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The porter (and his sub-porter)
The porter manned the abbey gate from Lauds until Compline each day, when he returned to the cloister. He welcomed visitors and announcing their arrival to the abbot, distributed alms to the poor and needy, and ensured that the community was not disturbed by the comings and goings of outsiders. The porter wore an apron-like work garment known as the scapular while working. The porter’s office was an important one, since he was responsible for presenting a positive image of the abbey to the outside world. Several monks who held this post were promoted to the abbacy. As the porter manned the gate all day,
he was not able to attend all the services in the church. So the
porter was excused from attending the daily Offices, but was
expected to pull up his hood and stand at the gate in silence
when the monks were celebrating an Office in the church. |
