The sunlight is beginning to fade and as the clock approaches 4PM, the Sacristan-Sister silently enters the sanctuary to prepare for the highlight of this evening, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
She lights the candles, prepares the incense and brings out the golden monstrance as the assigned Sister prays in readiness to expose the Most Holy Sacrament.
Other Sisters have gathered in the choir and sing the hymn for Exposition and the following forty minutes count many intimate conversations between Our Lord and the Sisters. The Superior begins the Rosary before evening prayer, five decades dedicated to a special intention for that day. Evening prayer is chanted facing Him Exposed in the Monstrance as the sun sinks further into the horizon outside.
After this extended prayer time, a silent supper with spiritual reading follows.
Then, recreation! In our Assembly Room, the entire community rejoices with one another, speaking, doing hand crafts, and on selected days, playing board games. Laughter flows out into the corridor as we share incidents from our lives.
Obedience calls us back to the Presence of God, always among us, and we share prayer requests and announcements after the Superior gives her carefully pondered directives and news.
Night prayer follows, with an examination of conscience.The lights dim as we sing our joy to Our Blessed Mother and address St. Michael for protection.
Silently we return to the dormitories for the night’s rest. St. Francis de Sales’ Directory provides specific guidelines for this time of the day as well:
“While undressing, they should keep their mind attentive as much as possible to the point to be taken for meditation.
In bed they ought to remember that Our Lord and saints used to sleep on the cold ground, and how much they are obliged to love and serve him, since his gentle goodness provides for their slightest comforts in such a fatherly way. Lying there, they should picture to themselves that one day they will be like this in the grave and ask God to assist them at the hour of death. Let them act as if they were seeing Our Lord with their own eyes, for he really sees them in this action as well as in any other.They should always try to fall asleep with some good thought.
If they awaken during the night, they will stir up their heart immediately with these words:At midnight someone shouted: The groom is here! Come out and greet him. (Matthew 25:6)
From the view of the darkness around them, they will turn to a consideration of the darkness of their own soul and of all sinners and offer this prayer:O Lord, since your merciful heart made you come down from heaven to earth to visit us, please enlighten those who lie prostrate in the darkness of ignorance and in the shadow of eternal death; if it be your will , guide them also into the path of interior peace.(Luke :78-79)
At times they will turn to their God, their Savior, and say You neither slumber nor sleep, you who guard the Israel of our souls(Psalm 121:7)”
Soon morning will arrive and another day with the Lord Jesus will begin, for the GLORY OF GOD!
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