As of this time, 12 hours into the ferment, the airlock is venting twice a second and the wash temperature is a balmy 27C. I will measure the density in the morning. The little back warmer heating pad is on "low", and the ambient temperature is 18C.
Very encouraging signs!! I do believe the monks are well at their prayers.
Mind you, I did overdo the yeast a bit... but rehydrating monks isn't a bother.
To recap: 2 packets rehydrated in blood warm water (40C) then put in a 6 gallon wash, acidified with lactic acid to 4.5, aerated overnight with no activity noticed in the morning. Then checked pH again..3.5!!..had overshot. basified to pH 4.5 with bicarbonate of soda (two teaspoons, added by halves), and diluted to SG 1.100 by removing some of the wash and replacing it with pure water to constant volume, then added 1 packet directly to the wash sprinkled lightly over the top, and aerated again for 2 hours. Stirring was applied at each step except after the final yeast addition.
My thought is that perhaps the monks had, in fact, been slowly at work but the acidity of the wash meant that the CO2 was being entrained and slowed them down considerably. I did notice quite a bit of fizzing when I stirred the wash in the morning before I rechecked the pH, and yet no production gases. Once neutralized, the wash gave up another load of gases and then a bit later, it started bubbling away just as it should.
Here's my fingers crossed, and a genuflection at the altar for a good outcome.
Pax Vobiscum.
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