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The procedure at mealtimes

At table not only should the monks take food, but their ears should draw their fill of the Word of God. No one should concentrate entirely on eating, but such attention should be given to the Word of God that only the mouth takes food while the ears take the Word. If one receives less nutritious food than others, then one’s joy should be greater. Those who bear privation with zeal are truly blessed.
[Arnulph of Bohéries, Speculum Monachorum (A Mirror for Monks)
Patrologia Latina 184, col. 1175.]

Mealtimes were not an excuse for frivolity or light-relief and the monks were expected to eat quickly. Meals lasted for about half an hour and concluded with a thanksgiving; the whole community proceeded to the church for grace although if a distinguished visitor was present this might be postponed, out of respect.(3) It is important to note that the monastic refectory was reserved for the monks and visiting Cistercians. The lay-brothers dined in their own refectory in the western range and outsiders ate in the guesthouse with the abbot. Novices may have dined in their own quarters in the undercroft of the monks’ dormitory where, under the tutelage of the novice-master, they were schooled in Cistercian customs.

Artist's impression of a monks' refectory © Cistercians in Yorkshire