A Life Rooted in Prayer
At Seligenthal Abbey, life follows the rhythm of prayer, work, and silence, with every day carefully ordered around the Divine Office and the Mass. As a Cistercian community, our daily schedule is anchored in the tradition of St. Benedict’s Rule, where prayer frames every moment, from the break of dawn until the close of night. Every hour is an opportunity to live more fully in the presence of God, whether in communal worship or personal tasks. Here is a glimpse into a typical day at Seligenthal Abbey.
6:00 AM: Vigils and Lauds
The day begins early with Vigils at 6:00 AM, one of the most profound and important prayers of the day. Vigils, also known as the Office of Readings, is a deep immersion into scripture and prayer. Besides the hymn and a series of psalms, the office consists of a longer reading from scripture, the Church Fathers or other spiritual writings. The psalms at Vigils are often more extensive than at other times of the day, telling the history of God with his people, allowing us to engage deeply with the Word of God as we prepare to meet the day ahead.
Vigils sets the tone for the day, grounding us in readings offering nourishment for both mind and soul.
Following Vigils, we pray Lauds, the morning prayer of praise. This prayer calls us to greet the new day with gratitude, focusing on the coming tasks with a spirit of openness and devotion.
7:00 AM: Holy Mass
At 7:00 AM, we celebrate the Holy Mass, the spiritual heart of our day. The Mass is the culmination of our prayers, where Christ becomes present in the Eucharist, and we are strengthened by His grace to carry His love into the world. For us at Seligenthal, this is more than a moment of worship; it is the central act of our daily life, where everything we do finds its true meaning. The simple beauty of the Mass, set against the historic architecture of the abbey's church, elevates the soul and reminds us of the sacredness of every moment.
8:00 AM: Morning Work
After Mass, we begin our work. At Seligenthal, work takes many forms, from tending the gardens to assisting in the abbey’s schools, where we work with children from the age of 3 to 18. As Cistercian nuns, we believe that work is a form of prayer itself, a way to glorify God by offering our talents and time for the good of the community. Whether it’s teaching, organizing the library, or preparing meals, each task is a way to live out our vocation with love and purpose.
For me, one of the most rewarding aspects of the day is working with the children. With them I am constantly reminded of Christ’s call to care for the innocent and vulnerable. Seeing the joy and curiosity of the children reminds me that our work, however humble, is a path to God.
12:00 PM: Midday Prayer
At 12:00 PM, we pause for Midday Prayer. This brief yet essential time in the church allows us to step away from our work and refocus our hearts on God. The midday psalms and readings remind us to offer the fruits of our labor to Him and to seek His guidance as we continue our day. It’s a moment to realign ourselves with the rhythm of prayer, as work and worship flow together seamlessly.
1:00 PM: Lunch and Rest
After midday prayer, we come together for a communal meal. This time of shared nourishment strengthens our bond as sisters and allows us to reflect on the grace of the morning. Following lunch, there is time for rest or quiet reflection, an important part of our daily routine to restore our energy for the afternoon’s tasks.
The garden of Seligenthal is a favorite place for many during this time. Walking among the trees and flowers, offers a peaceful retreat from the busy world and a chance to connect with God through the beauty of creation.
2:00 PM: Afternoon Work
In the afternoon, we return to our work. Some sisters tend to the abbey’s practical needs, while others continue their work with the children or in the administration of the abbey’s educational institutions. I often spend my afternoons preparing lessons or helping the children with their homework. Another important part are meetings with pupils to talk about extra-curricular topics that are important for their lives, guiding them not only in academic studies but also in spiritual and personal growth.
As I engage with the students, I see the unique opportunity to help them explore their gifts and begin to discern their paths in life. It is an honor to witness their transformation as they mature, discover new insights, and begin to see their potential.
5:30 PM: Vespers
As the sun begins to set, we gather for Vespers at 5:30 PM, the evening prayer of thanksgiving. This is a moment of deep reflection, a time to give thanks for the day’s work and to offer our accomplishments, struggles, and hopes to God. Vespers includes the chanting of psalms and hymns, as well as a short reading from scripture. The warm light of the setting sun streaming through the church windows creates a serene and sacred atmosphere, inviting us to pause and draw closer to God.
6:00 PM: Dinner and Recreation
Following Vespers, we enjoy dinner together in community. After the meal, we have a period of recreation, where we spend time in conversation, play games, practice chants, plan the next dayys or simply enjoy one another’s company. This time of informal gathering is a way to relax and strengthen our sense of sisterhood.
7:30 PM: Compline
The day closes with Compline at 7:30 PM, the night prayer. This prayer is a peaceful conclusion to the day, with its soothing psalms and prayers offering a deep sense of trust and surrender to God. At Compline, we entrust our lives into His hands, asking for protection through the night and for the grace to rise again in the morning. The final hymn, the Salve Regina, is a beautiful reminder of Mary’s motherly care, as we place our hopes and burdens before her.
Conclusion: A Life of Prayer and Presence
Life at Seligenthal Abbey is steeped in a rhythm of prayer, with each moment an invitation to encounter God. The structure of our day, from Vigils in the early morning to Compline at night, helps us remain centered on Christ, who is at the heart of everything we do. Every detail of our daily life—from the prayers to the tasks we perform—is designed to glorify God and lift our souls toward Him.
This rhythm, cultivated by almost 800 years of prayerful living, has formed the very walls of the abbey. The architecture, the art, the gardens, and even the smallest details, such as the intricately crafted doors, reflect the purpose of monastic life: to honor God in all things and to elevate the spirit to Him.
In this sacred space, we are constantly reminded that our lives, like our prayers, are part of something much greater—a tradition of devotion that stretches across the centuries and unites us with those who came before us and those who will follow.
Here, in the quiet beauty of Seligenthal, we live out our calling to serve God, day by day, prayer by prayer.
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