The Rule of St. Benedict (Part 6)

Food and Drink According to the Rule

The Rule of St. Benedict provides a comprehensive regimen for governing the monastery, and naturally does not overlook how much the monks are to eat, and how much they are to drink.  For food, St. Benedict believes that "two cooked dishes will satisfy the daily needs at each meal - at the sixth and ninth hours.  If some brothers cannot eat one, then they may eat the other."  Consistent with his practice in all things, St. Benedict grants discretion to the abbot to increase the ration "if the monks have worked harder than usual."  In addition to the cooked dishes, each monk is to receive a pound of bread per day.

For drink, St. Benedict believes "a hemina (quarter liter) of wine for each monk each day is adequate."  As with food, St. Benedict allows that "depending on local conditions, the strain of labor, or excessive heat more drink may be permitted at the will of the abbot."   St. Benedict adds, "[w]e read that wine is not for monks, but in our times they cannot accept this."