The Catholic order with the well-known religious rule "ora et labora" (pray and work) and black robes was founded by Benedict of Nursia (480-542), who was later canonised, around the year 529; the first monastery was Montecassino in the southern Italian region of Lazio (which was badly destroyed in the Second World War). The "Regula Benedicti" (Benedict's Rule) written by him and named after him is based on other monastic rules.
Regula BenedictiSt Benedict gives his rule to St Maurus and other monks (picture left). St Benedict writes his rule (centre). An early print in Italian from 1495 (picture right).
It says the following about wine consumption: "Taking into account weaker brothers, we believe that one hemina (about 0.27 litres) a day is sufficient. But those on whom God has bestowed the gift of abstinence may know that a special reward awaits them. But if circumstances show that the measure mentioned is not possible, but much less or nothing at all, we urge the brothers to abstain from grumbling".
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Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden