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Rule

St Benedict of Nursia, tr. Hunter Blair, 1907

Chapter 35

LET the brethren wait on one another in turn, so that none be excused from the work of the kitchen, except he be prevented by sickness or by some more necessary employment: for thus is gained a greater reward and an increase of charity. But let assistance be given to the weak, that they may not do their work with sadness: and let all have help according to the number of the community and the situation of the place. If the community be large, let the Cellarer be excused from work in the kitchen, and also those, as already mentioned, who are occupied in more urgent business. Let the rest serve each other in turn with all charity. Let him who endeth his week in the kitchen, make all things clean on Saturday, and wash the towels wherewith the brethren dry their hands and feet. Let both him who goeth out and him who is coming in wash the feet of all. Let him hand over to the Cellarer the vessels of his office, clean and whole; and let the Cellarer deliver the same to him who entereth, that he may know what he giveth and what he receiveth.

Let the weekly servers take each a cup of drink and a piece of bread over and above the appointed portion, one hour before the time for refection, that so they may serve their brethren, when the hour cometh, without murmuring or great labour. On solemn days, however, let them forbear until after Mass.¹ On Sunday, as soon as Lauds are ended, let both the incoming and the outgoing servers fall on their knees before all, in the Oratory, and ask their prayers. Let him who endeth his week, say this verse: “Blessed art Thou, Lord God, Who hast helped me and comforted me;” which being thrice repeated, he shall receive the blessing.² Let him that beginneth his week follow, and say: “O God, come to my assistance: O Lord, make haste to help me.” Let this likewise be thrice repeated by all; and having received the blessing, let him enter on his office.

Notes

Note O (p. 104).—Usque ad missas sustineant. That is, until after Holy Communion, which the servers would approach, with the rest of the Community, on all Sundays and holidays, at the one mass which was then celebrated in the Monastery. We see by this passage that St. Benedict inculcated the duty of communicating on all festivals of the Church, in emulation of the Egyptian and Syrian monks, who, as Cassian tells us (III. 2), observed the same pious practice. We learn from the early Rules that the monks were accustomed to communicate standing; and this was continued by the Congregation of Cluny, among others, down to later times.
Accipiat benedictionem. See Note E.