A Day in the Life

Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey is part of a long tradition of Christian monasticism, with most of our customs and practices born during centuries of monastic experience in a variety of cultures.  The basic elements of prayer, work, and reading weave together through each day creating a sustainable balance for each sister. There is time for everything that needs doing, and space to breathe in between the monastic activities.

A Weekday in the Monastery

3:30 Rise

3:45 Vigils

Interval for Lectio Divina, quiet prayer, reading, and breakfast

7:00 Lauds + Mass
On Tuesday-Saturday and 7:15 on Mondays

8:00 Chapter
Community convenes for announcements, discussions, and the Abbess’ teaching

8:30 – 11:30 Work

9:45 Tierce
At the workplace

12:00 Sext

12:15 Dinner
The sisters eat a simple vegetarian meal together while listening to a spiritual or educational book.
Afterward the whole community washes dishes.

1:00 Meridian
Midday rest period

2:00 None

2:15 – 3:45 Work

Interval for walking, hobbies, reading, study, etc.

5:00 Vespers
(On Mondays, Vespers + Mass)

5:30 Mental prayer
15 minutes of quiet prayer in common

Interval for supper and reading, study, or quiet prayer

7:00 Compline
Followed by the Great Silence

A Sunday in the Monastery

3:30 Rise

3:45 Vigils
With a Third Nocturn in honor of the Resurrection

Interval for Lectio Divina, quiet prayer, reading, and breakfast

6:45 Lauds

7:15 Chapter Talk
Community processes to the Chapter Room to listen to the Abbess’ teaching

Interval

8:30 Mass

11:30 Sext

11:45 Dinner
On Sundays & Solemnities, the community enjoys listening to festal music during the common meal.
On Sundays, the sisters pray None in the Refectory after Dinner, followed by wash-up.

12:45 Interval for prayer, reading, study, walking, hobbies, etc.

4:30 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

5:00 Vespers

5:30 Interval for supper and reading, study, or quiet prayer

7:00 Compline
Followed by the Great Silence

Sunday is dedicated to the mystery of the Resurrection. It is a day of joy and freedom from
work so that the sisters may come together to share the Eucharist more fully and intensely,
and zealously apply themselves to lectio divina and prayer.
OCSO Constitutions 17.3