Liturical Vestments mad at Nashdom for the Bishop of St David's and Llandaff Cathedral.
A Pictorial History of the Benedictines of the Anglican Monastery of Our Lady and St Benedict at Nashdom Abbey Burnham, Bucks.
Monday, 27 September 2010
4 Liturgical Items
Chalice thought to have belonged to Marie Antoinette [ this has now been sold ]
and the Christmas Crib
Processional cross, and original statue of St Benedict
The Refectory - contd
Dom Anslem Hughes reading
Dom John Houghton
The monks cover their heads at the end of the meal when they have finished eating to signify that the meal can end.
In View :Dom David, Bro Makr, Bro Andrew, Bro Edward, Bro Hugh and I believe
Bro Osmund as a postulant
Dom John
Dom John
The Refectory - The Rule
Let the brethren serve one another, and let no one be excused from the kitchen service except by reason of sickness or occupation in some important work. For this service brings increase of reward and of charity. But let helpers be provided for the weak ones, that they may not be distressed by this work; and indeed let everyone have help, as required by the size of the community or the circumstances of the locality. If the community is a large one, the cellarer shall be excused from the kitchen service; and so also those whose occupations are of greater utility, as we said above. Let the rest serve one another in charity.
The one who is ending his week of service shall do the cleaning on Saturday. He shall wash the towels with which the brethren wipe their hands and feet; and this server who is ending his week, aided by the one who is about to begin, shall wash the feet of all the brethren. He shall return the utensils of his office to the cellarer clean and in good condition, and the cellarer in turn shall consign them to the incoming server, in order that he may know what he gives out and what he receives back.
##############################
An hour before the meal let the weekly servers each receive a drink and some bread over and above the appointed allowance, in order that at the meal time they may serve their brethren without murmuring and without excessive fatigue. On solemn days, however, let them wait until after Mass.
Immediately after the Morning Office on Sunday, the incoming and outgoing servers shall prostrate themselves before all the brethren in the oratory and ask their prayers. Let the server who is ending his week say this verse:"Blessed are You, O Lord God, who have helped me and consoled me." When this has been said three times and the outgoing server has received his blessing,then let the incoming server follow and say, "Incline unto my aid, O God; O Lord, make haste to help me."Let this also be repeated three times by all, and having received his blessing let him enter his service.
The one who is ending his week of service shall do the cleaning on Saturday. He shall wash the towels with which the brethren wipe their hands and feet; and this server who is ending his week, aided by the one who is about to begin, shall wash the feet of all the brethren. He shall return the utensils of his office to the cellarer clean and in good condition, and the cellarer in turn shall consign them to the incoming server, in order that he may know what he gives out and what he receives back.
##############################
An hour before the meal let the weekly servers each receive a drink and some bread over and above the appointed allowance, in order that at the meal time they may serve their brethren without murmuring and without excessive fatigue. On solemn days, however, let them wait until after Mass.
Immediately after the Morning Office on Sunday, the incoming and outgoing servers shall prostrate themselves before all the brethren in the oratory and ask their prayers. Let the server who is ending his week say this verse:"Blessed are You, O Lord God, who have helped me and consoled me." When this has been said three times and the outgoing server has received his blessing,then let the incoming server follow and say, "Incline unto my aid, O God; O Lord, make haste to help me."Let this also be repeated three times by all, and having received his blessing let him enter his service.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Chapter 48 of the Rule on the daily manual labour
CHAPTER XLVIII.
Of daily manual labour.
Idleness is an enemy of the soul. Therefore the Brethren ought to be employed at certain times in labouring with their hands, and at other fixed times in holy reading. Wherefore we think that both these occasions may be well ordered thus: From Easter till the first of October, let them, on going forth from Prime, labour at whatever they are required till about the fourth hour. From the fourth, till close upon the sixth hour, let them be employed in reading. On rising from table after the sixth hour, let them rest on their beds with all silence, or if perchance any one shall desire to read, let him read in such a way as not to disturb any one else.
Let None be said seasonable, at about the middle of the eighty hour, and after that let them work at what they have to do till the evening. If the situation of the place, or their poverty require them to labour in reaping their corn, let them not be saddened thereat, for then are they Monks in very deed, when they live by the labour of their hands, as our Fathers and the Apostles did before us. Yet let all things be done with moderation for the sake of the fainthearted
From the first of October till the beginning of Lent, they shall be employed in reading till the second hour complete, when Tierce shall be celebrated, and from that till the ninth hour, let them labour at whatever work is enjoined them. At the first signal of the ninth hour, let them all leave off work, so as to be ready when the second signal is given. After their refection they shall be employed in reading spiritual books, or the psalms.
But in Lent they must read from morning till the third hour complete, then let them work till the end of the tenth hour, at what is enjoined them. In these days of Lent, let each one have a book from the Library, and read it all through in order. The books must be given at the beginning of Lent. Let one or two Seniors be specially appointed to go about the Monastery at the hours in which the Brethren are employed in reading, and see that no one be slothful or give himself up to idleness or foolish talk, and neglect his reading, being thus not only unprofitable to himself, but also a hindrance to others. If such an one be found (which God forbid!) let him be reprehended once or twice, and if he do not amend, let him be so severely corrected, that others may take warning by it. Neither let one Brother associate himself with another at unseasonable times.
On Sunday all shall devote themselves to reading, except such as are deputed for the various offices. But if any one shall be so negligent and slothful as to be either unwilling or unable to meditate or read, let him have some work imposed upon him which he can do, and thus not be idle. To the Brethren who are of weak constitution or in delicate health, such work or art shall be given as shall ekp them from idleness, and yet not oppress them with so much labour as to drive them away. Their weakness must be taken into consideration by the Abbot.
Of daily manual labour.
Idleness is an enemy of the soul. Therefore the Brethren ought to be employed at certain times in labouring with their hands, and at other fixed times in holy reading. Wherefore we think that both these occasions may be well ordered thus: From Easter till the first of October, let them, on going forth from Prime, labour at whatever they are required till about the fourth hour. From the fourth, till close upon the sixth hour, let them be employed in reading. On rising from table after the sixth hour, let them rest on their beds with all silence, or if perchance any one shall desire to read, let him read in such a way as not to disturb any one else.
Let None be said seasonable, at about the middle of the eighty hour, and after that let them work at what they have to do till the evening. If the situation of the place, or their poverty require them to labour in reaping their corn, let them not be saddened thereat, for then are they Monks in very deed, when they live by the labour of their hands, as our Fathers and the Apostles did before us. Yet let all things be done with moderation for the sake of the fainthearted
From the first of October till the beginning of Lent, they shall be employed in reading till the second hour complete, when Tierce shall be celebrated, and from that till the ninth hour, let them labour at whatever work is enjoined them. At the first signal of the ninth hour, let them all leave off work, so as to be ready when the second signal is given. After their refection they shall be employed in reading spiritual books, or the psalms.
But in Lent they must read from morning till the third hour complete, then let them work till the end of the tenth hour, at what is enjoined them. In these days of Lent, let each one have a book from the Library, and read it all through in order. The books must be given at the beginning of Lent. Let one or two Seniors be specially appointed to go about the Monastery at the hours in which the Brethren are employed in reading, and see that no one be slothful or give himself up to idleness or foolish talk, and neglect his reading, being thus not only unprofitable to himself, but also a hindrance to others. If such an one be found (which God forbid!) let him be reprehended once or twice, and if he do not amend, let him be so severely corrected, that others may take warning by it. Neither let one Brother associate himself with another at unseasonable times.
On Sunday all shall devote themselves to reading, except such as are deputed for the various offices. But if any one shall be so negligent and slothful as to be either unwilling or unable to meditate or read, let him have some work imposed upon him which he can do, and thus not be idle. To the Brethren who are of weak constitution or in delicate health, such work or art shall be given as shall ekp them from idleness, and yet not oppress them with so much labour as to drive them away. Their weakness must be taken into consideration by the Abbot.
More about Guests from the RULE
Let there be a separate kitchen for the Abbot and guests,that the brethren may not be disturbed when guests,who are never lacking in a monastery,arrive at irregular hours.Let two brethren capable of filling the office well be appointed for a year to have charge of this kitchen. Let them be given such help as they need, that they may serve without murmuring.And on the other hand,when they have less to occupy them,let them go out to whatever work is assigned them.
And not only in their case but in all the offices of the monasterylet this arrangement be observed,that when help is needed it be supplied,and again when the workers are unoccupied they do whatever they are bidden.
The guest house also shall be assigned to a brother whose soul is possessed by the fear of God.Let there be a sufficient number of beds made up in it; and let the house of God be managed by prudent men and in a prudent manner.
On no account shall anyone who is not so orderedassociate or converse with guests.But if he should meet them or see them,let him greet them humbly, as we have said,ask their blessing and pass on, saying that he is not allowed to converse with a guest.
And not only in their case but in all the offices of the monasterylet this arrangement be observed,that when help is needed it be supplied,and again when the workers are unoccupied they do whatever they are bidden.
The guest house also shall be assigned to a brother whose soul is possessed by the fear of God.Let there be a sufficient number of beds made up in it; and let the house of God be managed by prudent men and in a prudent manner.
On no account shall anyone who is not so orderedassociate or converse with guests.But if he should meet them or see them,let him greet them humbly, as we have said,ask their blessing and pass on, saying that he is not allowed to converse with a guest.
Looking after guests
Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for He is going to say, "I came as a guest, and you received Me" (Matt. 25:35).And to all let due honor be shown,especially to the domestics of the faith and to pilgrims.
As soon as a guest is announced, therefore,let the Superior or the brethren meet him with all charitable service.And first of all let them pray together,and then exchange the kiss of peace.For the kiss of peace should not be offered until after the prayers have been said, on account of the devil's deceptions.
In the salutation of all guests, whether arriving or departing,let all humility be shown.Let the head be bowed or the whole body prostrated on the ground in adoration of Christ, who indeed is received in their persons.
After the guests have been received and taken to prayer, let the Superior or someone appointed by him sit with them.Let the divine law be read before the guest for his edification,and then let all kindness be shown him.The Superior shall break his fast for the sake of a guest,unless it happens to be a principal fast day which may not be violated.The brethren, however, shall observe the customary fasts.Let the Abbot give the guests water for their hands; and let both Abbot and community wash the feet of all guests.After the washing of the feet let them say this verse:"We have received Your mercy, O God,in the midst of Your temple" (Ps.47[48]:10).
In the reception of the poor and of pilgrimsthe greatest care and solicitude should be shown,because it is especially in them that Christ is received;for as far as the rich are concerned,the very fear which they inspirewins respect for them.
As soon as a guest is announced, therefore,let the Superior or the brethren meet him with all charitable service.And first of all let them pray together,and then exchange the kiss of peace.For the kiss of peace should not be offered until after the prayers have been said, on account of the devil's deceptions.
In the salutation of all guests, whether arriving or departing,let all humility be shown.Let the head be bowed or the whole body prostrated on the ground in adoration of Christ, who indeed is received in their persons.
After the guests have been received and taken to prayer, let the Superior or someone appointed by him sit with them.Let the divine law be read before the guest for his edification,and then let all kindness be shown him.The Superior shall break his fast for the sake of a guest,unless it happens to be a principal fast day which may not be violated.The brethren, however, shall observe the customary fasts.Let the Abbot give the guests water for their hands; and let both Abbot and community wash the feet of all guests.After the washing of the feet let them say this verse:"We have received Your mercy, O God,in the midst of Your temple" (Ps.47[48]:10).
In the reception of the poor and of pilgrimsthe greatest care and solicitude should be shown,because it is especially in them that Christ is received;for as far as the rich are concerned,the very fear which they inspirewins respect for them.
