"Each one has his own gift from God, the one in this way, the other in that. Therefore it is with some hesitation that the amount of daily sustenance for others is fixed by us. Nevertheless, in view of the weakness of the infirm we believe that a hemina {just under half a liter} of wine a day is enough for each one. Those moreover to whom God gives the ability of bearing abstinence shall know that they will have their own reward. But the prior shall judge if either the needs of the place, or labour or the heat of summer, requires more; considering in all things lest satiety or drunkenness creep in. Indeed we read that wine is not suitable for monks at all. But because, in our day, it is not possible to persuade the monks of this, let us agree at least as to the fact that we should not drink till we are sated, but sparingly"
So, monks were permitted at that time to drink a total of a hemina a day. Of course, beverages of their day were probably much different than the ones we have on our shelves.
My guess would be that most Americans see it as much more of a pure pleasure where the Italian might see it as a staple of a generally healthy diet.
For that reason, I'd personally lean more toward taking it only at or immediately after/with meal time -- and, for myself, probably limit it to general Sundays and/or higher feasts.
But, that would just be my own personal thought in regard to penance -- & perhaps fasting where that lies.
St. Paul, of course, would recommend it for certain stomach troubles, and I'll not refuse it then!
"Each one has his own gift from God, the one in this way, the other in that. Therefore it is with some hesitation that the amount of daily sustenance for others is fixed by us. Nevertheless, in view of the weakness of the infirm we believe that a hemina {just under half a liter} of wine a day is enough for each one. Those moreover to whom God gives the ability of bearing abstinence shall know that they will have their own reward. But the prior shall judge if either the needs of the place, or labour or the heat of summer, requires more; considering in all things lest satiety or drunkenness creep in. Indeed we read that wine is not suitable for monks at all. But because, in our day, it is not possible to persuade the monks of this, let us agree at least as to the fact that we should not drink till we are sated, but sparingly"
So, monks were permitted at that time to drink a total of a hemina a day. Of course, beverages of their day were probably much different than the ones we have on our shelves.
My guess would be that most Americans see it as much more of a pure pleasure where the Italian might see it as a staple of a generally healthy diet.
For that reason, I'd personally lean more toward taking it only at or immediately after/with meal time -- and, for myself, probably limit it to general Sundays and/or higher feasts.
But, that would just be my own personal thought in regard to penance -- & perhaps fasting where that lies.
St. Paul, of course, would recommend it for certain stomach troubles, and I'll not refuse it then!