As Cellarer of the Monastery
St. Benedict emphasizes the qualities and responsibilities of a cellarer in the monastery, highlighting humility, care for others, and respect for property.
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.
Text
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.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Qualities of a good cellarer - Responsibilities of the cellarer - Relationship with the Abbot
- II points: - Handling unreasonable demands - Importance of humility - Communication with brethren
- III points: - Care for the vulnerable - Accountability on the Day of Judgment - Respect for monastery property
- IV points: - Balance in stewardship - Avoiding extremes of behavior - Following the Abbot's guidance
Key Quotes
“Let him have charge of everything.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“He who has ministered well will acquire for himself a good standing.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
“Let him not think that he may neglect anything.” — St. Benedict of Nursia
Application Points
- Strive to embody the qualities of a good leader in your community.
- Practice humility in your interactions, especially when faced with unreasonable requests.
- Treat all resources and relationships with respect, recognizing their sacredness.