December 13th, 2010
Matins – The monk rises in the middle of the night. He stands, facing east, and presents himself to the Lord, resolving to obey the commandments.
Then he makes the sign of the cross and says:
Then he makes the sign of the cross and says:
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Domine, labia mea aperies, et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam.
He continues by reciting Hebrews 3:13: Encourage yourselves daily, while it is still today, so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.
He reads psalm 95 and finishes with the Gloria.
He continues by reciting Hebrews 3:13: Encourage yourselves daily, while it is still today, so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin.
He reads psalm 95 and finishes with the Gloria.
Then he reads about the day’s saint. For example: St. Lucy (Virgin, Martyr) was born in Sicily of noble parents. She gave herself to Jesus and chose death rather than lose the treasure of her virginity. She died in AD 303. She is mentioned in the Canon of the mass.
The day's reading can be much longer, if appropriate. On ferial days, readings may be forgone or others may be substituted.
The day's reading can be much longer, if appropriate. On ferial days, readings may be forgone or others may be substituted.
Turning to the book of the prophet Nahum, he reads the entire third chapter: Woe to the bloody city...
Finally, he says the dismissal:
May the Lord bless me,
protect me from all evil,
and bring me to everlasting life.
Amen.
If said in a group, pronouns are changed to the first person plural.
Lauds – At first light, before the Sun is actually risen, the monk rises again. He prays:
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.
Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
Et in saecula saeculorum.
He then recites psalms 46, 5, 28 and 116.
Turning to the book of the prophet Habbacuc, he reads the first chapter.
After some meditation, he prayes the Pater Noster and the Magnificat, before going to sunrise Mass.
Mass is followed by breakfast.
Prime – After breakfast the monk stands, faces East, makes the sign of the cross and prays:
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.
Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
Et in saecula saeculorum.
He then prays psalms 23 and 18.
Finally, he prays the St. Michael Prayer and commences work.
Terce- At mid-morning, the monk ceases his work or studies. He stands, faces east, makes the sign of the cross and prays:
Afterwards, he returns to work or study.
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.
Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
Et in saecula saeculorum.
He then prays psalms 26 and 27.
Turning to the book of Genesis, he reads verses one to seven from the third chapter.
Sext – At mid-day, the monk again ceases work or study. He stands, faces east, makes the sign of the cross and prays:
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.
Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
Et in saecula saeculorum.
He then prays psalm 30.
Turning to the book of Genesis, he reads verses eight to nineteen from the third chapter.
He finishes by saying the Angelus.
The monk has dinner before returning to work or study.
None – In the middle of the afternoon, the monk again ceases work or study. He stands, faces east, makes the sign of the cross and prays:
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.
Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
Et in saecula saeculorum.
Now he prays psalms 31 and 32.
Turning to the book of Genesis, he reads verses twenty to twenty-four from the third chapter.
Afterwards, there is time for private prayer, recreation or rest. There is no work, or eating, after none.
Vespers – At sunset, the monk stands, faces east, makes the sign of the cross and prays:
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.
Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
Et in saecula saeculorum.
He prays psalms 114, 115, 119, 120 and 121.
Turning to the book of the prophet Habbacuc, he reads the second chapter.
After some meditation, he prays the Pater Noster and the Benedictus before having supper.
Compline – When darkness is complete, the monk returns to his cell. Standing, he faces east, makes the sign of the cross and prays:
In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.
Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper,
Et in saecula saeculorum.
Silently he makes an examination of his soul and mentally reviews his day.
Afterward, he recites the Confiteor.
Then he prays psalms 6 and 7.
Finally, he prays the In Manus Tuas and the Nunc Dimittis and sings a hymn to the Virgin before sleeping.
