Divine Office

Seven times a day we celebrate the Divine Office, the 'Work of God.' Each service (such as Morning Prayer) sanctifies a particular time of day. The Offices vary in length from about 15 minutes to 50 minutes. Each service includes a hymn, the chanting of psalms, and a Scripture reading.

Monastic life alternates between work and prayer, going back and forth between them in a rhythm that gives our day balance and focus. When the bell rings we lay aside whatever we are doing and come together to sing God's praises. Monks can be as distracted as anyone else, and the practice of stopping at regular times to pray helps us remember who we are and what we want to be about. But above all we pray because God is worthy of our praise and adoration at all times.