The Monastic Hours

The monks of the Order of the Holy Cross are of the Benedictine tradition. St. Benedict began what became the order bearing his name in the early 500’s AD. He placed an emphasis on prayer, study, and work creating an order to the day, or Rule, that basically continues to the present. Benedict’s Rule became adapted by Monastic communities in later years.
The first community prayer is called Vigils and begins at 6:00am.The opening words of this service are from the psalms, “Lord, open our lips…” ending the great silence begun the night before. Breakfast at 7:15 is in silence. Lauds and the Eucharist have been combined and happen at 8:00am and talking is allowed after this service. The morning is to be used for personal devotion and study.
Noon prayers and lunch shift the day into work. Originally Benedictines were self sufficient communities with their own farms and services. Work was concentrated in doing what needed to be done to feed and take care of the essentials of the community as well as create the beautiful manuscripts for which monasteries were known. Today work involves local parish programs, social services or education. The monks here divide their time in the hospitality of the guest house they run as well as lead quiet days and retreats for individuals and groups. They also run an after school program for local children and youth to supplement a troubled public school system.
Vespers brings everyone back together at 5:30pm followed by supper and conversation. Compline at 8:00pm ends the day and begins the Great Silence, after which all go to their rooms or quietly read in the common rooms.
There is a gentle rhythm to the day that draws in both brother and guest. The schedule of services or “hours” as they are called take their names from the Latin words describing the time of day they occur. It sets the focus and maintains the pace of the day keeping God at the center and the chanting or recitation of the psalms the heartbeat of the monastic life.
Parishes that we’re used to follow a similar order of worship and yet each is very different in character. The same can be said for monastic houses. Even by its name Mariya uMama we Themba (Mary, Mother of Hope) this monastery’s commitment to the people of South Africa is evident in their multi lingual services, the worshippers they draw from the area and the work they do in education. White, Black and Coloured South Africans are welcome during the week but mostly join on Sunday at 9:00am in a beautiful reflection of the hope they each carry for a united South Africa gathered in love and service to God and each other.