THE MONKS of St. Andrew's Abbey gather for prayer in the monastery chapel five times a day, where guests are always welcome. Additional time during the morning and evening is spent in lectio divina, a slow contemplative reading of the Scriptures which enables the Bible, the Word of God, to serve as a means for entering into the presence of God.

THE HORARIUM or daily schedule at Valyermo is a modern adaptation of the cycle of prayer and work prescribed by St. Benedict in his Rule. Periods of common and private prayer, manual labor, and study are intertwined, so that the entire day can take on the character of Divine Praise. The daily schedule is as follows:

          

           6:00 a.m. VIGILS, the first communal prayer of the day 

           6:30-7:30 lectio divina

           7:30 LAUDS, (Morning Prayer) 

 

           8:00 Silent breakfast 

           8:30-11:30 Class and study for the formation group; assigned work for others 

           12:00 CONVENTUAL MASS 

 

           1:00 p.m. Lunch with the guests 

           1:30-4:00 Assigned work

           4:00-5:30 Study, rest, or exercise 

           5:30 lectio divina 

           6:00 VESPERS, (Evening Prayer)

 

           6:30 Dinner in silence

           8:00-8:30 Community recreation  

           8:30 COMPLINE, (Night Prayer)

 

           Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is on Mondays at 8:15. 

 

           Grand Silence follows, which lasts until after breakfast of the following morning