Cistercian Trappist monastic life is characterised by a contemplative life according to the Rule of Saint Benedict, with no apostolate other than that of prayer.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of all Christian life, and all the more so for the consecrated person.
Daily Mass is the centre of the monk's day.
The first office of the day is VIGILS and lasts 1 hour.
LAUDS follows sunrise. This office begins at 5:45 and, on weekdays, the Eucharist is integrated into it.
The 'little hours' of TERCE, SEXT and NONE last about 15 minutes.
VESPERS, after the afternoon's work, lasts 30 minutes.
COMPLINE, before retiring for the night, lasts 20 minutes.
Seven times a day I have sung your praisePsalm 118
Lectio divina is a form of reading that consists in opening one's mind and heart to God.
It is not to be identified with study.
It engages the mind, and above all the heart. Rooted in the reading of the Holy Bible, it may extend to other readings.
Lectio is practised in the scriptorium, before Lauds or before Sext and during free time (the midday rest or in the evening before Compline). At least 45 minutes a day are devoted to it.
"For then are they truly monks when they live by the labour of their hands, as did our Fathers and the Apostles."Rule of Saint Benedict, ch. 48
The monk takes care to carry out his work diligently and carefully, in a spirit of prayer.
The work is varied: kitchen garden, orchard, workshops (carpentry and mechanics), farming, livestock, cooking, care of the sick, cleaning, etc.
The economic life of the monastery is an everyday endeavour involving many brothers (management, administration, book-keeping, making products, etc.).
