A Typical Day
One of the first questions we are always asked is, "What do you do
all day?" The idea that contemplative nuns might actually be quite
busy is obviously difficult to grasp! Here is what a typical day
looks like at Hendred. You can see some more photos in the Gallery
pages.5.00 a.m. Get up, etc. Time for prayer and reading before the day's noise and busy-ness intrudes. (Some members of the community are up nearer 4.00a.m. than 5.00 a.m but they have to be extra quiet.) Breakfast is usually eaten before or after Lauds.
6.00 a.m. Vigils, the first of the day's offices or services, a mixture of psalms and scriptures. A meditative start to the day.
7.15 a.m. Lauds or Morning Prayer, sung in English. Afterwards we each begin our work for the day, not forgetting the housework!
At some stage in the morning we usually have Mass, the high-point of the day. It is especially good to be able to have Mass in the oratory, where we can use some of the traditional plainsong chants as well as more modern English settings.
12.30 Midday Prayer, sung in English.
1.00 p.m. Lunch, which is shared with guests and visitors. In summer we are able to eat in the garden which makes even the dullest meal festive.
1.45 p.m. Work begins again . . .
4.00 p.m. or thereabouts, we generally have a cup of tea.
At some point in the afternoon or evening, each nun will make time for more prayer and reading. As a minimum, we are committed to two half hours of contemplative prayer every day (more on feast days) and at least half an hour of "lectio divina" or prayerful reading. There are also opportunities for further study since as Benedictines we prize learning. In fact, the library was one of the first things we set about making here in Hendred.
6.00 p.m. Vespers, sung in Latin, and followed by supper.
After Vespers everyone uses the time as she judges best: for prayer; correspondence; planning talks; in short, whatever needs to be done, or for a hobby or particular interest she may have.
8.15 p.m. Compline or Night Prayer, sung in English. Afterwards comes the special time known as the Great Silence which lasts until Lauds the following day, when no one speaks or makes any unnecessary noise. We are free to go to bed after Compline (if we can) and Lights Out is at 11.00 p.m.