. Come with me.
The Bishop and his vicar are coming to the collation. Will you manage?
You already know the status of our pantry.
Well, put some water on the soup and… and… serve wine only to our guests. The community will be happy with water.
Well, as you say.
It is not great meal for a bishop, but what can we do…
And so humble! Find out if this is normal or if it's an exhibition.
The monks don't seem shock at all. It looks like it is usual.
I would like to have a word with you. Maybe while we talk, some of your men could show the fields to my vicar.
Yes. My prior Alberic will handle it. If you care to follow me, we will have more privacy in my cell.
I hope that Abbot Robert will know how to explain him the spirit of our way of live.
Don't you worry. His Lordship is an expert on getting information
and I imagine that in this occasion he will use his ability to draw out everything he wants to know.
Let's just say that Bishop Hugo extracted a confession of my whole life, from my youth till the beginning of the foundation of Molesme.
He told me we should be part of an order if we didn't want people to distrust us.
We prefer to live apart from the world and to make our own choices.
But you also want vocations, am I right?
I am the legate of the Pope in France and the Holy Father does not want independent abbeys. This set the grounds to new possible rebellions.
I do not have any doubts about your good intentions, but we cannot make exceptions.
You do not have to submit entirely. If your community joins Cluny, I myself will make sure that you do not see yourself forced to abandon your observance of the Rule.
Thank you your eminence, but we prefer to keep having our independence.
Well then. I suppose I cannot force you, but take in account that I will not be able to help you either.
You do not seem very happy with Molesme.
The truth being said, I am starving.
And I am admired.
What? No suppression then?
Suppression? God wish there was more dissemination.
These men are neither fool nor phony.
I hope there could be more Roberts out there in the world. Christendom would be much better.
Come on! Let's speed up. We shall get back home before dark.
Your Eminence, the city guards have detained some men dress as monks going door to door asking for charity.
What? Bring them to me right away! Evangelical poverty is one thing, but begging is very different.
What is that I have been told? Are you begging around?
But… Brother Stephen!
Sit down. Sit down and tell me what happened to you.
Well. Not much to tell really.
The harvest has been so poor this year and the community has grown so much, that the pantry is empty.
Well, Abbot Robert sent us to reach for food but did not gave us money for it.
In fact the only thing he gave us was the passage of the prophecy of Isaiah which says
"And you who have no money come, hurry, buy and eat".
But I am afraid that Isaiah's prophecy has not become true.
What is that you need?
But, what has happened for you to come to this situation?
When we did our first visitation you were living severely, but this is just indigence.
We have had a very bad harvest.
You cannot continue this way. You might day of starvation.
The duty of every Abbot is to take care of the community that has been entrusted to him.
I cannot let you die of hunger, and even less in a community as loved as yours.
You have to turn into a subsidiary of Cluny. Only then may I be able to help you.
If not, we dissolve the community and each one may go back to his original monastery.
Don't say foolish things.
Don't worry for it. The subjection will be only in the name. I promise you.
If not, your Reform will die, and you will die with it.
Fine, we see.
The Bishop Hugo sought after all of our needs.
He convinced every noble of the region to give money to the Abbey.
From everywhere, people would come and ask that our men would found new subsidiary monasteries in their lands.
Many priories were founded throughout Burgundy.
Everything looked to be going fine with Molesme.
That day we were served with a truly moldy bread.
There was no one who could eat it. In fact, I will talk to the brother cook so....
Brothers, shouldn't you be working in the fields?
Hmmm...Yes. We were just heading to the scriptorium to copy a manuscript.
Do you have permission from prior Alberic?
Well...no.
Then to work the fields!
Yes Father Abbot.
Welcome Father Abbot! Do you need anything?
No, no, thank you so much. I just left the horse in the stables, it's such a good thing you decided to build them.
Oh yes, he had to pull them down to make bigger ones.
Good, that way more animals will fit in.
Yes, yes. And how was the visit to the count of Champagne?
It was fine. The priory progresses with strength and the count is interested that we build a new priory.
Oh! That is good news indeed! Quite fine!
Please, give this to me, you must be so tired from the trip.
Thank you. I am quite happy that other monasteries are joining us in our observance of the Rule.
Well yes, Robert, I...there is something I have to tell you.
I think you should be here longer, in the monastery.
With everything back and forth, in this community we miss having you, and the younger ones don't even know you.
I...I cannot be in place of the abbot all the time.
Oh...I wasn't expecting this.
Well yes. Don't worry. We'll talk about this later.
There is something that I've been meaning to tell you.
Since you left, the community has been too relaxed, especially the younger ones, those who didn't live the austerity from the later days.
They want more scriptorium and less manual work. You know, more Cluny and less Molesme.
The worst is Brother Romanus. He's as smart as the devil, and the rest follow him around as clowns.
They don't listen to me, but because I'm not the abbot. They would listen to you.
I will talk to the community. The lack of obedience cannot be tolerated.
Brothers, I have heard that some of you do not go to the fields in work hours and that you avoid manual labor at every expense.
I have also heard that many of you complain about the quality of the food and clothing you receive.
You should know that complaints and disobedience are the path for destroying a monastic community.
We have come here to serve God and to become saints through work.
Therefore, we will eat the same food, wear the same clothes, and do the same work.
I am worried that the community will not understand the spirit that we want to live at Molesme.
The problem is that most brothers that where with us at the beginning have left to found hew priories.
I hope that my presence here achieves the restauration of discipline.
I'm sure it will.
Saint Benedict insists so much in this. Community life is very important for the life of a Benedictine monk, as it is well said here...
Reverend Father. What do you think about what Saint Benedict says in this passage of the Rule?
It is in chapter 48. Precisely the one dedicated to manual labor. It says:
"if the conditions of the place or poverty forces them to harvest the crop for themselves, do not afflicted."
From this, is it not understood that the work in the fields is not something mandatory but something which is to be done in case of poverty or need?
Brother Romanus. Why do you not read the next phrase?
It says: "Then you will be true monks while you live from the work of your hands like your fathers from latter days and the apostles."
Maybe you should also read the phrase which follows that one: "All of this must be done with moderation."
"All of this must be done with moderation in benefit of the weak", and I do not see that we are a community of weak people.
The monks of this monastery raised these buildings with the strength of their arms.
But that is something of the past, why should it....?
Brother Romanus! There is nothing more to be said. If you want to tell me something you shall come to my chambers.
Well, I think we have discussed this for the last time. We are not going to do it again.
It was made clear we have to work in the fields. That's it!
But I don't want to work in the fields…
Brothers, it is time for manual labor. I think that the discussion has been sealed sufficiently in the chapter hall.
We want to be able to debate the topic of manual labor with all of the community gathered together.
The Rule says that we have to take in consideration the opinion of everyone when concerning important decisions.
Yes. And according to the regulations of Cluny, the monk must be dedicated to the tasks of study, scripture, and not manual labor.
Well, if you know the regulations then you also know that it also say the monks owe strict obedience to their abbot,
and so for holy obedience you will all go to work the fields.
You have to make your authority be valued as an abbot. Expel Brother Romanus!
No Alberic. God seeks for monks who serve Him freely, not forced by their abbot.
Besides, if we manage to convince them we will have gained many more souls for our cause.
But at least make Brother Romanus be silent! He is breaking the vow of obedience!
The worst thing is that he's right. According to the regulations of Cluny, they are not bounded to working the land,
and my attitude might be understood as an abuse of authority.
But this...this is not Cluny! This is Molesme!
Officially, we are Cluny.
I will call a reunion in which the entire community can freely express their opinion on manual labour.
Father Abbot, please let me tell you something.
What drove me to join this monastery was the hight ideal that was lived at this place.
Explain them what is the Rule for you. Only that way will you be able to convince them and win their hearts.
You are right brother Stephen. I had almost forgot why we were here.
This Sunday at Nones, we will have a reunion in the chapter hall to talk about manual labour.
Reverend Father, the Bishop of Troyes is here. He wishes to talk to you.
Robert, all of the nobles of the region have come to me with great alarm telling me that there is a rebellion in your monastery.
They are all very distressed. What exactly is happening?
There are certain differences in the interpretation of the original Rule.
Well then, you must solve this situation as soon as possible, or you will lose the trust of the nobles.
But putting a solution to this would imply that a part of the community would be damaged by this.
There are times when we must make sacrifices for the big projects to be able to go forward.
From you and your abbey depend the rest of the priories that you have founded.
If you do not solve this conflict, your Reform will have been for nothing.
You must act inmediately.
The ones of us who founded this monastery with great effort, did it moved by the wish to see it go back to the benedictine observance.
The observance whose foundation is built on manula labour, which brings us closer to God and sanctifies us.
Some of you, who have rebeled yourselves against manual labour alleging to the rules of Cluny,
tell me, why do you wish you eliminate it?
We don't want manual labour eliminated.
We only want for the scriptorioum to be recognized as good manual labour as working the land and the crops.
But that is not what the Rule says!
That we cannot know, since the Rule talks about manual labour with stipulating what it is.
And Caseodorous, which you all know was contemporary of Saint Benedict,
says that of all of the tasks that can be realised within manual labour, non of them plesases him more than that of the copyists.
And how are we to feed if we do not work the fields?
We can lease them to the peasants!
Let them work them and give us fees to support us!
If we want we can get many lands. All of the nobles of the region are prepared to help us.
All of that will just guide us back to ease and mediocrity!
That is not the spirit of Molesmes!
Always talking about the spirit of Molesmes! But that is in the past!
Are we really to be suicidal and day of starvation in order to satisfy God?
Nobody is dying of starvation here! We only want to keep manual labour just as Our Father Saint Benedict asked us to!
We want scriptorioum!
Silence!
The actual situation does not satisfy you. Tell me. What do you propose?
For each monk to choose if he prefers to do the manual labor in the fields or in the scriptorioum.
But those are softeners. That is a deviation of the Rule.
Father Abbot. Saint Benedict was not against softeners.
He himself says that his Rule was much lighter that the rest of the monastic rules of his time.
He wanted to created a school of love of God, in which nothing terrible is imposed, nothing sharp.
Saint Benedict was a very human saint.
And yet we are not even capable to follow his Rule.
We only want to modernize his teachings. He would have wanted it.
Let us make manual labour in the scriptorioum!
Fine. Who else wants this?
Let this be as you say.
Robert! How have you let this happen?
I am the abbot. I do not wish to divide the community.
It is already divided.
Robert. I want to ask your forgiveness for what I said before.
I didn't realise how hard it must be to be abbot. Please, forgive me.
I had already forgiven you.
We still have the chance to change the situation. Romanus and his supporters have won because they are many,
but if you call the monks that have left, we will be more, and we can retake the observance of manual labour.
No Alberic. The monks of Molesme have taken their decision, and I have taken mine.
What...how....how can you leave?
These monks don't really want to fully live by the Rule.
I can force them to do manual labour, but I cannot force their hearts to love the strict observance.
Saint Benedict says that the abbot must watch for their sons to get to spiritual maturity.
Well then, for these it is better to be a time by themselves and mature.
But if you go this monastery will sink.
If it is the work of God, He will keep it floating. And if it is not, it will sink like any other human doing.
At the beggining, I thought that this Reform was the will of God, but now I'm not that sure.
I must retire, since I am not the one who must keep this ship floating.
But...you can still silence those who are against us! They have broken their vowes! They have to obbey you! You are the abbot!
No, you are the Abbot now, do as your conscience and the Rule dictates you.
And where will you go?
I will go to the woods. I hope my fasting and prayers will be of more use than my command.
But… We still can move to any of the priories you have founded. Let this community do what they want, and we will see how they can manage without you.
You don't understand anything Alberic. I did like Cluny. I have made the same mistakes I have denounced.
I created a lazy and mediocre community. I have turned a feudal lord with lands and vassals.
This wasn't Saint Benedict's will.
But this is your Reform! What will we do without you?
This is not my Reform. It's God's Reform. And to him I return it.
"I, Robert, Abbot of Molesme, appoint Alberic as my successor to this monastery.
From this day, you will all pay respect and obedience to him.
May God's blessing be with you, and may our Virgin Mother of God protect you."
Robert has left because he wanted to prove that we are true knights of God.
Let's show him that we are by fully living the Rule!
From this day we will all work in the fields! All of us!
Do you know what the regulations of Cluny say it must be done when the abbots are despots and tyrants?
That they must be imprisoned!
Lord, now I solely speak to you.
Now, that no one wants to understand, you contradicted everything, you left me in no-man's land.
you don't want me to pursue my Reform but only you will.
But have given me your peace.
Now, I begin to understand.
I cannot force anyone to come up to the heaven I live in your light.
I cannot explain the agony that is your joy and the lost that is having you.
This is why I desire loneliness, to move away from the world so that I can reach you.
Let's put Alberic in a cell until we decide what to do with him.
Starting from today, all mores of Cluny are in force, as they are explained in their regulation.
Frater!
Maurus! What are you doing here?
Dom Maurus! I am Abbot of Saint Peter's now.
Then, Dom Bernard passed away, didn't he?
Yes… It happened some months ago.
I have been so occupied lately that I haven't heard any news from the world.
Don't worry! That's a good thing for a monk.
How did you know I was here?
The monks of Molesme told me. I came as soon as I learned that you had an insurrection in your monastery.
Oh Maurus! You were right… Nobody wants this Reform, not even God.
I have been obstinate and prideful.
It is only needed a few monks disagreeing with you to make you change your mind?
Robert, I know for sure that before Resurrection, death and Cross have to be passed.
I knew a monk once that wanted to be another Saint Benedict. He wanted to unsheathe his sword for God and never sheathe it again.
Do you think that monk will still be out there, at the breach of the wall?
Do you think he will keep wielding his sword?
Brother Romanus would like Robert to return to the monastery to become our abbot again.
You didn't accept neither his Reform nor his command. You want him back now?
We realized we made a mistake.
No! You realized that without Robert, all the noble men don't support you economically and the villagers had left to other lands.
You only want Robert back because of his influence.
We have to go to see the Pope. He won't let such a prosper abbey ruin. We must get Robert back.
But, without the bishop's favor, the Pope won't listen to us.
This is not our bishop. Molesme belongs to the episcopacy of Burgundy.
Let's visit the proper bishop. He will surely support us.
Where is Alberic?
I am sorry. I have been a fool. I behaved like an idiot following my pride.
I put our abbey under Cluny only because I wanted my Reform to prosper.
Besides, I did it without asking for your advice, and without taking into account the community's opinion. Saint Benedict would have never done that.
A monastery is like a family. I have disappointed you.
This is the penitence God has sent me. I am truly sorry that you have to suffer for my failure.
This is not the end. We cannot surrender now. Where is Robert, the rebel?
We learnt what didn't work. Let's emend it. Let's found a new abbey without Cluny regulations, only under the Rule.
I cannot do it. I have a papal Order that obligates me to stay in this monastery. But you can go and found this abbey without me.
We won't go anywhere without you.
Let's visit Bishop Hugo. He is the legate of the Pope in France. He has the power to revoke the papal Order.
Brothers in Christ, dear friends, whatever we should do, let's do it together.
"Hugo, archbishop of Lyon and legate of the Holy see,
to Robert, abbot of Molesme, and to all the brothers that want to join him in serving God under the Rule of Saint Benedict.
May all know that you and some of your monks visited us in Troyes,
and declared your desire to live closely and more perfectly under the Rule of Saint Benedict.
Owing to the fact that in Molesme, that desire can't be fulfilled, us, looking after both parts' welfare,
judge that it is convenient that you should move to a new location the Divine Providence should allocate for you.
And for the purpose of this God's work prosperity, I send you this approval, signing it perpetually under the apostolic authority that was given to us, under this printed seal."
I would like to ask for your forgiveness, due to all my many mistakes and faults as abbot of this monastery.
Should you pray for the new mission we are about to undertake.
All of you that wish to be more bountiful before God, please, step forward.
Robert, Alberic and Stephen founded a monastery in a place called Cîteaux. From Cîteaux, the Cistercian Reform started.
The new Order soon expanded through Europe. In less than a century, more than 200 monasteries were founded.
Robert was canonized in 1220 by Pope Honorius III. His feast is celebrated on the 17th of April, day of his decease.
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