Friday, September 14, 2012

Monastic Goodnight

Darkness falls around the monastery.  Recreation is over, and it's time for the Night Office.  The Sisters end their day where they began it, in the presence of their Lord.

The chant of Night Office lulls, comforts, hushes, swaddles, soothes souls into rest.  As the prayer draws to a close, the Sisters will turn toward an icon of Our Blessed Mother and sing a hymn to conclude this monastic day.  And then Grand Silence will fall upon the monastery, after which no one will speak.  

Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.


Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace....





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