Print Issue: March 28, 2002

Vespers

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

The setting sun gives off a warm glow on the face of the Abbey Church. Like the monks who reside there, the church architecture is designed to reflect monastic spirituality and values.

By Deacon Michael Balfour
Photography by Michael Alexander

Now in the darkness of night, the monks gather, cloaked and cowled, each to his place in choir. When the bell stills to silence, the abbot will make a knocking sound from his seat and the age-old psalms are sung in thanksgiving for another day to praise and toil for God.

Nearing the end of the office, all lights are extinguished in the church and the stained glass Salve window over the high altar is illuminated with light. The glowing image of Mary, the Mother of God, surrounded by images of the Trinity, is the focal point for the monks as they will chant a hymn in honor of the Virgin.

As the office concludes, the prayer is lifted to God...

"O Lord our God, we come to the end of a day of work and prayer. Refresh our weary limbs with sleep, and so renew us with your saving help, that, body and soul, we may remain forever consecrated to your service. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen."

The monks file out of both sides of the choir seats and walk in silence to the altar where the abbot stands ready to sprinkle them with holy water as they process out of the darkened church to retire for the night.

From "the Rule of St. Benedict:"

"No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself, but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers; to God, loving fear; to their abbot, unfeigned and humble love. Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ, and may he bring us all together to everlasting life."
RB 73.1

The monk's day has ended, and once again, the Grand Silence has begun until tomorrow. It is now a time of absolute privacy between monk, his God and the gift of sleep.

For information about visiting or seeking information on attending a retreat at Our Lady of Holy Spirit Abbey, call (770) 760-0959 or write to Guestmaster, Abbey of Our Lady of Holy Spirit, 2625 Highway 212 S.W., Conyers, Georgia 30094-4044. E-mail rhouse@trappist.net. Retreats are normally scheduled between: Monday after 1 p.m. through Thursday, 1 p.m.; or Friday after 1 p.m. through Sunday, 1 p.m. Individual groups of different religious backgrounds are welcome. A retreat director is available for those wishing his assistance. Those staying or wishing to visit may attend any of the offices that are held in the abbey church: Vigils (4 a.m.); Lauds, morning prayer, and community Mass (7 a.m.); Vespers, evening prayer (5:30 p.m.); Compline, night prayer (8 p.m.). Sunday evenings, Benediction and Compline (8 p.m.)

A Monk's Day >>