Abbot Isaac Rule

Abbot Isaac was a 5th century monk who knew how to find God. This is what he taught.

1) Joy and Union

This is where we are headed.

Action

Pray this daily (adapted from Abbot Isaac):

Jesus, my King, You prayed to our Father for me, my family, and the entire world;

“That the love that You [,Father,] loved Me may be in them and they in Us;”

And, “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in us”

Let Your perfect love, with which “[You] first loved us” pass into the feelings of our hearts.

Let your prayer be fulfilled in us, as Your prayers cannot possibly be ineffectual.

2) Constant Prayer

A single verse to carry you there.

Action

Pray ceaselessly throughout the day — “O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me.” (Psalm 70:1)

From Abbot Isaac

“O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me… For it embraces all the feelings which can be implanted in human nature, and can be fitly and satisfactorily adapted to every condition, and all assaults. Since it contains an invocation of God against every danger, it contains humble and pious confession, it contains the watchfulness of anxiety and continual fear, it contains the thought of one’s own weakness, confidence in the answer, and the assurance of a present and ever ready help… It contains the glow of love and charity, it contains a view of the plots, and a dread of the enemies… Let the thought of this verse be conned over in your breast without ceasing. Whatever work you are doing, or office you are holding, or journey you are going, do not cease to chant this. When you are going to bed, or eating, and in the last necessities of nature, think on this… Let sleep come upon you still considering this verse, till having been moulded by the constant use of it, you grow accustomed to repeat it even in your sleep. When you wake let it be the first thing to come into your mind, let it anticipate all your waking thoughts, let it when you rise from your bed send you down on your knees, and thence send you forth to all your work and business, and let it follow you about all day long.” — John Cassian, Conferences, X.10

3) Story and Mystery

The story of God, unfolding daily.

Action

Follow the liturgical calendar and daily lectionary readings.

From Abbot Isaac

“this man will feed on the mountains of the prophets and Apostles, i.e., on their highest and loftiest mysteries.” — John Cassian, Conferences, X.11

4) The Passion

The center of the story, and our protection.

Action

Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily.

From Abbot Isaac

“being sheltered by the recollection of the Lord’s passion.” — John Cassian, Conferences, X.11

5) Immersion in Psalms

The ancient prayer of the Church, becoming your own.

Action

Pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily.

From Abbot Isaac

“he will take in to himself all the thoughts of the Psalms and will begin to sing them in such a way that he will utter them with the deepest emotion of heart not as if they were the compositions of the Psalmist, but rather as if they were his own utterances and his very own prayer.” — John Cassian, Conferences, X.11

6) Silence

Where words run out and God takes over.

Action

Sit in silence for twenty minutes daily.

Sit before the Blessed Sacrament weekly.

From Abbot Isaac

“the mind being thus affected without the aid of the senses or any visible material pours it forth to God with groanings and sighs that cannot be uttered.” — John Cassian, Conferences, X.11