Print Issue: March 28, 2002

Vespers

Introduction • Vigils • Lauds • Terce • Sext • None • Vespers • Compline

Father Steven Scherrer, sits in the rear of the abbey church during the 20 minutes of community meditation that takes place daily following Vespers (evening prayer).

By Deacon Michael Balfour
Photography by Michael Alexander

Precisely at 5:30 p.m., the bell calls them to Vespers or evening prayer in the church. They again arrive to take their same seats in choir and the office ends at 6 p.m.

From 6 to 6:20 p.m., the community is in silent meditation. They then leave in silence and proceed to the refectory for supper until 7 p.m.

Supper is a much simpler meal than midday dinner. Fruits, cheese, bread, butter and soup are laid out. As opposed to the community gathering, standing and praying together before the meal, the evening supper is less structured. The light streaming through the large stained glass windows is weaker and less brilliant than from the midday light. The colors are softer and hint of the coming evening. The monks come in quietly, serve themselves, pray quietly, eat and leave separately. Many choose to skip this meal entirely out of an effort of personal sacrifice. It is a quiet and much less attended meal.

Those assigned to the kitchen and dishwashing again take up their duties to clear the way for the preparation of breakfast.

The time following supper is dedicated to personal prayer leading up to a chapter talk at 7:45 p.m.

The brothers gather together either in the chapter room or in a larger space now serving as the scriptorium. It's a long room similar to the refectory space in a different wing facing the cloister garden. The room is arranged for classes or talks with a large chalkboard and a projection screen rolled up at one end of the room. Chairs are set in a long u-shaped arrangement. The brothers gather and the abbot may choose to address the community on business or needs of the house or may speak to them on spiritual matters.

Each Wednesday evening, there is a separate novice chapter talk in the novitiate for those studying for entry into the community. The novice master sits in a circle with those in his charge and a discussion is held concerning a request by the abbot for them to prepare a Lenten penitential service.

This evening the abbot addressed the entire community about his concerns for the need of each brother to prepare spiritually for Holy Week. He encouraged each of the brothers to internally search for ways they could better place themselves spiritually to help make the experience of the coming holiest week of the church year a more enriching experience for each of them.

At 8:15 p.m., following chapter talk, the bell will ring the Angelus over the abbey grounds and call the brothers to the last office of the day, Compline.

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