Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Monastery life - The Refectory

Br. Gerardo Maria, F.SS.R. is currently the monastery refectorian, following in the footsteps of his patron, St. Gerard Majella.


In our day it is probably surprising that there could be such an office as the Refectorian concerned with setting the tables,

laying down spoons and bowls.

The Christian table is the extension of the altar;
wood of the Cross... wood of the table...
Holy Communion rail...
Saying Grace before and after meals
Evening Grace
O.(Officiant) Benedicite.
Bless us O Lord.
R. Benedicite.
Bless us O Lord.
O. Edent pauperes
The poor shall eat
R. et saturabuntur, et laudabunt Dominum qui requirunt eum: Vivent corda eorum in saeculum saeculi.
and be filled and they shall praise the Lord who seek Him. Their hearts shall live for ever and ever.
V. Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritui Sancto
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.
R. Sicut erat in principio et nunc et semper et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
V. Kyrie eleison.
Lord have mercy.
R. Christe eleison.
Christ have mercy.
Kyrie eleison.
Lord have mercy.
V. Pater noster (silently as far as) et ne nos inducat in tentationem.
Our Father (silently as far as) and lead us not into temptation.
R. Sed libera nos a malo. Amen.
But deliver us from evil. Amen.
V. Oremus.
Let us Pray.
Benedic, + Domine,
Bless + us O Lord
nos et haec tua dona,
and these Thy gifts
quae de tua largitate sumus sumpturi.
Which of Thy bounty we are about to receive.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum.
Through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
Amen.
Lector. Jube, domne, benedicere.
Pray, Lord, a blessing.
O. Ad cenam vitae aeternae perducat nos Rex aeternae gloriae. Amen.
May the King of Glory make us partakers of the heavenly table. Amen

As the great fast of Lent approaches
it may be that you are wondering what to do
for yourself or for the family?
One positive contribution to family life,
if necessary for yourself or for your family,
would be to have every meal actually at a table:
a table that has been properly set,
with Grace said standing at the table,
before sitting down to break the holy fast.
In our days the table has often been set aside;
food is 'picked at';
meals eaten in front of a television.
Let us bless God and keep the Christian table.

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