Timetable

 

The Monastery

 

            The monastery is the desert where we live to collaborate with God in the work of salvation a solitary life in common, that is tempered by conventual discipline.  Although passing most of the day in the cell, we come together to celebrate the divine praises and Eucharist, to dialogue fraternally about our way of life, to eat with simplicity our frugal meals, and to communicate to each other the hoy of the spirit in recreation.  (Const. 97)

 

Community

 

            In community we seek God in prayer, convinced of the presence of the Lord Jesus in our midst; we listen to and ponder the Word of God, participate in the Eucharist – sacrifice of reconciliation, sacrament of unity and bond of charity- and praise the Lord in Liturgical prayer and silence; we join the effort of community work; we share bread in common together, we reflect upon the common good and together, enjoy recreation. (Const. 28)

 

The Daily Eucharist

 

            The daily celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, memorial of the death and resurrection of the Lord, shall be the “center and culmination of the entire life of the community.  While we are instructed by God’s Word, “we offer the Immaculate Victim not only through the hands of the priest, but also with Him offering ourselves.”  We truly partake of the Body of the Lord, sacrament of unity, and are taken up into a more intimate communion with Him and with one another.  Thus, true unity is both expressed and brought about among the whole community.  The bonds of love  reach out to all the people of God and the way is prepared for universal brotherhood. (Const.64)

 

            According to the precept of the Rules; we will strive to celebrate the Eucharistic Liturgy each day with dignity, giving it special emphasis on the “day of the Lord”

 

The Liturgy of the Hours

 

            Christ Jesus, taking human nature, introduced into this earthly exile that hymn which is sung throughout all ages in the halls of heaven.  He attaches to Himself the entire community of mankind, and has them join Him in singing His Divine song of praise.  For He continues His priestly work through the agency of His Church, which is ceaselessly engaged in praising the Lord and interceding for the salvation of the whole world.  This she does, not only by celebrating the Eucharist but also in other ways, especially by praying the Liturgy of the Hours. (Const. 67)

 

The Sacraments

 

            For well-disposed members of the faithful, the liturgy of the sacraments and sacramental sanctifies almost every event of hteir lives; they are given access to the streams of Divine Grace which flows from the Paschal Mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. (Const. 72)

 

Community and Private Prayer

 

            The life of prayer should be for us at each moment a new immersion in the mystery of Christ, from whom we have been given the Holy Spirit Who cries within us: “Abba, Father”.

 

            The mother of Jesus, the greatest example of the creature who prays, and the prophet Elijah, who stood before God and contemplated His face, are for all of us inspiring models of our style of prayer.

 

            Thus each monastery shall be a visible sign of the Church which contemplates her Lord.

 

            The same Spirit impels us to advance on the way of living faith towards the heights of union with God, making us progress through the multiple internal and external purifications of our life. (Const. 59)

 

Work

 

            By work, which identifies us with the common condition of mankind and which is a demand of religious poverty, we prolong the “work of the Creator” and collaborate in the redemptive action of Christ.

 

            By giving work this spiritual dimension and using it as a means of self-denial, we make our own the dignity given to work by Jesus Christ, Who did not hesitate to work with His hands.  We follow the footsteps of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who while on earth led a life filled with family cares and labor, yet was constantly united with her Son. (Const. 88)

 

Recreation

 

            The alternating rhythm of prayer and work demands moments of joyous recreation.  We participate actively in these because they are times suitable “for the relaxation of the spirit and the strengthening of mental and bodily health”. Const. 34)

 

Fraternal Dialogue

 

            Community dialogue is principally an existential factor and becomes real by the whole of our lives: by service, by dealing kindly with others, by mutual respect, by words, silence, prayer and love.  Nevertheless the community shall gather once a week unless impeded by a just cause to discuss matters of interest.

 

            These meetings, presided over by the Prioress, have this common goal: the constant spiritual renewal and deepening of community life so that we can know one another better and love one another more genuinely. (Const. 30)

 

Formation

 

The supreme objective of formation in religious life is the transformation of oneself to Jesus Christ. This formation has an eminently progressive significance and should be as complete and well balanced as possible, embracing the various dimensions of human life, physical, intellectual, cultural, technical, Christian, religious and Carmelite.(Const. 118)