Our daily schedule focuses
on the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours), which we sing or
chant together in Chapel. All other activities flow around these
Liturgical prayers.
Daily
- Holy Mass at the Monastery
- The Eucharist is the center
of contemplative life.
- Work period
- Sewing, art work, garden work
or whatever work may be assigned.
5:30 a.m.
6:00 a.m.
- Office of Readings
- Three psalms are chanted and
two or three readings follow. The first reading is a selection
of Sacred Scripture. The second reading is an excerpt from the
Early Fathers of the Church, or a portion of documents of Vatican
II, or from the lives of the Saints. The third reading is that
of the Saint of the day.
- Meditation
- We seek God through silence.
One ponders the Words of Scripture remaining always in God's
presence by listening in silence. First of two meditation periods
done in common in Chapel.
- Lauds (Morning
Prayer)
- Psalms of praise to God as we
marvel of His greatness.
- Breakfast
- Silence pervades a very simple
meal.
12:00 Noon
- Sext
(Midday Prayer)
- Early monasticism counted the
hours of daylight. This is the sixth hour of the day (midday).
Sanctifying the day in praise of God with scripture psalms and
a short reading.
- Dinner
- Our main meal of the day.
- Reading, study, relaxing
- In profound silence in our cells
(private rooms).
3:00 p.m.
- None
(Midafternoon Prayer)
- This is the ninth hour of the
day (midafternoon). Sanctifying the day in praise of God with
scripture psalms and a short reading.
- Rosary
- Five decades recited together
in Chapel. According to tradition, the devotion of the Rosary
was spread by St. Dominic in the thirteenth century.
- Work period
- Sewing, art work, garden work
or whatever work may be assigned.
- Class
- We read and discuss the Encyclicals,
Dominican life, scripture, etc.
Special classes for Novices.
- Free time
6:00 p.m.
- Vespers
(Evening Prayer)
- This great prayer ends the final
Hours (times of the day) of Liturgical prayer and is prayed in
singing God's praises.
- Meditation
- Second of two meditation periods
done in common in Chapel.
- Light supper
- Recreation
- The Sisters gather for laughter
and fun.
8:30 p.m.
- Compline (Night Prayer)
- The final prayer is sung. Processions
close the day honoring Our Lady and St. Dominic our Founder.
- Retire . . . silence
- Read in our cells (private rooms)
as one wishes.
Night Vigils
- Rise
- For Liturgical prayer on important
feasts.
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