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Mealtimes (continued)
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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.(4)
[Arnulph of Bohéries, twelfth century]
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. 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, the monks were to reach out for the salt with the tip of
their
knives, and 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 although if a distinguished visitor
was present this might be postponed, out of respect.(5) It
is important to note that the monastic refectory was reserved for
the monks
of Rievaulx 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. <back> <next> |