Like
everyone else we have to work. Work is not only an obligation it
is a grace; a gift from God and a prayer. We pray and ask each other
for patience before we begin to work, and we pray again and thank
each other for support and tolerance when we have finished a job.
Though Ty Mam Duw depends mostly on unsolicited free gifts, the
sisters work in the garden, helping to grow food which they and
those who come here will eat. They produce craft work: cards, vestments,
woodwork etc. They naturally do the ordinary household tasks of
cleaning and cooking. But their real task is to be available to
God in love and to stand before him, like Moses on the mountain
with their arms uplifted in prayer and intercession for the needs
of the world.
The Church consecrates some of her daughters and sons to praise
the Lord throughout the day and night. Using mainly texts from the
Psalms and readings from Scripture there are seven main 'Offices'
or praise services through out the day. The old Latin titles for
them are
- Lauds
- the morning hour of praise
- Terce
-
(the 'third hour' of the Roman military clock, around nine o'clock
in our time) the hour when Jesus was Crucified (St. Mk 15.25)
- Sext
- midday (Roman tours of duty lasted
three hours), the hour of darkness over the world during the
Crucifixion (St. Mt 27.45)
-
None
- the hour when Jesus died (St.
Lk 32.44). These three hours were the traditional times of prayer
in the Temple, and being sacred to Judaism were adopted by the
early Christian Church (Acts 2.15, 3.1, 10.3 and 9)
- Vespers
- the hour at which the lamps or
candles were lit. Light being a sacred symbol of Christ, the
early Church selected this evening time as a special hour of
praise.
- Compline
- shorthand for completorum
the conclusion of the day with prayers for a restful night,
but as it happens, a short one:
- Matins
- "at midnight there was a cry,
behold the bridegroom comes" (St. Mt 25. 1-13, St. Lk 12.35)
We strongly favour being awake and ready so we get up a bit
earlier, at 11.
THE HORARIUM
5.45
Rising Bell to the Shrine of our
Lady
6.25
Prayer Veni Sancte Spiritus
Angelus Procession to Choir reciting St Francis Office of
Passion
Exposition of Blessed
Sacrament
until 7.15 followed by Morning
Prayer (Lauds)
8.15
Holy Mass
Immediately followed
by
-
Terce::
the Office of the Passion
Chapter
and the giving out
of the days work
Work
12.15
Reading in Choir
Sext: Midday
prayer 12.35
- The Office of the
Passion in procession to the refectory dinner (silent, with
reading) followed by half an hour of free time, frequently
spent in pairs or groups practising music, dancing, Bible
study, crafts.
Work
None: Office for the Dead in the Refectory
16.30
- Followed by Collation
(Silent with (lighter) reading)
- Procession to Choir
reciting litany of Mary
- 15 minutes reading
- or Music practice, if needed
Vespers: Evening Prayer
- Followed by time
for prayer and meditation until
19.00
Chapter of Reconciliation
Compline: 19.15
- Procession to our
Lady's Shrine
- Reciting Office of
Passion
- Offering of the day
to Mary,
- Prayers of Intercession,
- Prayer for Priests
- Blessing
To be in bed by
21.00
at latest (earlier
if possible)
23.00
Rising Bell for Matins
Rosary
Matins:
- Prayer of St Colete
- Prayer for the
World
- Praises of God
of St Francis (prostrate), ending
00.20
approx.
- Optional night meditation
ending
00.45
- Bed and start again
at the head of the page...
As we put at the bottom of
the papers for our Liturgies:
"THIS IS ALL SUBJECT TO HUMAN ERROR AND ALTERATION WITHOUT PRIOR
NOTICE!"
... in other words it is flexible, and if you feel you might like
to drop in to pray at Vespers (you would be very welcome) it does
pay to give us a ring and make sure it is at the hour advertised!
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