Divine office

Seven times a day,
I will proclaim your praises

(Psalm 118:164).

The monks put these words of the Psalm into practice.

The essence of their lives, in fact, consists in giving God the worship he deserves, especially through liturgical prayer. Saint Benedict attaches such importance to it that he prescribes: “Absolutely nothing is to be preferred to the Divine Office” (Rule of Saint Benedict, chapter 43). This is composed mainly of the singing of the Psalms and readings from the Bible. From the very beginning of its history, the Church has promoted this type of prayer, inherited from the Old Testament tradition and used by Christ Himself and His Apostles.

Our abbey maintains the official language of the Church in its liturgy, Latin, and sings its Offices using Gregorian melodies, which are so conducive to prayer. Early in the morning, the Office begins with the Vigils, which are celebrated at night. This is a long Office comprising Psalms and readings. Then comes the Office of Lauds, which inaugurates the day. The day is marked by the Petites Heures of Tierce, Sexte and None, the first at the beginning of the conventual Mass, the other two before and after lunch. Vespers closes the afternoon’s work, and Compline ends the day before the night’s rest. The community Mass is placed at the heart of the day, at the end of the morning, to radiate throughout the day.

Guests can follow the Divine Offices and Mass in the Latin-French books provided. > Offices timetable