On the Weekly Servers in the Kitchen
Mar. 13—July 13—Nov. 12
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.
Mar. 14—July 14—Nov. 13
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.