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It is right that human nature itself is drawn to mercy in these times of life, namely the old and the young: so the authority of the Rule should provide for them.
Licet ipsa natura humana trahatur ad misericordiam in his aetatibus, senum videlicet et infantum: tamen et regulae auctoritas eis prospiciat.
Their weakness should always be considered and let the severity of the Rule in regards to food in no ways be applied to them; but let there be kind consideration for them, and let them anticipate the normal hours.
Consideretur semper in eis imbecillitas, et nullatenus eis districtio regulae teneatur in alimentis; sed sit in eis pia consideratio, et praeveniant horas canonicas.
Comment
This is another chapter demonstrating Saint Benedict’s famous moderation in monastic discipline. “Let them anticipate the normal hours” means they should be allowed to eat earlier, or even have extra meals if, for example, it is a fast day for the rest of the community.
These dispensations all lie in the hands of the Abbot, of course, as we have seen before.
In our lives, if we are hungry, we go to our kitchen if at home, or, if out and about, we buy a snack. In a monastery, food and drink are only given at set times – that is part of the asceticism of the monastic life. So the needs of the young and the old have to be foreseen and planned so that no-one suffers.