twelve months' probation he perseveres, he may promise before the whole community stabilitate sua et conversatione morum suorum et oboedientia – "stability, conversion of manners, and obedience". With this vow he binds himself for life to the monastery of his profession. Chapter 59 describes the ceremony of indenturing young boys into the monastery and arranges certain financial arrangements for this. Chapter 60 regulates the position of priests who join the community. They are to set an example of humility, and can only exercise their priestly functions by permission of the abbot. Chapter 61 provides for the reception of foreign monks as guests, and for their admission to the community. Chapter 62 deals with the ordination of priests from within the monastic community. Chapter 63 lays down that precedence in the community shall be determined by the date of admission, merit of life, or the appointment of the abbot. Chapter 64 orders that the abbot be elected by his monks, and that he be chosen for his charity, zeal, and discretion. Chapter 65 allows the appointment of a prior or deputy superior, but warns that he is to be entirely subject to the abbot and may be admonished, deposed, or expelled for misconduct. Chapter 66 appoints a porter, and recommends that each monastery be self-contained and avoid intercourse with the outer world. Chapter 67 instructs monks how to behave on a journey. Chapter 68 orders that all cheerfully try to do whatever is commanded, however apparently impossible it may seem. Chapter 69 forbids the monks from defending one another. Chapter 70 prohibits them from beating (Latin ) or excommunicating one another. Chapter 71 encourages the brothers to be obedient not only to the abbot and his officials, but also to one another. Chapter 72 briefly exhorts the monks to zeal and fraternal charity. Chapter 73 is an epilogue; it declares that the Rule is not offered as an ideal of perfection, but merely as a means towards godliness, intended chiefly for beginners in the spiritual life. Outline of the Benedictine life Saint Benedict's model for the monastic life was the family, with the abbot as father and all the monks as brothers. Priesthood was not initially an important part of Benedictine monasticism – monks used the services of their local priest. Because of this, almost all the Rule is applicable to communities of women under the authority of an abbess. This