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  AN HOUR BEFORE THE MEAL
  by St. Benedict of Nursia
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Summary: St. Benedict emphasizes the importance of preparation and
transition for servers in the monastery.

Topics: "Christian Humility", "Prayer Service"
Scripture References: Psalm 90:17, Psalm 121:1, Philippians 2:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, James 4:10

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DESCRIPTION
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St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of humility, prayer,
and service in the context of serving others in the monastery. He
instructs the weekly servers to receive sustenance before their duties
to avoid fatigue and serve their brethren without complaint. On solemn
days, they are to wait until after Mass. The servers are to prostrate
themselves before the community, seek prayers, and offer blessings as
they transition in and out of their service, acknowledging God's help
and seeking His aid.

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CONTENT
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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.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-benedict-of-nursia/an-hour-before-the-meal/
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