Hermit founded monastic life

John's Gospel tells how, at the Last Supper, Jesus made a long series of farewell remarks to his disciples. Among the most memorable things he told them was: "I give you a new commandment: Love one another; as I have loved you, so you are to love one another. If there is this love among you, then all will know that you are my disciples" (Jn 13:34-35).

That command sets a high standard - to love both other Christians and all peoples, friends or foes - for all Christians to follow. How well Christians have done that over the years - how well we do that today - affects how others view Christianity and can attract people to - or scare them away from - Christianity.

Consider the life of St. Pachomius, who was born into a heathen family in the Upper Thebaïd, Egypt, in about 292.

Despite his objections, at age 20, he was drafted into the Roman Army. There a life-changing occurrence took place. He was so impressed by how kindly the Christians of Latopolis treated the recruits that he decided to become a Christian after his discharge.

He first went back to Latopolis and became a catechumen. After his baptism, he wanted to follow God in the best way he could. He decided he should do that by becoming a disciple of the hermit Palaemon. The two lived in the desert on a diet of bread and salt that did not allow either wine or oil. They would spend their time in physical labor and both oral and interior prayer.

In about 320, Pachomius built a cell on the Nile River at Tabennisi, after having a vision in which he was instructed to build a monastery.

Soon, he had more than 100 followers - starting with his eldest brother - whom he organized into a community. He started six more monasteries in the Thebaïd and a convent across the Nile from Tabennisi for his sister.

Because of his opposition to Arianism - a heresy that said Jesus was not of the same substance as the Father - Pachomius was denounced by followers of Arius at a council of bishops at Latropolis. Fortunately, Pachomius was completely cleared of charges that he was a heretic.

Neither Pachomius, nor any of his monks, were ever ordained to the priesthood, though he used to serve as a lector at a church he built for poor shepherds.

Eventually, Pachomius founded and governed nine monasteries and two convents, which were home to 3,000 monks and nuns.

He is considered the founder of cenobitic monasticism - that is, a religious group of people who live in a monastic community.

When St. Benedict wrote his rule, he drew heavily from the rule of St. Pachomius. We celebrate the feast of St. Pachomius on May 9. He died on May 15, 348, in an epidemic.