Our Daily Routine
Every Day Is A Gift from God
In the monastic life, schedules provide the structure on which our day is opened to the experience of God. Each day at the monastery is woven from the quiet threads of prayer, worship, reading, community and service — simple acts offered wholeheartedly to God. In these sacred moments, we find unity and a reminder that our lives are in service to Someone greater.
A Focus on Divine Schedule and Structure
The monastic life places great emphasis on schedule and structure. Schedules are there to focus and channel our energies in a particular direction. In the monastic life, schedules allow for a structure in which our day is open to the experience of God and inner growth in love. Our monastic world is rich, often rich with the surprise and adventure of search and spiritual development. By surrendering to the Lord and our divine purpose of serving the people of God, we find beauty in repetition amid the absence of self-promotion and glamour.
Christ is our day:
Prayer, Lectio, Manual Labor
- 4:00 a.m. – Rising
- 4:15 a.m. – Vigils
- Quiet prayer of half an hour, Lectio Divina
- Pick up breakfast and ad lib during interval
- 7:00 a.m. – Lauds
- Followed by Mass or Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion (if no priest)
- 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. - Morning Work
- 9:30 a.m. – Office of Tierce at work
- 12:OO p.m. – Midday Prayer
- Followed by Dinner, dishes together, optional siesta
- 1:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. - Afternoon Work
- 3:00 p.m. – Office of None at work
- Pick up supper anytime before Vespers or after Compline
- 5:20 p.m. – Vespers, followed by quiet prayer
- 6:00 p.m. – Compline
- 8:00 p.m. – Retiring
Learn More About Our Monastic Life
Cistercian monastic life shares in a long tradition of monks and nuns for whom Christ is everything. The self-gift to God in a community united in charity around Jesus is lived out by accepting a share in his Paschal Mystery in our own lives. To plan a visit or learn more about us, we invite you to contact us by phone or email.