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Dorothy

the Cellaress

Age:

40s - 50s

Psalm 36: They shall be filled from the rich plenty of thy house; and thou shalt give drink to them out of the flowing stream of thy goodness.

Themes:

Nourishing others; struggling with obedience; caring obligations for others

When you first became a nun, you enjoyed the sense of community more than anything. Over time, it has brought you a spiritual sense of companionship. Maybe not with God, but certainly with your sisters - they are effectively your family, your friends, your children at times. Perhaps it is that loving care between you all that is the best way of all to worship God? After the first couple of years, busy learning the rhythms of life and getting to know everyone, things had started to feel stale. You grew bored with the round of prayers and psalms, which go on unvarying day after day. You talked Abbess Joan into making you Cellaress, and now you have something creative. Being Cellaress has been deeply satisfying on an emotional level: you hugely enjoy the practicalities of looking after people: Food. Hugs. A warm blanket. A decent meal on a feast day. A bowl of fresh berries on an occasional evening. Life has improved considerably. While you still write regularly to your family, you are happy enough with your life at Whitwood, even if the Divine Offices sometimes feel like going through the motions.


You sometimes find yourself at odds with the stricter nuns however. To your mind, food is one of the few earthly pleasures allowed to a cloistered life. Others push for a harder line, ordering much stricter observance of the fasting days and dietary restrictions of the Church calendar. Life would be a lot easier with at least a prioress whose attitude was as flexible as your own.


You are earthy, kind, and generous. You like the physical pleasures of life and are more interested in the spirit of rules than in their strict observance. You have little time for people who annoy you and can be undiplomatic at times.

Role:

As the Cellaress, you are in charge of food and drink. It is your duty to make sure the sisters and their guests are appropriately fed. You are also responsible for ensuring that sisters who are restricted in their diet out of devotion (or for discipline) are suitably catered to at mealtimes. You coordinate the sisters who are acting as Kitcheners to serve each meal.

Connections:

Maud, the Prioress

Life at Whitwood would be much improved if more people realised that the psalms are about rejoicing as well as just suffering. Of course discipline must be merited from time to time, everything has a proper limit. But Maud has a tendency to go a bit far with punishment, or hold off a bit long on allowing a sister a proper bite to eat - in those circumstances you are likely to leave them a little treat somewhere they will find it. You know they will come round to God faster if their mind is not tied to their empty stomach. You do try to gently encourage Maud to show a little mercy from time to time, but you’re not sure she is listening to you. 


Ellen, the Cellaress’ Assistant

Secrets:

You have been stealing to help your sick father

A few months ago you received a letter. Your father has caught a wasting sickness, and is no longer able to work. Things at home are very difficult, and money is very short. You could not bear the thought of your parents dying in poverty, but could see the wealth of the abbey all around you in its gold and silver ornaments. So, you took a few to pay off the Abbey’s debt to your father. As Cellaress, you are often in touch with servants making deliveries of food and drink, and so it was not difficult to send a few packages outwards as well. You hope it helps.


Food is going missing

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