An Historical Glimpse on the Passionist Diet
and the Brother
Training Program:
"Nutrition and the Passionist Brother"
by Brother Simon West, C.P.
Introduction: The name of Passionist Brother Simon West (1905-1975) of St. Paul of the Cross Province has been long associated with the religious formation of Passionist brothers. A key component of their training was food preparation for those priests and brothers who lived in the monastery. While much has been written about spiritual formation of seminarians, little attention has been paid to the training program for Passionist brothers. The name of Brother Simon West still can bring about an abundance of varied stories from those Passionist brothers who came under his supervision during the 1950s and 1960s. Consensus seems to be that he knew his craft but could, at times, be a task-master. Later, from the early 1970s until his death, he was a receptionist at the front door of the Passionist monastery in Jamaica, New York. There, consensus is that his participation in the charismatic prayer movement allowed a more mellow side to emerge. If you might be interested in the vocation, story read "I Knelt Alone" by Brother Simon West, C.P. in Why I Became A Brother, Rev. George L. Kane, editor (Newman Press, 1954): 111-121.
The following excerpt was the last installment of three parts published by The Passionist. Edited by Holy Cross Province, the selection below was published in Volume 4 (June 1951): 116-121. One might keep in mind Brother Simon West's overall care for planning and detail in food preparation. First, equal attention is given to the science of actual cooking and the health value of the foods themselves. Second, one gains an all important glimpse into the mid-twentieth century link between spirituality of a Passionist brother and their ministry of internal service to the overall Passionist community. Third, keep in mind that Passionist brothers were also tailors, sandal makers, maintenance men, and took care of the laundry. Fourth and finally, since in the mid 1960s the process of Passionist brother formation has developed to the point where they now participate in the wide variety of Passionist administrative and preaching apostolates. Nevertheless, it is important to call to mind this important segment of Passionist brothers' history. Editor: Rob Carbonneau, C.P., Ph.D.
The health of a community and consequently its happiness is, to a great extent, in the hands of the Brother Cook. Almost everyone has been conscious of this fact throughout the years. But now through the medium of modern nutrition the importance of the fact is considerably magnified. Yes, there is more involved in the process of feeding the brethren than just satisfying the "eye and stomach." The cook is the protector and dispenser of the precious nutritional elements contained in the food he works with. In view of this serious responsibility it is well that those in charge of our food service, whether religious or lay, be well informed in this matter.
The Brothers must not only keep the health of the brethren at heart, but they must also keep a diligent watch over the goods of the monastery. In the Holy Rule we read:
"Let them (Brothers) have a diligent care over the property of the Congregation and consider it as belonging to God. Let them remember that it is placed under their care and that, if through their fault, it be either destroyed or deteriorated, they will have to render to God a severe account for it." Ch. XX.169. The Brother is to see that nothing is destroyed or deteriorated. This can easily happen in the preparation of foodstuffs which are so delicate and perishable. Modern nutrition points out that through the years improper preparation of foods has resulted in the loss of their nutritive value and consequent deterioration because of that loss. It is well then to see what the Passionist Brothers' role is in regard to applying better nutritional practices to the meal preparation. This necessitates descending to details, but that need not detract from the importance of the matter at hand. St. Paul of the Cross did not hesitate to stoop to details concerning the serious problem of feeding his religious.
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