Monastic Life

The Liturgy of the Hours

According to the Rule, the Benedictine Community meets several times daily to participate in the Liturgy of the Hours. This ancient form of Christian worship consists of hymns, psalms, other passages from scripture and Christian writings and prayers, interspersed with periods of silent reflection. Through patterned word, music, gesture and silence, we give voice to all creation in praise of God.

Our Community meets for the Hours of Morning, Midday, and Evening Prayer. Many Sisters also pray the Hour of Compline privately before retiring.

Community Prayer: The Eucharist

In all Christian communities Eucharist is the primary celebration of the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection. For the monastic community, it expresses the nature of the community as Church.

Personal Prayer: Lectio Divina

The traditional mode of Benedictine prayer is lectio divina—"holy reading"—the reflective and contemplative reading of sacred scripture, through which one becomes increasingly open to the presence of God and the promptings of the Spirit. Sisters give time daily to personal lectio and may also share group lectio.

Sacred Space: The Liturgical Arts

Throughout Benedictine history, there has always been the tradition of creating places for common worship which utilize the aesthetic arrangement of light, space, time, sound, and movement in such ways that will reveal God's presence to the assembly. Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel, renovated in 1986, represents the blending of elements from the previous monastic chapel, principles of liturgical design, and the needs of the Community into a beautiful and accessible place of worship.