CHAPTER XXXV Of the Weekly Servers in the Kitchen · 30 of 65
The Rule of Saint Benedict
English, translated by Cardinal Francis Aidan Gasquet, translator — Cardinal Francis Aidan Gasquet, translator, 1925
Tue brethren are so to serve each other that no one be excused from the work of the kitchen unless on the score of health, or because he is occupied in some matter of great utility, for thence great reward
is obtained and charity is exercised. Let the weaker
THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT 65
brethren, however, have help that they may not do their work in sadness ; and let all generally be helped according to the circumstances of the community or the position of the place (i.¢. kitchen). If the community be large the cellarer may be eased from the service of the kitchen, and any others who (as we have said) are engaged in matters of greater utility. Let the rest serve one another in charity. On Saturday, he who ends his weekly service must clean up everything. He must wash the towels with which the brethren wipe their hands and feet ; and he who finishes his service, and he who enters on it, are to wash the feet of all. He shall give back to the cellarer all the vessels used in his ministry, cleaned and unbroken, and the cellarer shall hand them to the one entering on his office, that he may know what he gives and what he receives.
An hour before the meal these weekly servers may receive a draught ot water and a piece of bread
over and above the appointed allowance, so that they
68 THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT
may serve the brethren at meal time without murmuring or too great fatigue. On solemn days, however, let them wait till after Mass. Immediately after Lauds on Sunday both the incoming and outgoing servers for the week shall cast themselves on their knees in the presence of all and ask their prayers. Let him who finishes his week say this verse, Blessed art Thou, O Lord God, who didst help me and consoled me 519 and when this has been said three times let him receive a blessing. He who enters on his office shall then follow, and say, O God, incline unto mine aid; O Lord, make haste to help me ;\7 and this also shall be repeated thrice by all, and having
received his blessing let him enter on his service.