The refectory was a place where brethen monastic and their guestswere eating meals. It also served as a recreation room – free time was spent here during the day. As a rule, the brothers should eat their fill and listen to the Scriptures during the meal, in order to feed not only the body but also the souls. Before each meal, a prayer of thanksgiving was to be said, “Pater noster” (“Our Father”) and “Ave Maria” (“Hail Mary”). On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, monks were allowed to eat meat. On other days, eggs and cheese. Friday, on the other hand, was a day of fasting, when instead of two meals they received only one.
The bedrooms were called dormitories. As a rule, brothers should sleep together in the same room. They were to sleep always in shirts, underwear, and trousers, and, as befits religious people, with the light on. They also shouldn’t take off their shoes so that they are ready to fight immediately after waking up.