At What Hours the Meals Should Be Taken
Mar. 20—July 20—Nov. 19
From holy Easter until Pentecost let the brethren take dinner at the
sixth hour and supper in the evening.
From Pentecost throughout the summer, unless the monks have work in the
fields or the excessive heat of summer oppresses them, let them fast on
Wednesdays and Fridays until the ninth hour; on the other days let them
dine at the sixth hour. This dinner at the sixth hour shall be the daily
schedule if they have work in the fields or the heat of summer is
extreme; the Abbot’s foresight shall decide on this. Thus it is that he
should adapt and arrange everything in such a way that souls may be
saved and that the brethren may do their work without just cause for
murmuring.
From the Ides of September until the beginning of Lent let them always
take their dinner at the ninth hour.
In Lent until Easter let them dine in the evening. But this evening hour
shall be so determined that they will not need the light of a lamp while
eating, but everything will be accomplished while it is still daylight.
Indeed at all seasons let the hour, whether for supper or for dinner, be
so arranged that everything will be done by daylight.