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, twelfth century] (71)
The monks did not wear their cowls in the refectory and ate in
silence, communicating essential information by making signs
with their fingers and hands. [Read
more about sign language]
Those who did not observe silence
were punished. The only voice to be heard was that of the reader,
who stood in a pulpit in the west wall that he accessed via
stairs. He edified the monks with readings from the Bible or another
holy book, for it was intended that the monks should feed their
minds as well as their bodies during meals. It was important
that the monks behaved appropriately in the refectory and had
good table manners. For example, drinking cups were to be held
with both hands and the monks were to reach out for the salt
with the tip of their knives; the used blade, like other dirty
utensils, was to be wiped on a piece of bread rather than the
napkin.
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, but if a distinguished visitor
was present this might be postponed, out of respect.(72) It
is important to note that the monastic refectory was reserved for
the monks
of Fountains 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 separately in
the novices’ house where, under the guidance of the novice-master,
they were schooled in Cistercian customs and prepared for their
lives as full members of the community.