One day in the life of the community
dropcap font="" size="50" background="" color="#957230" circle="0" transparent="1"]A[/dropcap] day at the monastery begins with the matins liturgy, which starts with the words “Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise”. The dawn hours are suited to silence and the deepening of faith. After this there is a period of personal prayer and next come the lauds, with prayers of praise to God for the new day. This is followed by a little free time and the most important rite of the day: the Eucharist.
After that we have breakfast and go to our respective workplaces around the monastery. The morning ends with an hour of lectio divina, a key time when the community immerses itself in Sacred Scripture and theological questions.
L unch is followed by the midday prayer, the minor hours. Lunch is eaten in silence, although on certain days we listen to music or conversation is allowed.
In the early afternoon the community meets to relax for a while. Depending on the weather and the time of year, this may consist of a stroll outdoors in the garden or around the cloister, or a visit to the old cellar, a beautiful place where Sacred Scripture and Theology classes are periodically taught and conferences are held on various topics.
A fter this break, a little time is set aside for personal leisure and rest, and then, if no necessary change has been made to the daily routine, we go back to work until Vespers, when we give thanks together for the day that is coming to an end. After that, a long period is dedicated to personal prayer and we have supper. The day ends and it is necessary to weigh up how the time has been spent, which is done through deep reflection that ends with the last prayer of the day, the compline. Finally, we turn in for the night.