The Cellarer

As cellarer of the monastery, there should be chosen from the community someone who is wise, mature in conduct, temperate, not an excessive eater, not proud, excitable, offensive, dilatory or wasteful, but God-fearing, and like a father to the whole community. He will take care of everything, but will do nothing without an order from the abbot. Let him keep to his orders.
He should not annoy the brothers. If any brother happens to make an unreasonable demand of him, he should not reject him with disdain and cause him distress, but reasonably and humbly deny the improper request. Let him keep watch over his own soul, ever mindful of that saying of the Apostle: He who serves well secures a good standing for himself (1 Tim 3:13). He must show every care and concern for the sick, children, guests and the poor, knowing for certain that he will be held accountable for all of them on the day of judgment. He will regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar, aware that nothing is to be neglected. He should not be prone to greed, nor be wasteful and extravagant with the goods of the monastery, but should do everything with moderation and according to the abbot’s orders. (RB80.31.1-12)

Benedict provides us today with the qualities required of the monastery cellarer. Every group has a "cellarer" of sorts...just under a different guise. Families have parents, sports teams have the team manager, work places have HR. There is a need for a person or persons who are the "go to" person on projects, events or activities.

Benedict's ideal person is not excitable, reasonable, kind, considerate and wise. This person has the skill necessary to say no and leave the person feeling as though they received a gift. The superior possesses many qualities that parallel those required for the cellarer. They are so close that the cellarer is warned twice to not do anything that would not be readily endorsed by the leader. There needs to be a trust that whether the superior asks it or one of her assistants ask that the same values and philosophy will be proposed.

The qualities of the cellarer are personal traits that I hope to possess someday. May I remain open to God's voice in my life to accept these qualities when they are offered to me.

Sr. Catherine, OSB