Categories: uncategorized
Date: 16 February 2005 06:01:20
Monday to Saturday
5.00am - Rise
5.15am - Vigil
6.45am - Lauds
7.30am - Mass
Noon - Midday Prayer
12.15pm - Dinner
2.30pm - Afternoon Prayer
6.30pm - Vespers
7.00pm - Tea
8.15pm - Compline (M-F); Vigil Office (S)
Sunday
5.45am - Rise
6.00am - Lauds
9.00am - Sung Mass
Noon - Midday Prayer
12.15pm - Dinner
5.10pm - Vespers
6.30pm - Tea
7.35pm - Compline
The life at the monastery seems to operate by the bell rung for the offices. I'll admit that I only made the 5.15am Vigil service once!
The services, excluding Mass and Sunday Vespers which took place in the abbey church, took place in the monastery chapel. There were choir stalls on the north and south ends of the room that faced each other. The Psalms and hymns were chanted "at" one another: a cantor sang one section, and then the other side responded. The singing was done via Gregorian chant. It was beautiful. We were encouaged to join in and I tried to not shatter any glass by singing softly. ;-)
On weekends, an organist came by and played during the services. It was nice to hear the sound of an organ again [Orthodox services have no musical instruments...voice only], but the unaccompanied chanting was just as beautiful. So pure, so simple; and yet so moving.
I found it of great benefit attending each of the services. It was very easy to slip into a life governed by the bell rung to notify all of services. Taking time out during the day to focus on God is always of benefit, and being able to do with others in the form of a worship service I found greatly beneficial. It truly did provide a "boost" during the day, and before one went to bed.