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The weekly chapter (19) (13/14) Whereas the monks attended a daily meeting in their chapter-house, the lay-brothers only gathered on a Sunday, although they also assembled on the days following Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, and might come together during the week if, for example, a new recruit was to be received. Whenever the abbot preached a sermon in the chapter-house, the lay-brothers were expected to join the monks, but if there was not enough room for everyone they were to stand outside in the cloister walk and listen through the windows. When the sacrist rang the bell to call the monks to their Sunday chapter the lay-brothers assembled in their own chapter-room, which was probably located in the western range; some communities may have met in the refectory. Everyone entered and stood facing the east while the ‘president’, i.e. whoever was presiding, opened the meeting with the blessing and thereafter gave a sermon; there was no reading from the Rule of St Benedict which was always read at the start of the monks’ chapter meeting. If any newcomers were to be received they were introduced at this point. The recruit prostrated himself before the president who highlighted the difficulties that lay ahead and prayed for his penance; the lay-brothers said Amen, the brother novice then took his place amongst them and they prostrated themselves. The chapter of faults followed and dealt with any disciplinary matters including disobedience at the workplace, breaches of silence or even inappropriate physical conduct, such as washing the hair of another lay-brother. This was only permitted if a lay-brother was sick and unable to wash his hair himself, and those who disregarded the rule were flogged at the next chapter meeting.(20) The Friday discipline (21) |