“The Liturgy of the Hours is a school of continual prayer”. – OCSO Constitution 19.2

Flowing from the liturgy comes the grace to live mindful of God. For this we need training. We need training to be discerning: what helps me to be attentive to the Holy Spirit; what draws me away from singleness of heart and mindfulness of God? Good interpersonal relationships certainly help. Reflection on what helps and what hinders guides our social communication and relationships. What supports my inner peace, my inner prayer? What distracts? The structures of quiet, silence, peaceful communication, help us grow in a discipline of mind and heart so that we can be attentive to the Holy Spirit. It is through God’s Word that we are trained to be responsive to the Holy Spirit and continual mindfulness of God’s presence. For the liturgy to be a school of continual prayer we need to hear the readings clearly, knowing that we are nourished and helped at the table of the Word. We carry these words in our hearts and allow them to shape our attitudes, responses, and behaviour.

We have silent prayer together each day for 20 minutes after Vigils and after Vespers. Being in silent prayer together is a powerful experience of support and enables us to be faithful in listening and interiorising the Word we have just heard. Twice weekly we have Adoration from Vespers to Compline. In this extended time of silent prayer we intercede and pray for all in special need. Our visitors and guests join us for all these prayer times as they wish.