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A day in the life of a Carthusian
This is a timetable of a typical week-day for a cloister
monk. An average day which will vary from house to house, from monk to
monk, and from one day to another. In grey are the conventual Offices in
the Chapel.
Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers et
Complines name the Offices which punctuate the day. Each canonical
Office is accompanied (either preceeded or followed) by the Office of
Our Lady, the Virgin Mary.
| 11:30pm |
Rise - Prayer in Cell |
This nocturnal prayer in solitude is particularly appreciated
by many. |
| 0:15am |
Matins followed by Lauds |
In the Chapel. This office last two to three
hours depending on the day or the Feast. |
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Lauds of Our Lady |
In cell. Praise to God with the Virgin Mary. Then back to
sleep. |
| 6:30am |
Rise |
The time is approximate. To be ready for Prime. |
| 7:00am |
Prime - Angelus |
After the Angelus, the time is consecrated to Prayer
or Lectio Divina (e.g. prepartion of the Mass
readings).
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| 8:00am |
Conventual Mass |
In the Chapel. |
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Thanksgiving - Lectio Divina |
Lectio Divina is a meditative reading of the Bible.
This time can also be used for prayer. |
| 10:00am |
Terce |
Approximatively every two hours an Office is recited : Terce
is one of them. |
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Study or Manual Work |
No manual work before Terce. It can be done morning and
afternoon, or all at once. |
| 12:00am |
Angélus - Sext |
Recitation of the Office of Sext |
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Meal- Recreation |
The time of recreation may be employed freely. reading,
working, gardening, or enjoying the sun.....when it shines. |
| 2:00pm |
None |
Recitation of the Office of None |
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Manual Work (1hr) Study |
The time accorded to each depends on the individual in
negociation with his Superior. (Prior or Novice Master) |
| 4:00pm |
Vespers of Our Lady |
Praise to God with the Virgin Mary. |
| 4:15pm |
Vespers |
In Church |
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Collation - Reading - Prayer |
Reading of the Bible, a spiritual writer, or other appropriate
material. The collation is a light meal, taken any time between
Vespers and Complines. |
| 6:45pm |
Angélus - Complines |
Recitation of Complines, the last Office of the day. |
| 7:30pm |
Bedtime |
Advisable before 8:00pm. |
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