THE DAILY LIFE OF A MONK

Monday-Friday

04:00 AM Rise, Prepare to head to the Church. Some monks will grab a quick cup of coffee or shower before first prayers.

04:30 Matins, followed by Lauds & Angelus

05:30 Self-Serve Breakfast in the Refectory and Personal Time for showering etc. Some brothers will grab a quick nap! Not all monks are morning persons.

07:30 Prime & Chapter. The monks meet daily in Chapter to discuss the upcoming day.

08:00 Obediences (Work). Monks wear a work habit where necessary or their regular habit.

11:30 Stop work, wash up as necessary & change into regular habit & head to Church for Mid-Day Prayers

12:00 PM Mid-Day Prayers (Angelus & Dirunum)

12:15 Holy Eucharist (laity from the local community often join us)

1:00 Lunch in the Refectory, accompanied by reading. Clean-up follows.

2:00 Obediences (Work)

4:00 End Work, Shower if necessary, change habits & Personal Time. Some monks will use the time for personal prayer, divine reading, adoration, or praying the rosary in the Church.

4:50 Head to Church for Vespers

5:00 Vespers

5:30 Dinner & Clean-Up of Kitchen

6:00 Recreation with the other brethren. Some brothers like to watch the evening news, take a walk, or play card and board games, etc. This is a special time for the community to spend together as brothers.

8:00 Compline & Angelus. Each monk is blessed with Holy Water by the Prior as they leave the Church.

8:15 Retire. Some monks will recreate until Great Silence.

10:00 Great Silence & Lights Out

Saturday

05:30 AM Rise, Prepare to head to the Church. Some monks will grab a quick cup of coffee or shower before first prayers.

06:00 Angelus, Matins, & Lauds

07:00 Self-Serve Breakfast & Personal Time

08:00 Prime & Eucharist

09:00 Personal Time until 6 PM. Some monks will visit friends or family in the community or visit a park, museum, or other entertainment. Other monks prefer to rest at the Monastery or work on personal projects indoors and outdoors. Lunch is self-serve.

5:30 PM All brethren should be back at the Monastery and preparing for Angelus & Vespers

6:00 Angelus & Vespers

6:30 Dinner & Recreation

8:00 Compline & Angelus followed by Matins of Sunday

9:00 Retire. Some brethren will recreate until Great Silence

10:00 Great Silence. Lights Out.

Sunday & Solemnities

05:30 AM Rise, Prepare to head to the Church. Some monks will grab a quick cup of coffee or shower before first prayers.

06:00 Angelus & Lauds

06:30 Self-Serve Breakfast & Personal Time

08:00 Holy Eucharist (Priory Chapel) After Eucharist, there is Personal Time until Noon. Priests that work in parishes or chaplaincies will go out to celebrate the Eucharist there. Lay-Brothers, Cloistered Oblates, & Volunteers are welcome to join.

12:00 Angelus & Mid-Day Prayers followed by Lunch and Personal Time.

17:00 Vespers, Exposition, Litany, and Benediction followed by Community Recreation and a Buffet-Style Meal in the Calefactory.

Compline & Angelus is prayed in private on Sunday nights