WEEKDAYS (SPENT IN SILENCE & SOLITUDE)

4.30am, gong, rise for prayer

(6.00am Matins)*

lectio divina

8.00 Lauds, Reading of Rule

Hermitage Rule*

During the day an average of 5hrs allowed for work generating income or “work in kind.”

Little hours ad lib. in cell

Pittance available until 9.30am, collation available 11.30am-2pm

Meal preparation and maintenance chores by rota: meals can be taken in cell or refectory

(c. 5.30pm as needed: any necessary questions re. marking Office or next day’s work)

6.00 pm  Vespers

(includes communion from the reserve sacrament if no Mass)

Supper available c. 7.15 pm

Compline and prayer in cell

9.00 Retire

9.30 nox.

* Many hermits prefer to pray Matins as part of their long morning prayer session. Consequently, Matins together by two or more persons on weekdays is a voluntary arrangement. It certainly helps beginners to get used to getting up in the morning!

*A Hermitage Rule is the way each person organises their time. Regularity is important in the hermit life, and this covers the broad outline re. prayer, meals, fasting, the type and time of work and recreation.

WEEKLY VARIATIONS

Sundays & Feastdays

8.30 Lauds

Extra time for lectio divina after Lauds

Wednesday Night

7pm Mass & Exposition

Friday Desert Day

Greater silence all day.

All Offices in cell, individual long walks.

Saturday

After Lauds, Liturgy for week ahead

General chores and admin

4.00pm Tea. Study of Rule.

5.00pm Vespers

6.30pm Vigil Mass of Sunday

Caritas, collation available after Mass.

Sunday

1.00 Sunday Lunch

Recreation ( usually a walk, about 2hrs)

Silent tea after walk c. 4pm

6.00pm Vespers

Collation available after Vespers.

7.15pm Bible Study and Chapter

8pm Compline/Exposition

MONTHLY VARIATIONS

First Sunday of Month

Day of Recollection (no walk)

Individual discernment meetings (1hr.)

SEASONAL VARIATIONS

Summer- Divine Office in Church

Winter- Divine Office in Oratory

Advent & Lent

Evening meal with teaching tapes

Holy Week & Easter Week, Christmastide

Special timetable

Summer ‘holiday’

(the fortnight after the Summer School) 

Annual Hermitage retreats

1. November to First Vespers Advent

1. 1.Christmas II to the Presentation (Feb.2)
   

Communion from reserve sacrament daily.

Usual offices together on Feasts

Colour indicates prayer or work together

( ) variable

If not coloured text, this time is spent alone.

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