On the Sick Brethren
Mar. 15—July 15—Nov. 14
Before all things and above all things, care must be taken of the sick,
so that they will be served as if they were Christ in person; for He
Himself said, “I was sick, and you visited Me,” and, “What you did for
one of these least ones, you did for Me.” But let the sick on their part
consider that they are being served for the honor of God, and let them
not annoy their brethren who are serving them by their unnecessary
demands. Yet they should be patiently borne with, because from such as
these is gained a more abundant reward. Therefore the Abbot shall take
the greatest care that they suffer no neglect.
For these sick brethren let there be assigned a special room and an
attendant who is God-fearing, diligent and solicitous. Let the use of
baths be afforded the sick as often as may be expedient; but to the
healthy, and especially to the young, let them be granted more rarely.
Moreover, let the use of meat be granted to the sick who are very weak,
for the restoration of their strength; but when they are convalescent,
let all abstain from meat as usual.
The Abbot shall take the greatest care that the sick be not neglected by
the cellarers or the attendants; for he also is responsible for what is
done wrongly by his disciples.