Community

The emphasis on charity found in the Rule of St. Augustine is echoed in our Constitutions: It is in the Spirit that we receive the Word from God the Father with one faith, contemplate him with one heart, and praise him with one voice. In him we are made one body, share in the one bread, and finally hold all things in common.

Flowing from the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Liturgical Hours are times of private prayer. Here, especially during her hour of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, each Sister is free to follow her own heartfelt devotions. Having Jesus present to us in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, with His Sacred Heart ceaselessly loving us and blessing us, is a great consolation, not only to us but to the many people who stop in our chapel for a time of quiet prayer. Put Jesus in the middle, it is said, and everything else will come round.

Our main work is chanting the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day. But all the other tasks which fill our day, however humble, “go out” to help save souls if we “offer it up” to Jesus. So simply following the daily horarium, living the common life day in and day out, provides many opportunity to sacrifice oneself for souls.

Recreation, too, can provide an opportunity of practicing charity, as knitting and other handiwork become gifts for those in need.