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The convent follows a normal monastic day, which is fairly typical of other convents in their order. The timetable has changed little since 1864. The sisters rise at 5.45 a.m. and retire for the night at 8.00 p.m. Their day is full and varied. Since the Eucharist is the source and summit of their lives, the celebration of Mass is at the centre of every day. Sisters then take it in turn to keep vigil around the clock before the Blessed Sacrament. The community gathers seven times a day in the Convent Chapel to recite the Divine Office of the Church, while the Rosary is prayed twice daily. Time must also be found for work, study, personal prayer and spiritual reading. Correspondence must be attended to and visitors greeted at the door. Meals and recreation are also important moments in a very busy programme.
Since 1991 more than two hundred lay people from Drumshanbo and surrounding parishes join the sisters on rota each day from 6 a.m. until midnight in quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The experience has been immensely enriching to the sisters and the wider community alike. |
