Prayer, Lectio, Liturgy

The Benedictine Rule

The Rule of Benedict forms the framework around which we follow Jesus Christ in Cistercian life. The threefold balance of prayer, work and sacred reading is lived in a community, which as a school of charity and the Lord’s service, is the path we walk in simplicity, prayer and faithfulness to the monastic way of life.

Prayer

The depths of monastic life flow from the experience of personal love for the Lord Jesus. It is from this that desire for God and prayer flow forth. We spend time with God daily in communal and personal prayer. Through these sacred moments, we deepen our relationship with Jesus, that eventually can bring us to continual prayer. In continual prayer, we are open to the reality of the presence of God in one another, in every circumstance and in all creation in a relationship of love.
Prayer Times & Mass

Lectio & Sacred Reading

Lectio Divina, or Sacred Reading, especially of Scripture, is a time-honored form of monastic prayer. It is another way that prayer is woven into our daily life. In it we invite the Spirit of God into our being through what we read. In the stillness of our being we listen and respond and rest in the love that is God’s presence.

This spiritual discipline in the quietude of our monastery welcomes the teachings of the Gospel to penetrate our hearts and minds, leading us deeper into the likeness of Jesus and God’s infinite love and life. Lectio deepens our relationship with the incarnate Word through the written word. In that dynamic encounter with Christ, the word takes flesh in the reality of our daily lives.

Liturgy & Communal Worship

The Liturgy of the Hours, or the Divine Office, is a liturgical rhythm which calls us together at set times from the routine of each day to weave prayer and intercession for the world into the fabric of our lives. It is a way of sanctifying all we do in order to place it in the heart of God in thankfulness, praise and intercession.

Vigils in the night recreate the symbolism and reality of the Great Paschal Vigil, home of fire in the dark heart.

 Lauds, or morning prayer, welcome a new day and the joy of all beginnings.

The Eucharistic celebration sweeps us up into the sacramental reality of the Paschal event.

Terce is the first of the Little Hours, recited at work, it opens our labor to refreshment in psalm and reflection.

Our noon prayer finds us back in church, dipping into the mystery of midday before the communal meal and the gathering of forces for the other half of the day and the life it signifies.

None again breaks work for a few moments of dipping into the Spirit.

Vespers closes the day with the last major office, symbolizing the end of life and the beginning of forever.

Compline is a quiet shadow of Vespers, gently saying goodbye to another day of praise, labor, and grace.

Join Us for Sacred Prayer Times and Mass

We extend a warm invitation to join us for the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass in our monastery guest chapel.

Prayer Times & Mass

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A Weekend of Prayer, Peace, and Possibility!

Step away from the noise and into the rhythm of monastic life. If you’re a Catholic woman discerning your path, our Monastic Experience Weekend offers a rare opportunity to explore contemplative life at Santa Rita Abbey.

Friday, October 4 – Monday, October 7

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