E07947: The rule for nuns produced by Aurelianus, bishop of Arles (ob. 551) refers to the basilica and monastery of *Mary (mother of Christ, S00033) in Arles. Written in Latin at Arles, southern Gaul, 546/551.

Aurelianus of Arles, Regula ad virgines

Prol. Sanctis et in Christo venerandis sororibus in monasterio beatae Mariae quod, Deo iubente, intra muros Arelatensis urbis fecimus, constitutis, Aurelianus episcopus. [...]

'Prologue. Bishop Aurelianus to the sisters, holy and venerable in Christ, placed in the monastery of the blessed Mary, which, at God's command, we have established within the walls of the city of Arles [...]'


14. Nec viri nec mulieres saeculares in monasterium ingrediantur, praeter in basilicam Beatae Mariae et in salutatorium.

'14. Neither men nor secular women may enter the monastery, except the basilica of the blessed Mary and the salutatorium.'


38. Cursum diurnum vel nocturnum, id est, matutinos, vigilias, nocturnos, vesperam, et duodecimam in basilica Dominae Mariae congregatio dicat. Quod si hiems aspera fuerit matutinos tantum, vesperam et duodecimam in praedicta basilica dicite: secundam vero, tertiam, sextam et nonam in interiori oratorio [...]

'38. Let the congregation say the diurnal and nocturnal office, that is: matins, vigils, nocturns, vespers and the twelfth hour in the basilica of the Lady Mary. But if there is a harsh winter, say only matins, vespers and the twelfth hour in the aforementioned basilica, but the second, third, sixth and ninth hours in the interior oratory [...]'


Text: PL 68. Translation: David Lambert.