As the season of Lent is upon us, and now well under way, we “look forward to Easter with the joy of spiritual longing,” as our holy Father Saint Benedict of Nursia describes this season in his chapter, “On the Observance of Lent,” in the Holy Rule. This is the document (from the sixth century) that we especially follow as Catholic Benedictine monks.
In addition to the usual daily celebration of Holy Mass (the Eucharist) and the chanting of the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours) throughout the day, beginning with Vigils in church at 4:00 am, we monks of Christ in the Desert also add lectio divina, that is the prayerful reading of Sacred Scripture (the Bible) in a common place (at present in the monastic refectory or dining room) each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 5 pm.
On Fridays during Lent we pray together the Via Crucis, also called the Way or Stations of the Cross, in our cloister garth, a section of the monastery that is conducive to prayer.
Exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is also part of our daily prayer throughout the year, from 5:15 to 5:45 pm, followed by the chanting of Vespers at 5:50 pm, with a light meal after in the refectory, then daily chapter meeting after that, when we listen to a portion of the Rule of Saint Benedict and a commentary by the abbot, then Compline, the night prayer of the Church at 7:30 pm.
May the Lord increase the faith, hope and love of all who follow Christ in this holy season of Lent!