Food, meals and conversation within the Benedictine monastery
To those unfamiliar with Benedictine life, every moment of the day can raise new questions and curiosities about our rules and routines. And for those asking “how do I become a monk,” it’s common to ponder what new customs will await you within a monastery like St. Bede’s.
Like most aspects of life at our monastery in Illinois, our meals are rooted in the The Rule of St. Benedict and underscore recurring themes of obedience and community. The goal, as will all other monastic practices, is to cultivate faithfulness and support our motto of ora et labora—prayer and work.
Mealtime and why it matters
The Divine Office—the daily cycle and rhythm of prayers—is what structures monastic life for the Benedictines. Work flows from these fixed points. And likewise, meals are inserted within that rhythm, offering the strength to keep going.
So, a monk doesn’t necessarily sit down to eat when hunger strikes. Food serves the vocation, not the appetite. Meals are a means of nourishing to continue working and praying faithfully.
Typically, Benedictine monks take two meals a day, at midday and evening. But this schedule may change based on other factors. During Lent, they may only have one main meal. And if monks are engaging in heavy labor during the summer, adjustments may also be made.
Almost ironically, this practice of discipline around meals also protects monks from overworking. When a mealtime is fixed at our monastery in Illinois, work must stop, tools are laid down and productivity yields to humanity. The bell for meals has the same authority as the bell for monks’ prayer.
Mealtime should be viewed as another expression of obedience within a Benedictine monastery: a monk will eat what is served, when it is served and in the manner in which it is prescribed. Just as monks’ prayer is a chance for to practice attentiveness and obedience, meals encourage that same posture.
So just like other rooms and structures in the monastery, the refectory becomes a place of humility and obedience, like choir stalls or the workshop.
Communal meals and how they shape monastic life
Monks take their meals together in the rectory. Typically, this is done in silence. For a Benedictine monk, this is a means of continuing the attention they give to prayer. In monks’ prayer, silence creates an interior stance, one that encourages them to listen to God. It’s key that this attention is not broken.
That said, while eating, one monk may read aloud from Scripture or a text about a saint’s life. So during mealtime, the body is fed while the mind continues its orientation toward God. If any conversation is allowed, it’s usually reserved for specific days or seasons.
Before and after meals, monks will express gratitude in the form of prayer. Think of it as part of a cycle: prayer asks for strength, work expands that strength and food restores it. And at the end of a meal, praying is a way of giving thanks for that restoration.
As that cycle repeats daily, monks come to see food not as a reward, but as a provision for their faithfulness.
The monks’ menu
As The Rule emphasizes moderation, the food served is typically simple, seasonal and locally sourced—often from the monastery’s own land.
Curious to learn more about the food and goods produced at a monastery? You can read more here.
Historically, Benedictines have avoided meat from four-legged animals. Instead, they’ve opted for vegetables, grains and soups. Some monasteries have allowed for dairy and eggs. And fish is often permitted, particularly during Lent.
In contemporary times, meals may look quite familiar: casseroles and pastas or soups and salads. Bread baked in the monastery is also common.
Fr. Dominic has a full line of cookbooks! Shop at Monks’ Market here.
Welcoming guests to the monks’ table
In The Rule, St. Benedict reminds monks that “All guests are to be welcomed as Christ.”
When guests are present, the tone often shifts. At our monastery in Illinois, the abbot may dine with guests, rather than with monks. These meals may include conversations, and food selection and helpings can be more generous than a typical monastic meal.
You can learn more about Benedictine hospitality here.
Of course, this is just one aspect of life inside the monastery—but one that is deeply rooted in Benedictine teachings and philosophy. Still curious about monastic life and how to become a monk? Reach out to begin the conversation by using the form at this link.
