A Day in the Life of a 13th Century Trinitarian.......

A day in the life of a 13th century Trinitarian (Part 3)….

It is now about noon and time for the first and principal meal of the day.  The Brothers eat in silence, while one of them reads from Sacred Scripture or from the wording of the Church Fathers.  Except for the days when the Rule permits the eating of meat, the main meal consists of bread, legumes, relishes, garden vegetables, eggs, milk, cheeses and seasonal fruits.  The wine has been so tempered with water that there is no danger of the Brothers becoming inebriated.  At the end of the meal, the Brothers, reciting the Miserere psalm, proceed to the church and say a short prayer for the dead.  

Next, the Brothers go to the dormitory for a couple of hours of rest.  This is a time of great silence,  which ends when the bell signals the time to go to chapel for the recitation of the mid-afternoon prayer of None.   It is now about three o'clock in the afternoon.  The Brothers are allowed an hour for talking and common recreation, which is followed by a third period of work at their assigned tasks.  At around six in the evening, the bell announces the time for Vespers.  Frequently, this is followed by the community assembling  in the chapter hall to listen to a spiritual talk.  

On Saturdays, in a ritual similar to the one performed on Holy Thursday, the minister, assisted by a deacon and/or subdeacon, washes the feet of the Brothers.  

Contributed by Sr. Coraly