A Day with the Trappist Monks

As a person living in the 21^st century, what would my day be like at a Trappist monastery ? Why the renewed interest in monastic life in our time ?

As much as description falls short of experience, we’ll endeavor to lay out the basics while extending an invitation to “come away”. Mark 6:31

How long have Christian monasteries been around ?

What is the typical Daily Schedule of a monk ?

How do they support themselves ?

Can I visit a Monastery ?

What can I expect ?

What is a Retreat ?

Who can go on a Retreat at a Monastery ?

I have a family and work responsibilities, how can I adapt the monastic experience for my situation ?

Where can I learn more ?

3:10 a.m. – Rise

3:30 a.m. - Vigils (communal praying of the Psalms)

4:15 a.m. – Personal Prayer, Lectio, light Breakfast,

6 a.m. (6:40 a.m. Sundays) – Lauds, Eucharist, Personal prayer & reading

8 a.m. – The Great (communal) Silence ends

9 a.m. – Morning work until Noon ie; Trappist Preserves, infirmary, running retreats, teaching, property maintenance, Book Store, etc, ..

10 a.m. – Tierce (mid-morning prayer in the workplace)

12:15 p.m. – Sext (midday prayer, lunch

1 p.m. – Dishes, rest or a walk

2 p.m. – None (mid-afternoon prayer) followed by afternoon work

4:30 p.m. – Time for prayer, reading, exercise

5:40 p.m. – Vespers (evening prayer) followed by a light supper, time for personal prayer, reading

7:40 p.m. – Compline (night prayer)

8 p.m. – Retire, the Great (communal) Silence Begins

Christian Monastic History

Short Background

Brief Video

Visiting / On Retreat–

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the grounds around the driveway circle, retreat house and in front of the church entrance but are requested to stay inside the fence and not enter the areas of the enclosure. The monks are happy to welcome visitors and send our prayers and blessings to all our visitors and guests.

Guests are welcome to join the monastic community for the Liturgy of the Hours and for Mass in the Abbey Church beginning with Lauds (Morning Prayer) at 5:30 am, followed by Mass at 6:00 am on weekdays and 6:40 am on weekends. None (pronounced – “known”, which is mid-afternoon prayer) is celebrated at 2:00 pm, Vespers (evening prayer) at 5:40 pm and Compline (night prayer) at 7:40 pm.

Retreatants attend Lauds, Mass and Vespers in the church in a section reserved for them. A psalm book is provided for the hours of Lauds and Vespers. Psalm books for guests contain only Lauds and Vespers. The remaining of the 150 Psalms are prayed during the other Hours of Vigils, Terce, Sext and None in a 2 week cycle. The schedule for Week I and Week II are posted in the church.

Retreatants attend the other hours from side chapels located at the entrance of the church. The doors to the Abbey guest chapels are open for Mass and prayer from 5:30 AM until after Compline every day. And guests are welcome to pray with us.

Psalm books for guests contain only Lauds and Vespers. The remaining of the 150 Psalms are prayed during the other Hours. Week I and Week II are posted in the church.

Lauds – morning prayer at 6 AM on weekdays, 6:40 on weekends

Mass – which follows immediately after Lauds

Sext – midday prayer at 12:15

None – midafternoon prayer at 2 but 2:15 on Sundays

Vespers – evening prayer at 5:40 but 5:10 on Sundays

Compline – night prayer at 7:40