Christian Mission and Poverty

Chapter 2: A Monastic Response

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6. Of the Aged and Children Although human nature causes people to feel compassion for these life-periods, namely, old age and childhood, still, let the decree of the Rule make provision also for them. Let their natural weakness be always taken into account and let the strictness of the Rule not be kept with them in respect to food, but let there be a tender regard in their behalf and let them eat before regular hours. 7. Of the Quantity of Food Making allowance for the infirmities of different persons, we believe that for the daily meal, both at the sixth and the ninth hour, two kinds of cooked food are sufficient at all meals; so that he who might not be able to eat of one, may make his meal of the other. Let two kinds of cooked food, therefore, be sufficient for all the brothers. And if there are fruit or fresh vegetables, a third may be added. Let a pound of bread be sufficient for the day, whether there is only one meal or both dinner and supper. If they are to eat supper, let a third of a pound be reserved by the Cellarer and given at supper. If, however, the work has been especially hard, it is left to the discretion and power of the Abbot to add something, if he thinks it necessary, above all things protecting against every excess, that a monk not be overtaken by indigestion. For nothing is so contrary to Christians as excess, as our Lord says: “See that your hearts are not overcharged with excessive consumption” (Luke 21:34). Let the same quantity of food, however, not be served out to young children but [give them] less than the older ones, observing measure in all things.