Chapter Fifty-Three
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
Of the Reception of Guests
LET ALL guests who arrive be received as Christ, because He himself will say: “I was a stranger and you took Me in.” (Matt. 25:35). And let due honor be shown to all, especially to those “of the household of the faith” (Gal. 6:10) and to pilgrims.
When, therefore, a guest is announced, let him be met by the Superior and the brethren with every mark of charity. The first order of business is that they must pray together; then they are united with one another in peace. The kiss of peace should not be given before prayer has first been said, on account of the wiles of the devil. In the greeting let all humility be shown to the guests, whether arriving or departing: With the head bowed down or even the whole body prostrate on the ground, let Christ be adored in them as He is also received.
When the guests have been received, let them be accompanied to prayer, and after that let the Superior, or whomever he commands, sit down with them. Let the divine law be read to the guest that he may be edified, after which let every kindness be shown him. Let the fast be broken by the Superior in deference to the guest, unless, it happens to be a day of solemn fast, which cannot be broken. The brethren, however, keep the customary fast. The Abbot should pour the water on the hands of the guests. And the Abbot and the whole brotherhood should wash the feet of all the guests. When they have been washed, let them say this verse: “We have received Thy mercy, O God, in the midst of Thy temple.” (Ps. 47:10; 48:10, Vulg.). Let the greatest care be taken, especially in the reception of the poor and pilgrims, because Christ is received especially in them; whereas the dread respect for the wealthy itself obtains for them respect.
Let the kitchen of the Abbot and the guests set apart so that the brethren may not be disturbed. Guests arrive at uncertain times and are never wanting in the monastery. Let two brothers who are able to fulfill this Office well go into the kitchen for a year. Let help be given them as they need it, that they may serve without murmuring; and when they have not enough to do, let them go out again for work where it is commanded them. Let this course be followed, not only in this Office, but in all the Offices of the monastery—that whenever the brethren need help, it be given them, and that when they have nothing to do, they again obey orders. Moreover, let also a God-fearing brother have assigned to him the apartment of the guests, where there should be sufficient number of beds made up; and let the house of God be wisely managed by the wise.
On no account let anyone who is not ordered to do so, associate or speak with guests; but if he meet or see them, having saluted them humbly, as we have said, and asked a blessing, let him pass on saying that he is not allowed to speak with a guest.