Prayer
Prayer is at the center of our lives. We come together each day to pray the Liturgy of the Hours and celebrate the Eucharist. We also practice lectio divina and other devotions individually.
The alternation of prayer and work is the rhythmic breathing of the monastic day and gives our Benedictine life its most basic form. Gathering in the early morning for prayer in the abbey church, we go forth to work, assemble for prayer at midday, share a meal, return to work, and finally conclude our day with prayer. Hearing Word of God together in the liturgy and individually calls us back to our Christian purpose and opens us to the possibilities for service and encounter with Christ that each day brings.
The call to monastic life flows naturally into the call to service of others for the love of Christ. Saint Benedict's Rule says simply, "Let the brothers serve one another." The monks of Saint John's have always understood this command to extend beyond the walls of the monastery into local, regional, and global communities.
Some 150 years after our arrival in central Minnesota, we continue our service to the Chruch and world by our life of prayer, and through our work in our graduate School of Theology and Seminary, Saint John's University and Saint John's Preparatory School and a host of workshops, The Liturgical Press, praishes and chaplaincies, missions abroad, and sponosored programs. The new Abbey Guesthouse responds to the emerging need in today's world for a place of spiritual rest and renewal. The Saint John's Bible is also an example of the monks sharing their exploration of a work of art that unites an ancient Benedictine tradition with the technology and vision of today, illuminating the Word of God for a new millennium.
Join us for prayer!
Guests are always welcome to join the monks for daily prayers and Eucharist. Please come up to the choir stalls on the west side of the altar, and a monk will help you get settled. Seating for Sunday Eucharist is in the main body of the church.
7:00 am Morning Prayer
Noon Midday Prayer
5:00 pm Weekday Eucharist
7:00 pm Evening Prayer
Saturday Eucharist - 11:30 am
Sunday Eucharist - 10:30 am
Sunday Evening Prayer - 5:00 pm
