In accordance with ancient tradition the community prays at sunrise (Matins and Lauds) and sunset (Vespers), during the day (Midday Prayer) and at night (Compline). We pray at regular hours in order to sanctify the day and all our human activity, so that we ourselves may become a
"living sacrifice of praise to God."
Each of the “hours” that we celebrate in Church has its own particular character.
Matins or Vigils
is the night-watch hour where we try to be “vigilant” in listening to the word of God and the teaching of the ancient writers and saints of the Church.
Lauds
takes us out of darkness into light as we recall the resurrection of the Christ and “the loving kindness of the heart of our God who visits us like the dawn from on high” as we recall as we sing in the Song of Zechariah. As we welcome the light of a new day we pray that we may be light to others. So we begin the day with lauds, which simply means praise.
At Vespers
we thanks for what has been, and pray that God will accept the offering of our day with whatever it has brought – its joys and disappointments. The psalmist prays that God will receive our offering: “Let my prayer arise before you like incense, the raising of my hands like an evening oblation,” We join with Mary in her hymn of thanks, the Magnificat.
At Compline
we briefly review our day, pray for God’s blessing as we enter the hours of darkness, and ask that he grant us “a quiet night and a perfect end.”