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  AS CELLARER OF THE MONASTERY
  by St. Benedict of Nursia
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Summary: St. Benedict emphasizes the qualities and responsibilities of a
cellarer in the monastery, highlighting humility, care for others, and
respect for property.

Topics: "Monastic Life", "Stewardship"
Scripture References: Proverbs 11:24, Matthew 25:40, Colossians 3:23, 1 Timothy 3:13, 1 Peter 4:10

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DESCRIPTION
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St. Benedict of Nursia emphasizes the importance of choosing a wise,
mature, and God-fearing individual to serve as the cellarer of the
monastery. This person should be humble, obedient to the Abbot's orders,
and caring towards the community, especially the sick, children, guests,
and the poor. The cellarer is entrusted with the responsibility of
overseeing all aspects of the monastery with diligence and reverence,
treating everything as sacred. St. Benedict reminds the cellarer to act
with moderation, neither hoarding nor wasting resources, but managing
them wisely in accordance with the Abbot's guidance.

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CONTENT
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As cellarer of the monastery

let there be chosen from the community

one who is wise, of mature character, sober,

not a great eater, not haughty, not excitable,

not offensive, not slow, not wasteful,

but a God-fearing man

who may be like a father to the whole community.

Let him have charge of everything.

He shall do nothing without the Abbot's orders,

but keep to his instructions.

Let him not vex the brethren.

If any brother

happens to make some unreasonable demand of him,

instead of vexing the brother with a contemptuous refusal

he should humbly give the reason

for denying the improper request.

Let him keep qua rd over his own soul,

mindful always of the Apostle's saying

that "he who has ministered well

will acquire for himself a good standing" (1 Tim. 3:13).

Let him take the greatest care

of the sick, of children, of guests and of the poor,

knowing without doubt

that he will have to render an account for all these

on the Day of Judgment.

Let him regard all the utensils of the monastery

and its whole property

as if they were the sacred vessels of the altar.

Let him not think that he may neglect anything.

He should be neither a miser

nor a prodigal and squanderer of the monastery's substance,

but should do all things with measure

and in accordance with the Abbot's instructions.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/st-benedict-of-nursia/as-cellarer-of-the-monastery/
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