Why is the prohibition in the Rule of St. Benedict in the first place?
There are some light-weight reasons often given for monastic vegetarianism such as: for the sake of poverty and to help keep meals simple and not terribly enticing. While these are correct and helpful in the ascetical life they are not primary. More likely than not, what is behind the prohibition against eating meat is the belief that doing so, especially that of red-blooded animals, stimulates and even inflames the passions. Especially lust. Monastic practice bears the truth of this out. Since one of the principle ends of the ascetic (monastic) life is the attainment of apathia, that is general control over and quieting of the passions and emotions, whatever aided the process was readily adopted. Fasting is one help. Also, night vigils, silence, and manual labor. So it is, with abstinence from meat. VISITING GROUPS: Do you receive groups for a tour of the monastery? Yes and no! We do not give tours of the monastery but we do receive groups for talks on monastic life. These presentatio
